NetEase has confirmed that Marvel Rivals Season 9.5 goes live on Friday, August 7, 2026. While an official launch time has not been finalized, previous seasonal updates suggest the patch will deploy at 6am ET across supported platforms.
Quick Facts
- Release Date: August 7, 2026
- New Character: The Hood (Vanguard role)
- Platforms: PC and consoles
Expected Launch Times by Region
Players across different time zones can anticipate the following rollout schedule based on past updates:
- Pacific Time (PT): 3:00 AM
- Eastern Time (ET): 6:00 AM
- Central Europe (CEST): 12:00 PM
- India (IST): 3:30 PM
- China (CST): 6:00 PM
- Japan (JST): 7:00 PM
- Australia East (AEST): 8:00 PM
The Hood Joins the Vanguard Roster
Following appearances in the Season 9 storyline and the new team-up system alongside Jubilee, Parker Robbins—known as The Hood—enters the game as a playable Vanguard character. The character utilizes a combination of magic and firearms, featuring a demon state and a turret-based ultimate ability.
File Size Reductions and Balance Changes
Alongside the new character, the update includes a reduction in file sizes for both PC and console versions. The patch also introduces balance adjustments, including character buffs and a nerf for Peni Parker. Additionally, a new lineup of summer-themed swimsuit skins will be added for characters including Bucky, Black Cat, Star-Lord, Magik, and Storm.