Work on the next WordPress general release is already underway. WordPress 6.8 is scheduled to launch on April 15, 2025.
WordPress core contributor Héctor Prieto has revealed the official WordPress release schedule for 2025, including the tentative release of WordPress 6.8 and the call for volunteers. Depending on the tentative schedule explained in the official post, WordPress 6.8 may comprise Gutenberg 20.4. That said, it will rely on adjustments to the year-end Gutenberg release schedule.
WordPress Release Schedule
These dates have been finalized after considering crucial events, including WordCamp Europe and WordCamp Asia, along with the new-year holidays. In 2025, there are three major WordPress releases planned:
- WordPress 6.8 – Beta 1 on March 4, stable release on April 15.
- WordPress 6.9 – Beta 1 on June 24, stable release on August 5.
- WordPress 7.0 – Beta 1 on September 30, stable release on November 11.
WordPress 6.8 Tentative Schedule
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Alpha (trunk open for 6.8 release) | October 22, 2024 |
| Beta 1 | March 04, 2025 |
| Beta 2 | March 11, 2025 |
| Beta 3 | March 18, 2025 |
| Release Candidate 1 | March 25, 2025 |
| Release Candidate 2 | April 01, 2025 |
| Release Candidate 3 | April 08, 2025 |
| Dry Run | April 14, 2025 |
| WordPress 6.8 General Release | April 15, 2025 |
Prieto says, “Although the 6.8 dates aren’t final yet, they are close enough to inform contributors about their availability around that time”
WordPress 6.8 Call for Volunteers
The release schedule aside, Prieto has publicized the WordPress 6.8’s timeline. The final release of WordPress 6.8 is planned for April 15, 2025. The WordPress 6.8 release squad needs volunteers for different roles, such as:
- Release Coordinators
- Core Tech Leads
- Editor Tech Leads
- Core Triage Leads
- Editor Triage Leads
- Documentation Leads
- Test Leads
- Design Leads
- Performance Leads
There will be no default theme for WordPress 6.8, meaning no default theme lead role. In addition, project leadership will fill the Release Lead role. WordPress 6.7 did not focus on acquiring the services of a Marketing Lead. However, the squad may hire a volunteer for this and other missing roles depending on the requirements if they arise in the future.
Expected WordPress 6.8 Features
WordPress 6.8 will hopefully focus on attributes like previous versions, such as enhanced block editor usability, improved block patterns, and accessibility. Besides, the probable WordPress 6.8 features may comprise security enhancements and performance improvements like faster page loads and enhanced database queries.
Wrapping Up
The WordPress 6.8 release date is scheduled for April 15, 2025; however, it may change depending on the circumstances. Similarly, WordPress followers should experience a great mix of performance improvements and security enhancements, revolutionizing the WordPress landscape.
