TBC Classic Anniversary raiding population dropped sharply in mid-September 2026, according to raid-log data. The mode had 212,821 raiders the week of Sept. 8 through Sept. 14, then 124,487 the week of Sept. 15 through Sept. 21 — a loss of 88,334 raiders. That decline landed while the mode sits in Phase 3: Black Temple and Mount Hyjal, with Zul'Aman and Sunwell Plateau still to come.
How big was the drop?
The two-week comparison is the clearest number available: 212,821 raiders, then 124,487, a fall of 88,334. The figures come from raid log data pulled from Warcraft Logs.
What caused it
The drop coincided with the first week of the WoW Forever beta. WoW Forever is not set to launch until Nov. 4, and instant, guaranteed beta access sits behind a $60 bundle. The expectation that TBC Anniversary would hold a strong raiding population through at least that November launch did not hold up.
Mists of Pandaria Classic shows the same pattern: its raiding base fell from 33,125 to 24,971 with the launch of the WoW Forever beta. That version has been in its final phase since June, with the launch of Siege of Orgrimmar.
What players are saying about their servers
Community discussion on the official forums centers on uncertainty rather than raw numbers. Players note that TBC Anniversary and Mists Classic are the two Classic iterations whose characters have absorbed the most time and money, and that the roadmaps pointed toward BlizzCon for answers. TBC is reportedly declining in population. Anniversary still looks healthy because it is still in progression, and how long it stays at end game after Sunwell will determine whether the population holds before any move to Wrath.
Should you worry about your guild?
The data measures raiders who logged, not server health, and it covers one two-week window during a beta launch. It is unclear whether the decline continues, whether TBC Anniversary progresses into Wrath of the Lich King Anniversary, or what happens to existing characters.
If farming gold for raid consumables and repairs is the part of the work you would rather hand off, TBC Classic Anniversary Gold covers that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TBC Classic Anniversary dying?
Raid-log data shows a large one-week drop in raiders during the WoW Forever beta. The population is reportedly declining, but the mode is healthy while it is still in progression.
What phase is TBC Classic Anniversary in?
Phase 3: Black Temple and Mount Hyjal, with Zul'Aman and Sunwell Plateau still to come.
Will TBC Anniversary go to Wrath of the Lich King?
It is unclear whether there are plans to go into Wrath of the Lich King Anniversary. Players are still waiting on word about the future of their characters.
