World of Warcraft (WoW) is regularly supplied with new expansions. We show you the order of all add-ons of the game in an overview with the release years.
What expansions bring: The expansions bring new content to World of Warcraft and change the limit of the max level. If you own the base game, you only need to buy the latest add-on to access its content as well as the content of the older ones.
Release overview of the add-ons:
- WoW “Vanilla” (2004) – The main game
- WoW Classic (2019)
- WoW: The Burning Crusade (2007)
- The Burning Crusade Classic (2021)
- WoW: Wrath of the Lich King (2008)
- Wrath of the Lich King Classic (2022)
- WoW: Cataclysm (2010)
- WoW: Mists of Pandaria (2012)
- Mists of Pandaria Classic (2025)
- WoW: Warlords of Draenor (2014)
- WoW: Legion (2016)
- WoW: Battle for Azeroth (2018)
- WoW: Shadowlands (2020)
- WoW: Dragonflight (2022)
- WoW: The War Within (August 26, 2024)
- WoW: Midnight (March 3, 2026)
We show you in the overview which new content and changes the add-ons brought.
The Burning Crusade
Release: January 15, 2007
Content:
- New max level 70
- New races: Blood Elves (Horde), Draenei (Alliance)
- New world: Outland
- New profession: Jewelcrafting
- Additional content: Flying mounts, arena (PvP), dungeon finder, guild bank
Wrath of the Lich King
Release: November 13, 2008
Content:
- New max level 80
- New race: Death Knights
- New world: Northrend
- New profession: Inscription
- Additional content: Achievements, siege weapons, cross-realm dungeon finder
Cataclysm
Release: December 7, 2010
Content:
- New max level 85
- New races: Goblins (Horde), Worgen (Alliance)
- New world: Areas before “The Burning Crusade” reworked
- New profession: Archaeology
- Additional content: Transmog system, void storage, raid browser, Darkmoon Island
What you need to know about Cataclysm Classic
Mists of Pandaria
Release: September 25, 2012
Content:
- New max level 90
- New races: Pandaren, New class: Monk
- New world: Pandaria
- New profession: None
- Additional content: Pet battles, challenge mode for dungeons, account-wide usable items, cross-realm, Battle-tag, scenarios, combat guild, flex raids
Warlords of Draenor
Release: November 13, 2014
Content:
- New max level 100
- New race: None, but visual overhaul of all classes before Cataclysm
- New world: Draenor
- New profession: None
- Additional content: Shipyard, garrison, mythic dungeons, WoW token, bonus events on the map, adventure guide
Legion
Release: August 30, 2016
Content:
- New max level 110
- New race: None, but new class Demon Hunter
- New world: The Broken Isles
- New profession: None
- Additional content: Artifact weapons, order halls, world quests, overhauls of legendary items, transmog and PvP progress
Battle for Azeroth
Release: August 14, 2018
Content:
- New max level 120
- New races: Highmountain Tauren (Horde), Nightborn (Horde), Mag’har Orcs (Horde), Zandalari Trolls (Horde), Void Elves (Alliance), Lightforged Draenei (Alliance), Dark Iron Dwarves (Alliance), Kul Tirans (Alliance)
- New world: Kul Tiras, Zandalar
- New profession: None
- Additional content: Warfronts, Heart of Azeroth, looting unexplored islands, communities
Shadowlands
Release: November 24, 2020
Content:
- New max level 60
- New races: None. But revamped visual customizations.
- New world: Shadowlands
- New profession: None
- Additional content: “Endless” dungeons (Torghast), covenants, leveling phase overhauled, new character customizations, new starting area (isle of exile) for new players
Dragonflight
Release: November 29, 2022
Content:
- New max level 70
- New races: New race “Dracthyr” with the class “Evoker”.
- New world: The Dragon Isles
- New profession: Existing profession system comprehensively overhauled, with profession gear and new tools.
- Additional content: Dragon riding as a new feature, new talent system, new user interface
Everything you need to know about the release of WoW Dragonflight, you can find here with us at MeinMMO. We show you guides, news, and opinions around the content of World of Warcraft.
The War Within
Release: August 26, 2024
Content:
- New max level 80
- Hero talents for all specializations
- New world: Khaz Algar
- Depths as new solo endgame content
- New race: Earthen
- Start of the World Soul campaign
- War Covenant as account-wide unlock of all content
- Transmog can be unlocked with any character in the collection – even if the character cannot wear an armor
- Solo queue for rated battlegrounds
Midnight
Release: March 3, 2026
Content:
- New max level 90
- New specialization for Demon Hunters: Devourer
- Takes place in Quel’Thalas – the north of the Eastern Kingdoms
- New allied race: The Haranir
- New hunting system for more targets in the open world
- Housing allows every player to buy a dwelling and decorate it
Midnight has already launched and has captured many fans. The story around the Sunwell and Xal’atath was convincing. Nonetheless, many non-players are asking the question of whether World of Warcraft is still worth it in 2026. Our WoW expert Cortyn has tackled the issue and explains what you need to pay attention to: Is World of Warcraft still worth it in 2026?
Your opinion is important to us!
Do you like the article? Then let us know!