The Best-Selling Game of 2023 Is Free on Epic Games Store Until December 18
Claim Hogwarts Legacy free on Epic Games Store until December 18. The best-selling game of 2023 is available at no cost during The Game Awards promotion.
If you’ve been holding off on playing Hogwarts Legacy, now’s your chance to grab it for free. Epic Games Store just made the blockbuster open-world RPG available at no cost as part of its Game Awards promotion—and it’s one of the biggest freebies they’ve ever offered.
Hogwarts Legacy Is Free Right Now
Starting December 11, 2025, Hogwarts Legacy is available for free on the Epic Games Store. You have until December 18 at 11am ET / 8am PT to claim it. Once you add it to your library, it’s yours to keep forever.
This is a massive giveaway. Hogwarts Legacy normally retails for $59.99 and was the best-selling game in the U.S. throughout 2023, with an estimated 22 million copies sold globally in its first year.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
Commercial Success
Hogwarts Legacy isn’t just any free game—it’s arguably the most commercially successful freebie Epic has ever offered. The open-world RPG set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter dominated sales charts throughout 2023 and remained a top seller well into 2024.
Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed in September 2024 that a sequel is among their top priorities, though details remain under wraps.
The Game Awards Connection (Sort of)
Here’s where things get interesting. Epic Games Store marketed this giveaway as its first official Game Awards-themed promotion, complete with TGA branding on the mystery game banner. Many fans expected this meant the free game would be a TGA nominee.
Plot twist: Hogwarts Legacy received zero nominations at The Game Awards 2023, making its inclusion in a TGA-themed event somewhat ironic. Epic even adjusted the typical release schedule—instead of the usual 8am PT / 11am ET drop, the freebie went live around 6:20pm PT / 9:20pm ET to coincide with the December 11 ceremony.
The only real connection? A brief trailer advertising the freebie that aired about two hours into the Game Awards event.
Current Epic Games Store Free Games
| Game | Regular Price | Free Period |
|---|---|---|
| Hogwarts Legacy | $59.99 | December 11 – December 18 |
| Mystery Game #2 | ??? | December 18 – December 19 |
What’s Coming Next?
Epic’s holiday giveaway tradition continues with a twist this year. Instead of the traditional “12 Days of Christmas” format that usually runs throughout late December, the 2025 edition appears condensed to about a week.
Mystery Game #2 goes live on December 18 and will only be available for 24 hours—a stark contrast to Hogwarts Legacy’s week-long availability. Data from the Epic Games Store client suggests Hogwarts Legacy was internally labeled “Mystery Game 1,” though there are no confirmed freebies between December 12 and 17.
This shorter format marks a departure from previous years, but Epic hasn’t officially explained the change.
Epic Games Store Holiday Sale Is Live
Beyond the free games, Epic’s annual Holiday Sale is now running through January 8, 2026, featuring:
Up to 75% off on thousands of PC titles across the store
20% Epic Rewards cashback on eligible purchases using Epic’s payment system (excludes Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League, which have permanent 20% cashback)
Free cosmetic items:
- Hollypaw Wrap for Fortnite
- Fashionably Frosty cosmetic for Fall Guys
- TriTrim Crimson & Forest Green Wheels for Rocket League
If you’ve been eyeing games on your wishlist, now’s the time to check those sale prices.
Should You Claim Hogwarts Legacy?
Absolutely. Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan or don’t plan to play immediately, there’s no reason not to add a $60 game to your library for free. Here’s why it’s worth claiming:
Massive open world – Explore Hogwarts and the surrounding Wizarding World with impressive detail and scale
No future cost – Once claimed, it’s yours forever. No subscription required.
Strong reviews – Despite the TGA snub, the game received positive reviews from both critics and players
Sequel confirmed – With a follow-up in development, now’s the perfect time to experience the original
Zero risk – It’s free. Even if you never play it, you lose nothing by claiming it.
How to Claim Your Free Copy
- Visit the Epic Games Store website or open the Epic Games Launcher
- Log in to your Epic Games account (or create one if needed)
- Navigate to the Hogwarts Legacy free game offer
- Click “Get” to add it to your library
- The game is yours to keep and download whenever you’re ready
Remember, you only have until December 18 at 11am ET / 8am PT to claim it.
The Bottom Line
Hogwarts Legacy being free on Epic Games Store is one of the biggest giveaways in the platform’s history. Whether you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan or just looking for a quality open-world RPG to dive into, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
Mark your calendar for December 18 to see what Mystery Game #2 brings, and keep an eye on Epic’s holiday promotions for more deals throughout the season.
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Key Takeaway: Hogwarts Legacy, the best-selling game of 2023, is free on Epic Games Store until December 18, 2025. Claim it now to add the $59.99 open-world RPG to your library permanently, and watch for Mystery Game #2 on December 18.
