Apex Legends Season 31, officially titled Cipher, is almost here, bringing a major Crypto rework, the Akimbo Wingman, Strongholds, and several changes to Ranked. With so many exciting additions on the way, players are naturally wondering when they can jump into the new season.
Respawn Entertainment has confirmed that Apex Legends Season 31 releases on November 3, 2026. The expected launch time is 10 AM Pacific Time, although EA’s official patch notes only confirm the date. Depending on where you live, the update could arrive on November 4 instead.
Here’s a breakdown of the Apex Legends Season 31 release date and time across different regions.
In Brief
- Release Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Expected Release Time: 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST / 6 PM GMT.
- Asia and Australia: Season 31 arrives on November 4 due to time zone differences.
- Major Additions: Crypto rework, Akimbo Wingman, Strongholds, Ranked Legend Bans, and Legend balance changes.
When Does Apex Legends Season 31 Release?
Apex Legends Season 31: Cipher is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at approximately 10 AM PST (6 PM UTC).
This follows Respawn Entertainment’s usual seasonal update schedule. While EA has officially confirmed November 3 as the release date, the exact launch hour has not been specified in its official Cipher patch notes.
For players in North America and Europe, the season is expected to arrive on November 3. However, players in several Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Bangladesh, will need to wait until the early hours of November 4.
The update is expected to become available simultaneously worldwide, meaning players won’t have to wait for separate regional launches.
Apex Legends Season 31 Release Time Across Different Time Zones
Below are the expected release times for Apex Legends Season 31 in major regions worldwide, based on the anticipated 10 AM PST launch.
| Region / Time Zone | Release Date | Release Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PST), Los Angeles | November 3 | 10:00 AM |
| Mountain Time (MST), Denver | November 3 | 11:00 AM |
| Central Time (CST), Chicago | November 3 | 12:00 PM |
| Eastern Time (EST), New York | November 3 | 1:00 PM |
| Brazil (BRT), São Paulo | November 3 | 3:00 PM |
| United Kingdom (GMT) | November 3 | 6:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CET) | November 3 | 7:00 PM |
| South Africa (SAST) | November 3 | 8:00 PM |
| Moscow (MSK) | November 3 | 9:00 PM |
| Dubai (GST) | November 3 | 10:00 PM |
| India (IST) | November 3 | 11:30 PM |
| Bangladesh (BST) | November 4 | 12:00 AM |
| Thailand (ICT) | November 4 | 1:00 AM |
| Indonesia (WIB), Jakarta | November 4 | 1:00 AM |
| Singapore (SGT) | November 4 | 2:00 AM |
| Philippines (PHT) | November 4 | 2:00 AM |
| China (CST) | November 4 | 2:00 AM |
| Japan (JST) | November 4 | 3:00 AM |
| South Korea (KST) | November 4 | 3:00 AM |
| Brisbane, Australia (AEST) | November 4 | 4:00 AM |
| Sydney, Australia (AEDT) | November 4 | 5:00 AM |
| New Zealand (NZDT) | November 4 | 7:00 AM |
Note: These times account for daylight saving changes in November 2026. The United States switched to standard time on November 1, meaning 10 AM Pacific Time corresponds to 6 PM GMT rather than 5 PM GMT.
Will Apex Legends Season 31 Release on November 4 in Asia and Australia?
Yes. Although the official worldwide release date is November 3, players in some parts of Asia and Oceania will receive the update on November 4.
For example, players in India can expect the update at 11:30 PM IST on November 3, while those in Bangladesh will see it arrive at midnight.
Meanwhile, Japanese and South Korean players can expect the season at 3 AM on November 4.
Australian players will have to get up pretty early if they want to play immediately. Season 31 is expected to arrive at 5 AM AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne.
Regardless of the local date, everyone should receive access during the same global rollout.
What’s Coming in Apex Legends Season 31?
Season 31 is shaping up to be a significant update, especially for players who enjoy experimenting with different Legends and weapons.
According to the official Apex Legends: Cipher patch notes, here are some of the biggest additions:
- Crypto Rework: Crypto’s Surveillance Drone now operates using a battery system, alongside a new Sentry Mode and an improved EMP ability.
- Akimbo Wingman: Players can dual-wield Wingman pistols, with the weapon also switching from Sniper Ammo to Heavy Ammo.
- Strongholds: New mid-game structures offer valuable loot, including Care Package weapons, but squads must capture them before claiming the rewards.
- Ranked Legend Bans: Diamond and higher Ranked matches introduce a Legend banning system, allowing players to vote on which Legends should be unavailable.
- Legend Balance Changes: Crypto, Lifeline, and Revenant receive changes designed to improve their effectiveness.
- Weapon Updates: Several weapons and attachments receive balancing adjustments intended to shake up the existing meta.
With Crypto getting a major overhaul and the Akimbo Wingman entering the weapon pool, Season 31 could bring some interesting changes to how squads approach fights.
How to Prepare for Apex Legends Season 31
If you’re planning to play Cipher as soon as it launches, there are a few things worth doing beforehand.
- Finish your Season 30 Battle Pass: Claim any remaining rewards before the previous season ends.
- Check for updates: Keep your game launcher ready and download the Season 31 update when it becomes available.
- Review the patch notes: Familiarize yourself with the Crypto rework, Ranked changes, and new weapon adjustments.
- Prepare for possible server issues: Major seasonal updates can attract large numbers of returning players, potentially causing temporary matchmaking delays.
The new season will be available on supported PC and console platforms, although update download times may vary depending on your platform and region.
With the release approaching, Apex Legends players have plenty to look forward to in Cipher. Whether you’re excited about the Akimbo Wingman, planning to main the reworked Crypto, or preparing to climb the Ranked ladder, November 3 is the date to mark on your calendar.
