WoW Raid Release Dates - All of the Raids Ever Released

World of Warcraft has introduced numerous raids across its expansions, offering players some of the most memorable PvE experiences in gaming history. Raids have not only defined the endgame PvE content of WoW but have also played a crucial role in shaping the game's evolving mechanics, storytelling, and player engagement. From the fiery depths of Molten Core in Classic WoW to the cosmic battlefields of The War Within, each raid brings its own set of challenges, mechanics, and rewards.

This guide provides a comprehensive WoW raid release dates list, covering every raid from the game’s launch to the latest expansions. Whether you're a veteran looking for nostalgia or a new player curious about the game's raiding history, this timeline serves as an essential reference for all raid enthusiasts.

WoW Raid Release Dates Table

Expansion	Raid	Release Date
Classic WoW (2004-2006)	Molten Core	November 23, 2004
	Onyxia’s Lair	November 23, 2004
	Blackwing Lair	February 12, 2005
	Zul’Gurub	April 16, 2005
	Ruins of Ahn’Qiraj (AQ20)	January 3, 2006
	Temple of Ahn’Qiraj (AQ40)	January 3, 2006
	Naxxramas	June 20, 2006
The Burning Crusade (2007-2008)	Karazhan	January 16, 2007
	Gruul’s Lair	January 16, 2007
	Magtheridon’s Lair	January 16, 2007
	Serpentshrine Cavern	January 16, 2007
	Tempest Keep	January 16, 2007
	Battle for Mount Hyjal	May 22, 2007
	Black Temple	May 22, 2007
	Zul’Aman	November 13, 2007
Wrath of the Lich King (2008-2010)	Naxxramas (Re-release)	November 13, 2008
	Obsidian Sanctum	November 13, 2008
	Eye of Eternity	November 13, 2008
	Ulduar	April 14, 2009
	Trial of the Crusader	August 4, 2009
	Onyxia’s Lair (Re-release)	September 22, 2009
	Icecrown Citadel	December 8, 2009
	Ruby Sanctum	June 22, 2010
Cataclysm (2010-2012)	Baradin Hold	December 7, 2010
	Bastion of Twilight	December 7, 2010
	Throne of the Four Winds	December 7, 2010
	Firelands	June 28, 2011
	Dragon Soul	November 29, 2011
Mists of Pandaria (2012-2014)	Mogu’shan Vaults	October 2, 2012
	Heart of Fear	October 30, 2012
	Terrace of Endless Spring	November 13, 2012
	Throne of Thunder	March 5, 2013
	Siege of Orgrimmar	September 10, 2013
Warlords of Draenor (2014-2016)	Highmaul	December 2, 2014
	Blackrock Foundry	February 3, 2015
	Hellfire Citadel	June 23, 2015
Legion (2016-2018)	Emerald Nightmare	September 20, 2016
	Trial of Valor	November 8, 2016
	Nighthold	January 17, 2017
	Tomb of Sargeras	June 20, 2017
	Antorus, the Burning Throne	November 28, 2017
Battle for Azeroth (2018-2020)	Uldir	September 4, 2018
	Battle of Dazar’alor	January 22, 2019
	Crucible of Storms	April 16, 2019
	Eternal Palace	July 9, 2019
	Ny’alotha, the Waking City	January 21, 2020
Shadowlands (2020-2022)	Castle Nathria	December 8, 2020
	Sanctum of Domination	July 6, 2021
	Sepulcher of the First Ones	March 1, 2022
Dragonflight (2022-2025)	Vault of the Incarnates	December 12, 2022
	Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible	May 9, 2023
	Amirdrassil, the Dream’s Hope	November 14, 2023
The War Within (2024-2025)	Nerub’ar Palace	September 17, 2024
	Liberation of Undermine	February 25, 2025

Tips for Raiding in WoW

• Understand Raid Mechanics: Study boss fight mechanics, positioning strategies, and phase transitions to improve your performance.
• Optimize Your Gear: Ensure your character is appropriately geared for the raid tier, utilizing the best enchantments, consumables, and stat priorities.
• Communicate with Your Team: Clear communication is essential for raid success, especially in mythic or high-difficulty encounters.
• Master Your Class: Knowing your rotation, cooldown management, and utility abilities will make you a more effective raider.
• Utilize Add-ons and WeakAuras: Tools like Deadly Boss Mods (DBM), WeakAuras, and simulation tools can help optimize performance and improve reaction times.
• Stay Updated on Patch Changes: Raids often receive tuning adjustments, so keeping up with patch notes can help you adapt to changes in mechanics and balance.

By following these tips, both new and experienced players can maximize their effectiveness in raids and enhance their overall World of Warcraft experience.

Conclusion

With over two decades of raid content, WoW raid release dates showcase the evolution of PvE encounters in the game. Each expansion has introduced new mechanics, bosses, and rewards that have defined World of Warcraft’s legacy. From the early days of 40-player raids that tested coordination and endurance to modern encounters that integrate intricate storytelling and dynamic mechanics, the game has continued to innovate its endgame experience.

Whether you’re revisiting classic raids for nostalgia, hunting for transmog sets, or pushing the latest mythic-tier content in The War Within, understanding the historical timeline of raid releases helps players appreciate the depth of WoW’s raiding culture. This guide serves as a historical overview, not only cataloging every raid ever released but also highlighting how World of Warcraft’s PvE endgame has evolved over the years. Want to tackle the toughest raids without the grind? With WoW Raid Boosting, you can clear any raid, earn top-tier loot, and secure exclusive achievements effortlessly!

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Change Log

• 24.03.2025 - WoW Raid Release Dates - All of the Raids Ever Released published.