How and when to watch the Xbox March 2026 Partner Preview showcase — S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Stranger Than Heaven, and more!
The next Xbox Partner Preview is almost here, bringing updates on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Stranger Than Heaven, and more, alongside fresh reveals for Xbox consoles and PC.
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The next Xbox Partner Preview, a showcase focused on third-party games coming to the platform, is upon us!
The latest showcase will focus entirely on games produced by studios that don't belong to Microsoft, so don't expect any updates on Halo or Gears of War here. It's going down today, March 26, so there's not long to wait.
Here’s everything you need to know, including when and where to watch.
What to expect from the Xbox Partner Preview
This will also be the first showcase under new CEO Asha Sharma; however, these showcases take a lot of preparation time, and it was most likely in the works under previous leadership at Xbox.
With that said, starting off, Xbox has confirmed the showcase will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 10am Pacific. Check the handy table below to see how that converts to where you are.
City / Region | Time Zone | Local Start Time |
|---|---|---|
Los Angeles (PT) | PDT | 10:00 AM |
Mexico City | CST | 11:00 AM |
New York (ET) | EDT | 1:00 PM |
São Paulo | BRT | 2:00 PM |
London / Lisbon | GMT | 5:00 PM |
Berlin / Paris / Rome | CET | 6:00 PM |
Johannesburg / Cairo | SAST/EET | 7:00 PM |
Istanbul / Riyadh | TRT | 8:00 PM |
Tokyo / Seoul | JST/KST | 2:00 AM (March 27) |
Sydney / Melbourne | AEDT | 4:00 AM (March 27) |
More interestingly, though, is what will actually be shown. Stranger Than Heaven is the first game we know of, developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. It is described as a detective game set in 20th-century Japan, but not much else is known so far.
Next, fans can expect an update on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. That could mean anything at this stage, but the game launched first on Xbox and we're keen to see what's next.
Another that stands out is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. It is one of my more anticipated titles and looks to capture the feel of games like Mass Effect, especially for fans of The Expanse TV series.
Outside of this, fans can also expect to see upcoming games from SEGA, GSC Game World and Owlcat Games, however, these are the studios involved in developing the aforementioned games, so keep your expectations in check.
Finally, Xbox says this is not all, teasing first looks and new announcements for games coming to Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass.
The showcase will be streamed on YouTube and Twitch and you can watch the YouTube stream with the embedded video player above.
Chat all things Xbox March Partner Preview with us on our subreddit!
We'll be following the showcase closely and posting all the major news on the site, but we also want to hear from you!
Feel free to use the comments below to share your own thoughts, hopes, disappointments, or anything really connected to the showcase.
Additionally, come on over to our subreddit, and take part in our dedicated Xbox Partner Preview discussion thread. We'd love to hear from you!
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Adam is a Psychology Master’s graduate passionate about gaming, community building, and digital engagement. A lifelong Xbox fan since 2001, he started with Halo: Combat Evolved and remains an avid achievement hunter. Over the years, he has engaged with several Discord communities, helping them get established and grow. Gaming has always been more than a hobby for Adam—it’s where he’s met many friends, taken on new challenges, and connected with communities that share his passion.
- Richard DevineManaging Editor
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