More than 300,000 people play Minecraft for the first time on an average day, according to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. She shared the number on September 26, 2026, shortly after the Minecraft Live broadcast ended. She also said the game has now sold more than 425 million copies.
Minecraft first launched over 17 years ago. The 300,000 figure counts only players trying the game for the first time. It does not count total daily players.
What Asha Sharma said about Minecraft’s new players
Sharma posted the stats in a post on X summing up the Minecraft Live show. First she listed the show’s main news: Minecraft Dungeons II, the first new dimension in more than 14 years, new creator tools, and Minecraft on Nintendo Switch 2. Then she gave the player and sales numbers.
Mojang used the same figures in its own coverage of the event.
| Minecraft stat | Figure | Shared by |
|---|---|---|
| First-time players on an average day | 300,000+ | Asha Sharma, Xbox CEO |
| Lifetime copies sold | 425 million+ | Asha Sharma, Mojang |
| Time since launch | 17+ years | Asha Sharma |
| Last new dimension before the Sift | Over 14 years ago | Mojang |
How 300,000 new players a day adds up
Sharma called 300,000 an average, so the real number changes from day to day. At that average, the totals look like this:
| Period | Estimated first-time players |
|---|---|
| One week | About 2.1 million |
| 30 days | About 9 million |
| One year | About 110 million |
These totals are simple multiplication, not official figures. Xbox has not split the number by platform. It also has not said whether Game Pass players, Minecraft Education users or free trial players are included.
Where new players can play Minecraft
Minecraft is available on almost every current gaming device. That wide reach is one reason it keeps drawing in first-time players.
| Edition | Platforms |
|---|---|
| Java Edition | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Bedrock Edition | Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Amazon Fire devices |
| Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Launches October 27, 2026, with a free upgrade path from Switch |
New players usually learn the controls first, then the systems. Our guide to Minecraft commands covers the basics of cheats and world settings. Once you move past the early game, this list of the best enchantments for your gear in Minecraft helps with tools, weapons and armor.
What was announced at Minecraft Live September 2026
The player stats came alongside a busy Minecraft Live. Here is what Mojang confirmed:
| Announcement | Details | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft Dungeons II | One connected world, jumping, four-player co-op, rifts that lead to the Sift | September 29, 2026 |
| The Sift | Fourth dimension after the Overworld, the Nether and the End | Java and Bedrock, 2027 |
| Ice caves game drop | New frozen cave biome with a frozen zombie variant and icicles | Date not announced |
| Minecraft on Switch 2 | Better performance and visuals | October 27, 2026 |
| Sound Effects Packs | New Minecraft Marketplace content | Later in 2026 |
| Minecraft hotel and Escape the Nether ride | At Chessington World of Adventures Resort | 2027 |
Minecraft Dungeons II launches on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and Game Pass. Xbox Wire’s post on the Sift confirms that players will see the new dimension in Dungeons II before it reaches the main game.
Mojang has not said how players will reach the Sift in Java and Bedrock, and has given no release date beyond 2027. For the full list of reveals, see our breakdown of everything announced at Minecraft Live. Mojang’s official Minecraft Live recap also covers the after show and the 10th anniversary of Minecraft Education.
Upcoming Minecraft release dates
Several of these releases are close. Minecraft Dungeons II arrives on Tuesday, September 29. The Switch 2 version follows on October 27. The Sift reaches the main game in 2027, and Mojang says it will share more at future Minecraft Live events.
FAQ
How many people play Minecraft for the first time each day?
More than 300,000 people on an average day, according to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.
How many copies has Minecraft sold?
Over 425 million copies across all platforms since it launched more than 17 years ago.
When is the Sift coming to Minecraft?
The Sift comes to Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition in 2027. You can explore it earlier in Minecraft Dungeons II from September 29, 2026.
When does Minecraft release on Nintendo Switch 2?
October 27, 2026. Switch owners get a free upgrade path.
