Hollow Knight: Silksong Sea of Sorrow: Release Date, Platforms, and Everything We Know (2026)

Sea of Sorrow, the first expansion for Hollow Knight: Silksong, is confirmed as a free update coming to PC, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2, but Team Cherry has still not locked in an exact release date as of July 2026. The Australian studio revealed the nautical themed expansion in December 2025 and has since said it is holding back other major updates until Sea of Sorrow ships. Here is every confirmed fact, sourced and dated, with nothing guessed.

Key Stats: Sea of Sorrow So Far

• Team Cherry first revealed Sea of Sorrow on December 15, 2025, confirming it as a free expansion for every Silksong owner (Source: Nintendo Everything, December 2025).
• On March 16, 2026, Team Cherry stated no other major Silksong updates would ship before Sea of Sorrow launches, a signal the expansion is the studio's full focus (Source: Hollow Knight Wiki, tracking official developer statements).
• As of July 2026, "Hollow Knight Silksong Sea of Sorrow" still draws roughly 700 monthly searches in the US alone, seven months after the reveal, showing the wait has not cooled fan interest (Source: Ahrefs keyword data, July 2026).

What Is Sea of Sorrow?

Sea of Sorrow is the first paid or free expansion released for Hollow Knight: Silksong, continuing Hornet's story after the base campaign. Team Cherry has described it as nautically themed, built around new areas connected to water and the sea, alongside new bosses and tools. The studio has kept most specifics under wraps, saying only that further detail will land shortly before release.

When Does Sea of Sorrow Release?

There is still no confirmed release date. Team Cherry's original December 2025 announcement placed Sea of Sorrow "next year," meaning sometime in 2026, and that window has not narrowed publicly since. The studio's March 2026 statement that it was pausing other major updates until Sea of Sorrow ships suggests development is in its final stretch, but no month or quarter has been named.

What Platforms Will Sea of Sorrow Launch On?

Sea of Sorrow is confirmed for the same platforms as the base game: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Team Cherry has not announced a separate Switch 2 enhanced edition of the expansion itself, only that existing Silksong owners on any supported platform will receive it as a free update.

What's New in the Sea of Sorrow Expansion?

Team Cherry's own description points to new nautical areas, additional boss encounters, and new tools for Hornet. Fan datamining and trailer analysis, cited by the Hollow Knight Wiki, has floated names like Pharloom Bay and a submersible area, but none of that is officially confirmed, so treat it as speculation rather than fact until Team Cherry says otherwise.

Is Sea of Sorrow Free?

Yes. Team Cherry confirmed at reveal that Sea of Sorrow ships free to everyone who owns Hollow Knight: Silksong, matching the studio's history with the original Hollow Knight, which also received multiple free content packs after launch instead of paid DLC.

Sea of Sorrow Timeline: What's Confirmed So Far

Date	What Happened
December 15 to 16, 2025	Team Cherry reveals Sea of Sorrow in a year end blog post, confirms it is free and nautically themed.
March 16, 2026	Team Cherry says no other major Silksong updates will ship before Sea of Sorrow, signaling development priority.
July 6, 2026	A community thread compiling confirmed details recirculates widely as fans push for a firm date.
July 2026 (now)	Platforms (PC, Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation, Xbox) and free pricing are locked. Exact release date and full content list remain unannounced.

"Hornet's adventures continue in our nautically themed expansion, coming free for all players next year. We'll keep further details a secret for now, but expect additional info shortly before Hollow Knight: Silksong Sea of Sorrow releases.", Team Cherry, in its December 2025 reveal post.

Why It Matters

Silksong's launch was one of the most anticipated releases in recent gaming history, and Team Cherry built enormous goodwill by supporting the original Hollow Knight with free content instead of paid DLC. Sea of Sorrow extends that pattern at a moment when big studios increasingly charge for expansions, and it keeps Silksong's live community engaged more than a year after release without asking players to pay again.

What's Next

Expect Team Cherry to confirm a firm release window closer to launch, likely through its own blog and a new trailer, following the same pattern as the original reveal. Until then, players on Switch 2 have plenty to keep them busy; see our roundup of the best Switch 2 games and our guide to the Switch 2 accessories worth buying while the wait continues. PlayStation owners looking for something new in the meantime can check our best PS5 exclusives ranking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hollow Knight Silksong Sea of Sorrow out yet?

No. As of July 2026, Sea of Sorrow has not released. Team Cherry has confirmed a 2026 release window but no exact date.

Do I have to pay for Sea of Sorrow?

No. Team Cherry confirmed Sea of Sorrow is a free expansion for everyone who already owns Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Will Sea of Sorrow come to Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes. Sea of Sorrow is confirmed for every platform Silksong already runs on, including Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

What new content is in Sea of Sorrow?

Team Cherry has officially confirmed new nautically themed areas, additional bosses, and new tools. Specific area and boss names circulating online are fan speculation, not confirmed details.

Updated July 2026. Sources: Nintendo Everything, Steam News, and the Hollow Knight Wiki.