Black Temple Opens August 27 as TBC Classic Enters Phase 3
Blizzard has confirmed that the free-to-play-with-subscription Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary realms will progress to Phase 3 on August 27, 2026 at 3:00 pm PDT, opening Black Temple, Battle for Mount Hyjal, Netherwing dailies, Epic Gems, and the start of Arena Season 3.
The most anticipated activity in Phase 3 is a showdown with Illidan Stormrage - Black Temple and Illidan Stormrage are the marquee draw, and both new raids gate the bulk of the phase's Epic Gem supply. Guilds that haven't finished attunements
What's in Phase 3
- Black Temple: Requires completing the attunement chain starting with The Tablets of Baa'ri, available from Arcanist Thelis (Scryers) or Anchorite Ceyla (Aldor). Bosses drop Epic Gems and grant Ashtongue Deathsworn reputation, with rewards eventually available from Okuno.
- Battle for Mount Hyjal: Unlocked via The Vials of Eternity questline, starting at Soridormi in the Caverns of Time. Grants Scale of the Sands reputation and access to Indormi's vendor inventory; the raid zone is also minable for Epic Gems.
- Netherwing faction: Daily quests at Netherwing Ledge in Shadowmoon Valley, with Epic flying mounts available at Exalted standing - requires a flying mount or flight form to reach.
- Epic Gems: Available through both raid instances,
- Arena Season 3: Begins September 1 following weekly maintenance. Season 2 ends August 18; remaining Arena points convert to Honor at a 1:10 ratio. Season 2 gear moves to Area 52 vendors at a discount, and Season 1 gear shifts to Honor vendors in Orgrimmar and Stormwind City.
Players watching where WoW Classic progression servers are heading next will note that Phase 3 still leaves Zul'Aman and Sunwell Plateau ahead on the roadmap, with no firm dates announced for either.
Further reading: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Realms Move to Phase 3 on August 27 - Blizzard Watch