The WordPress 7.0 Release parties are finally on the calendar. If you’ve been tracking the Phase 3 collaboration shifts or the new isolated editor features, you know this version is more than just a number bump. It is a major milestone scheduled for April 9, 2026, and the “Release Parties” are where the actual coordination, last-minute bug squashing, and mission control happen.
I’ve been through enough release cycles to tell you that these Slack sessions in #core are the best way to see how the sausage is made. Whether you are a veteran committer or a site owner curious about the roadmap, being present during the Beta and RC phases is how you avoid surprises when the update hits your production server.
The WordPress 7.0 Release Roadmap
The schedule kicks off in February and leads directly into a live General Release at WordCamp Asia 2026. For a deeper look at what’s coming, check out the WordPress 7.0 Roadmap and my recent notes from the latest dev chat agenda.
| Date (UTC) | Milestone | Lead / Emcee |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 19, 2026 | Beta 1 | @amykamala |
| Feb 26, 2026 | Beta 2 | @amykamala |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Beta 3 | @4thhubbard / @amykamala |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Beta 4 | @chaion07 / @amykamala |
| Mar 19, 2026 | RC 1 | @amykamala |
| Mar 26, 2026 | RC 2 | @4thhubbard |
| Apr 2, 2026 | RC 3 | @chaion07 |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Dry Run | Code Freeze (24hr) |
| Apr 9, 2026 | General Release | Live @ WordCamp Asia |
How to Participate in the Release Parties
All action happens in the #core channel on Making WordPress Slack. You don’t need to be a core contributor to join. In fact, if you’re running a complex WooCommerce stack or custom enterprise builds, I highly recommend hanging out in #core during the RC (Release Candidate) phase. It’s your early warning system for any breaking changes in the official 7.0 milestone.
- Beta Phase: Focuses on feature completion and early bug hunting.
- RC Phase: Strictly for regressions. No new features, just ensuring stability.
- Dry Run: The final 24-hour code freeze before the big push.
The final release is happening live during the WordCamp Asia 2026 Contributor Day. Even if you aren’t in Bangkok, the Slack channel remains the canonical source for the release process.
Look, if this WordPress 7.0 Release stuff is eating up your dev hours, let me handle it. I’ve been wrestling with WordPress since the 4.x days.
Final Takeaway
WordPress 7.0 is a turning point for Phase 3 (Workflows). Transitioning from a single-user editor to a collaborative environment introduces technical debt and potential race conditions that we haven’t dealt with before in Core. Don’t wait until April 10 to see if your site breaks. Join the parties, test the RCs, and ship with confidence.
