If you’ve been staring at your PC or console dashboard wondering exactly when you can start slicing through enemies as Deadpool, you aren't alone. The hype for Season 6: Night at the Museum is reaching a fever pitch. Honestly, the wait for a new Marvel Rivals update always feels like forever, but the clock is ticking down fast.
We’re finally here in 2026, and NetEase has settled into a pretty predictable rhythm for these launches, though time zones still manage to confuse basically everyone. If you're on the East Coast, you're looking at an early morning start.
What Time Does Marvel Rivals Come Out EST for Season 6?
For those of us living in the Eastern Time Zone, Marvel Rivals Season 6 comes out at 4:00 AM EST on Friday, January 16, 2026.
It's a bit of a "set your alarm" situation if you want to be there the second the doors open. Most of the world follows a synchronized global rollout, which is why the times look so weird depending on where you live. While the official "global" time is 9:00 AM UTC, that translates to the middle of the night or early dawn for the US.
Global Launch Times Breakdown
Sometimes seeing the other zones helps the math make sense in your head. Here is how the 9:00 AM UTC rollout translates across the board:
- Pacific Standard Time (PST): 1:00 AM, January 16
- Central Standard Time (CST): 3:00 AM, January 16
- Eastern Standard Time (EST): 4:00 AM, January 16
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 9:00 AM, January 16
- Japan Standard Time (JST): 6:00 PM, January 16
Don’t forget about the downtime. NetEase usually pulls the servers offline about two hours before the actual launch. So, if you try to squeeze in one last match at 2:30 AM EST, you’re probably going to get kicked to the login screen. It’s better to just get some sleep and wake up ready to grind.
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Why Season 6 is a Massive Deal (Deadpool has arrived)
The biggest reason everyone is asking about the launch time is Deadpool. This isn't just another hero addition. He is the game’s first "Triple-Role" hero. That sounds kinda broken, right? Well, it sort of is.
Deadpool can swap between Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist roles mid-match. This is a first for Marvel Rivals. Usually, you’re locked into your role once the gates open, but Wade Wilson doesn’t really care about the rules. If your team is getting hammered and needs a tank, he can jump into the Vanguard role. If the healing is lacking, he can pivot.
But there’s a catch. In Competitive and Quick Match modes, you can only have one Deadpool per side. You won't be seeing teams of six Deadpools running around (thankfully).
New Map and Content
The season is titled "Night at the Museum," and it's centered around a heist. The Collector basically hired Deadpool and Elsa Bloodstone to grab some items, but in typical Deadpool fashion, he betrayed the boss and caused absolute chaos.
- New Map: Museum of Completion (a convoy map).
- New Feature: Photo Mode is finally here. You can hang out in Times Square and take filtered shots of your skins.
- The Clobberin’ Club: A new duel area in Times Square where you can 1v1 people while the rest of the lobby watches on the big screens.
Pre-loading and Installation Sizes
If you’re worried about your internet speed, you’ll want to have the game updated beforehand. For PC players on Steam or the official launcher, the update usually becomes available a few hours before the 4:00 AM EST launch.
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Console players on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S usually have a bit of a harder time with pre-loads for seasonal updates compared to the initial game launch. If you already have the game installed, your console should pick up the update automatically if it's in rest mode. Just make sure you have about 45 GB to 50 GB of free space. The game has grown a lot since it first launched back in late 2024, and these high-fidelity maps aren't small.
Handling the Launch Day "Login Errors"
Look, we've all been through this. 4:01 AM EST rolls around, you hit "Login," and you get a spinning circle or a "Server Offline" message.
NetEase has gotten better at capacity, but the Season 6 launch is expected to be one of the biggest yet because of the Deadpool hype. If you can’t get in immediately, don't panic. Check the official Marvel Rivals X (formerly Twitter) account or their Discord. Usually, if there's a major delay, they’ll post there within minutes.
Also, keep in mind that "Photo Mode" and the "Clobberin' Club" might be crowded. If the social hubs are laggy, jump straight into a match. The game prioritizes match servers over the social spaces during peak launch windows.
What Most People Get Wrong About Seasonal Resets
One thing that trips up players every season is what actually carries over. Your "Units" (the free currency) stay with you. Your "Unstable Molecules" stay too. But your rank? That’s getting a soft reset.
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If you were sitting comfortably in Gold or Platinum in Season 5, expect to be moved back down a bit. This is the "grind" part of the season. The good news is that Season 6 has a beefed-up "Hero Proficiency" system. The level caps for individual heroes have been raised, so even if your rank takes a hit, you can still show off your "Main" status with new titles and badges.
Your Launch Day Checklist
If you want to maximize your time on Friday morning, here is exactly what you should do:
- Check your storage tonight. Make sure you aren't deleting a game at 3:55 AM because the update won't fit.
- Verify your files. If you're on PC, use the Steam "Verify Integrity of Game Files" tool. It prevents those annoying "corrupt data" crashes that happen right when you find a match.
- Set your keybinds. The devs changed the default Team-up keybind for Jeff the Land Shark and Groot. If you play those characters, you’ll be sitting there hitting buttons and nothing will happen until you fix it in the settings.
- Save your controller configs. Season 6 adds a "Share the Genius" feature where you can save and swap controller layouts. If you’ve spent months perfecting your sensitivity, back it up.
The launch of Season 6 is basically a fresh start for the 2026 competitive year. Whether you're here for the $3 million Pro League or just want to see Deadpool break the fourth wall, 4:00 AM EST is the time to be ready.
Jump into the training range first to test Deadpool's role-swapping mechanic. It feels a bit weird at first, especially the transition animations, so getting a feel for the timing before you jump into a Ranked match will save you (and your teammates) a lot of frustration. See you in the Museum.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify Storage: Check that you have at least 50 GB of free space on your SSD to accommodate the Season 6 patch and temporary update files.
- Enable Auto-Update: Set your PS5, Xbox, or Steam client to "High Priority" for Marvel Rivals updates to ensure the download starts the moment it hits the servers.
- Review Patch Notes: Head to the official Marvel Rivals website to see the specific buffs and nerfs for your main hero, as the meta is shifting significantly with the Deadpool update.