Sea of Thieves is in a free-access window that lets players join without an Xbox Game Pass subscription. There is, however, a difference between two official communications about the end date: the general Free Play Days page summarizes the offer as running from September 17 to 20, while the dedicated Season 21 announcement gives an exact window from September 17 at 15:00 UTC through September 21, 2026 at 17:00 UTC. Xbox's September Game Pass update also describes the free weekend as running from September 17 to 21. For anyone trying to use the offer, the more specific timestamp is the safest reference: 17:00 UTC on September 21, which is 2:00 p.m. Brasília time.
When the Sea of Thieves free access ends
The general Free Play Days announcement says Sea of Thieves is free from September 17 to 20 on Xbox and PC. The dedicated Season 21 announcement provides exact times and says the game is free to install and enjoy from September 17 at 15:00 UTC through September 21 at 17:00 UTC, with no Xbox Game Pass subscription required. The official September Game Pass update also lists the free weekend as September 17 to 21.
Because the Sea of Thieves-specific post includes both start and end times, it is the more precise reference for planning a download. In Brasília time, 17:00 UTC is 2:00 p.m. on September 21.
Who can play without Game Pass
During the promotion, Sea of Thieves does not require Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential. The dedicated announcement states that no Game Pass subscription is required to join the online fun during the free window. Within the Xbox ecosystem, the official game page lists Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11 among the supported platforms.
| Game | Platforms listed | Subscription for the promotion | Published window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea of Thieves | Xbox and PC; the game page lists Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11 | No Xbox Game Pass required during the free window | September 17 at 15:00 UTC through September 21 at 17:00 UTC in the dedicated announcement |
| Hell Let Loose Vietnam | Xbox and PC | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential | September 17 to 20 on the general Free Play Days page |
The distinction matters: Sea of Thieves eligibility should not be applied automatically to Hell Let Loose Vietnam. The second title is listed in the Free Play Days group that requires an eligible subscription.
How to install Sea of Thieves on Xbox
- Open the Xbox Store on your console.
- Go to the store's Subscriptions section.
- Find the “Free Play Days” collection.
- Open the Sea of Thieves page and select the installation option shown for the promotion.
- Start the download before the free-access window closes.
This is the route Xbox gives for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Because the Sea of Thieves offer is open to everyone during the promotional period, you do not need to buy a Game Pass plan just to unlock the trial.
Installing through a browser
Another official route is to open the game's page on Xbox.com, sign in with the Microsoft account used on Xbox, and continue to the Microsoft Store. Xbox recommends being signed in so the store can recognize eligibility and display the installation option tied to the promotion.
Installing on PC
On PC, the offer was also announced for the Xbox ecosystem. The official guidance is to open the individual game page through Xbox.com, sign in, and continue to the Microsoft Store. The official Sea of Thieves page lists Windows 10/11 as a supported platform.
What to check if the free option does not appear
- Make sure the correct Microsoft account is signed in to the store.
- Look for the game through the Free Play Days collection as well as normal Store search.
- Confirm that the device is a supported platform.
- Check the time: the Sea of Thieves-specific announcement points to an end time of September 21 at 17:00 UTC.
- Do not confuse Sea of Thieves rules with Hell Let Loose Vietnam, which requires an eligible Game Pass plan.
What happens after the free period ends
The promotional license is temporary. After the window closes, a valid license is required to keep playing, either through a purchase or a plan that includes the game. Xbox says that players who buy the title after Free Play Days can keep the Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event.
Sea of Thieves is also currently listed as included with Game Pass on its official game page, but that is separate from this promotion: during this specific free-access window, a subscription is not required.
Quick checklist before the deadline
- Sea of Thieves can be played without Game Pass during the promotion.
- The most specific official reference ends the offer on September 21, 2026 at 17:00 UTC, or 2:00 p.m. Brasília time.
- On console, use Xbox Store, Subscriptions, and the Free Play Days collection.
- On PC or in a browser, sign in to your Microsoft account and open the game page to continue to Microsoft Store.
- Hell Let Loose Vietnam has different eligibility and requires Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential.
