Escape from Tarkov: Arena is a standalone game from Battlestate Games: fast PvP matches built on Tarkov’s hardcore mechanics, without the long raid and extraction. You can buy it on the official website, it is not on Steam, and as of 20 October 2026 it starts at €37. This guide covers the bundles Arena comes in, which Escape from Tarkov editions already include it, how it shares your character with Tarkov and which modes and classes it offers.
What EFT: Arena is
Arena is a session-based PvP shooter. Instead of a raid where you hunt for loot and then a way out, you play short matches against other players. According to BSG, Arena combines the hardcore mechanics of Escape from Tarkov with the fast pace of session matches, so if you know Tarkov you are not starting from scratch.
Arena is a separate product. You can buy it without Escape from Tarkov and play only Arena. If you already own Tarkov, you still need Arena bought separately or as part of an edition that includes it.
How much Arena costs and where to buy it
Arena is sold on the official website arena.tarkov.com. It is not available on Steam as a standalone game, even though the base Escape from Tarkov has been there since November 2025. Prices for the Europe region as of 20 October 2026:
| Bundle | Store | Price (20 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | arena.tarkov.com, Europe region | €37 |
| EFT: Arena + Laboratory Tactical Map Bundle | arena.tarkov.com, Europe region | €52 |
| Arena Complete Bundle | arena.tarkov.com, Europe region | €67 |
Prices on the Arena purchase page exclude payment method fees; the website shows the final amount before you pay. As with Tarkov, purchases on the website are locked to a region, and the Europe version launches anywhere in the world.
Which Tarkov editions include Arena
If you are considering a pricier edition of Escape from Tarkov, you may not need to buy Arena at all. Two editions include a copy of EFT: Arena in the Ryzhy Edition:
- The Unheard Edition on the BSG website (€250, Europe region, 20 October 2026). Besides Arena it has the Gamma 3×3 container, a 10×72 stash, +20% XP for you and your group, PvE Zone access and the Season Pass.
- The Unheard Steam Edition on Steam (€189.98, 20 October 2026). It includes Arena Ryzhy Edition, Gamma, a 10×72 stash, +20% XP for your group and the PvE Zone, but not the Season Pass.
The lower editions (Standard, Left Behind, Prepare for Escape) do not include Arena. The full edition comparison and the differences between Steam and the website are covered in our editions and prices guide.
Two games, one character
What sets Arena apart is the shared character. Your level, skills and weapon mastery grow in both Arena and Escape from Tarkov, and it works both ways. Matches in Arena therefore also push your Tarkov character forward. According to BSG support, the seasonal character is partly synchronised with Arena as well.
One exception: experience from Arena does not count towards leagues. Leagues have been running since 15 September 2026 for seasonal characters only, and their rankings are based on weekly experience earned in Tarkov. How seasons and leagues work is explained in our guide to wipes and seasons. Arena is also not part of the EXFIL Brothers programme, which covers Escape from Tarkov modes only.
Modes and classes
The official Arena website lists these game modes:
- BlastGang
- CheckPoint
- Teamfight
- Last Hero
- Duel
- Overrun
- Shootout
On top of that, Arena has ranked games where you earn a rating. You pick your match gear from presets for four classes: Assault, Enforcer, Scout and Marksman.
Seasons in Arena
As of 20 October 2026 the Arena website shows Season 3 in progress. Do not confuse it with Kord Breach, the season that patch 1.1.0.0 launched in Escape from Tarkov on 4 August 2026, which concerns the seasonal character in Tarkov.
Who Arena is for
Arena makes sense if you enjoy Tarkov’s gunplay but do not want to risk your gear in a long raid, or if you want to level the skills and weapon mastery of a character you also use in Tarkov. If you are new to Tarkov and mainly want raids and extractions, you do not need Arena and should start with our beginner’s guide.
Join our Discord to find teammates for Arena and for Tarkov raids: GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
No. You can buy Arena on the official website arena.tarkov.com. On Steam it comes only as part of The Unheard Steam Edition.
As of 20 October 2026 in the Europe region, €37 for the Standard Edition, €52 for the bundle with the Laboratory Tactical Map and €67 for the Arena Complete Bundle, always excluding payment fees.
No. Arena is a standalone game and you can buy it without Tarkov.
The Unheard Edition on the BSG website and The Unheard Steam Edition. Both include EFT: Arena Ryzhy Edition.
Information verified on 20 October 2026. More guides are waiting in our Escape from Tarkov hub.