When is the Xbox Developer Direct? UK time and how to watch

The big day is here, and in short order, we'll get a glimpse of what's been cooking at team Microsoft, and so, we've got all you need to know about when the Xbox Developer Direct is and what to expect.

Not only that, but we'll also touch on when to watch the Xbox Developer Direct in the UK, and mercifully, it's at a humane time, unlike awards shows taking place in the US.

We're also expected something unexpected, but more on that later...

But what with the news of Xbox consoles not selling well and Game Pass price increases, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about, but despite hardware and wallet woes, first-party games from Xbox are usually great, such as The Outer Worlds 2 and Doom: The Dark Ages and can be played day-one on Game Pass.

Though if you have just picked up a new Xbox Ally (sans the X moniker), you might struggle to play some of the games on show.

But, as for when and where to watch the Xbox Developer Direct for January 2026, read on!

When is the Xbox Developer Direct?

The Xbox Developer Direct will take place Thursday 22nd January 2026.

As Developer Directs are prerecorded, it’s not taking place anywhere specific, so folks in Europe don’t have to accommodate late-evening awards shows or anything of the sort.

Mercifully, seeing as it is a prerecorded affair, it doesn’t have to be hosted live in the evening somewhere that is not Europe timezone-friendly, and as for the exact time, read on!

What is the UK start time for the Xbox Developer Direct?

The UK start time for the Xbox Developer Direct is 6PM GMT.

Perfect then for watching it as you get home from work, or were worried sick you wouldn’t have anything to watch during dinner – perish the thought!

Xbox Developer Direct’s are typically under an hour, so you won’t need to pull an all-nighter to watch it, unlike shows such as The Game Awards.

Be sure to set an alarm so you don’t miss it!

How to watch the Xbox Developer Direct?

You can watch the Xbox Developer Direct on YouTube.

We've included an embedded version for you to watch above, or you can go directly to the video page. Currently, there is a trailer in place that offers a brief glimpse of what's to come.

There is no waiting room, so you won't have a chance to express your hype to fellow fans in the hours preceding, but, in the meantime, you can check out all the upcoming games in 2026 and beyond to see what else there is to look forward to!

What to expect from the Xbox Developer Direct

Microsoft has revealed that we can expect to see Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation during the January 2026 Xbox Developer Direct.

There is also supposedly a fourth, secret game that is going to be shown, according to Shinobi602 on the Reset Era forums.

VGC has also corroborated this, stating that it is a “smaller-scale original game from one of Xbox Game Studios’ first-party developers”.

Probably not Gears of War E-Day, then…

But as for what we do know, we’ll no doubt get a proper in-depth look at Fable, with the greatest hits of a quest for players to complete. We should also get actual gameplay of Forza Horizon 6 and see how Playground Games has translated Japan into a game-friendly facsimile.

The real wild card is Beasts of Reincarnation from Game Freak, yes, that Game Freak that makes Pokémon games.

To see Game Freak create a game that is visually stunning is certainly something. It’s amazing what one can achieve when not beholden to strict deadlines!

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.