Path of Exile 2 New Race Events Start on May 25

Path of Exile 2 is turning up the heat again, and this time it’s all about speed, skill, and solo glory. Grinding Gear Games has officially announced a brand-new set of PoE 2 race events starting this weekend—and trust me, if you’ve been itching for a challenge that’ll really test your mechanics and map sense, this is your moment.

These Path of Exile 2 racing events aren’t just casual runs. They’re time-based competitions designed to see who can take down Doryani in Act 3 the fastest. Sounds easy? Not quite. This is Solo Self-Found, so don’t expect any hand-holding or fancy trading to save you. You’ve got to earn every inch the hard way. If you're thinking of leveling up before the race or gearing up smarter, it's never a bad idea to buy PoE 2 currency from trusted sources like PVPBank and we will never let you down.

What’s the Race Format?

First things first—this isn’t a Hardcore mode event, but don’t get too comfortable. There’s a twist. If you die during the run, you're hit with a one-minute penalty where you can't move. And in a competitive race like this, even seconds matter. That one minute could be the difference between top placement and falling way behind the pack.

The format is as clean and intense as it gets:

• Solo Self-Found only – no trading, no outside help.

• Standard (non-hardcore) – but death costs you time.

• Target: Kill Doryani in Act 3 as fast as possible.

If you've never participated in PoE 2 racing events before, now’s a great time to dip your toes in. And if you're a veteran like me who’s been running since the original Path of Exile leagues, this is your shot at proving you're still got it.

When and Where?

Mark your calendars, because there are three official race dates:

• Saturday, May 25th

• Saturday, June 1st

• Saturday, June 8th

All races start at 4:00 PM Eastern / 1:00 PM Pacific. No fancy queue times or region locks—everyone starts at the same time. Just hop in and go.

And yes, they’ll be live-streamed on Twitch, so expect hype commentary, on-screen timers, and plenty of community reactions. If you’re competing, make sure your build is tight and your strategy even tighter. If you’re watching, bring popcorn and be ready to cheer for your favorite class.

What Can You Win?

Aside from bragging rights and community clout, there are actual rewards up for grabs. Grinding Gear Games is offering the Demigod’s Virtue, a unique item given to the top player of each class per race. That includes the recently added Huntress class, so if you've been theorycrafting a Huntress build, now’s the time to put it to the test.

And it doesn’t stop there. You can enter one, two, or all three of the race events. If you’re skilled (and a little lucky), you could walk away with multiple wins and multiple Demigod’s Virtue uniques. There are also exclusive game pads being given out, making this feel more like an eSports event than a typical community challenge.

Why You Should Join (Even If You Don’t Think You’ll Win)

Here’s the thing—not everyone’s going to win, and that’s okay. These Path of Exile 2 race events are really about community, friendly competition, and pushing yourself to perform under pressure. You’ll learn more about your favorite class, discover just how efficient your leveling path is, and probably laugh at yourself once or twice when RNG messes with your best-laid plans.

Plus, you get to be part of a community event that’s making PoE 2 multiplayer feel alive in new ways. Watching the leaderboard shift in real time? It’s exhilarating. Knowing you’ve got thousands of players chasing the same goal as you? Even better.

Tips From a PoE Vet

If you’re planning to join in, here are a few quick tips I’ve picked up over the years:

• Plan your route through the zones. Efficiency is everything.

• Practice your early game leveling. That first hour can make or break your run.

• Know your class strengths. Each one has a slightly different power curve in early Acts.

• Gear smart. Blue items with good rolls can carry you further than uniques sometimes.

• Don’t tilt. Mistakes happen. Recover fast.

And yes—don’t forget to run a few test races in Solo Self-Found before the real deal. It’s like muscle memory; the more you practice, the smoother you’ll perform.

Final Thoughts

Path of Exile 2’s race events are shaping up to be one of the most exciting parts of the early post-Dawn of the Hunt meta. It’s clear that Grinding Gear Games is serious about keeping competitive content alive, and these races are the perfect mix of fun, strategy, and adrenaline. Whether you're in it for the prizes or just to see where you stack up, these races are something every serious PoE 2 player should check out.

So fire up your build planner, stretch those fingers, and get ready to race. Doryani won’t kill himself.