Mojang Studios revealed the Minecraft Sift dimension during Minecraft Live on September 26, 2026. The Sift will be added to Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition in 2027. It will be the fourth dimension in the game, alongside the Overworld, the Nether and the End.
It is also the first new dimension to come to Minecraft in more than 14 years. The last one, the End, arrived when the game reached its full 1.0 release in 2011.
For the pre-show schedule and what was rumored before the broadcast, see our Minecraft Live September 2026 start time and preview.
What is the Minecraft Sift dimension?
The Sift is a new dimension created by Mojang Studios. It appears first in Minecraft Dungeons II and will later come to the main Minecraft game. Mojang describes it as a colorful place full of souls, with its own areas, mobs, dangers and gameplay.
In Dungeons II, rifts open across the world, and players who enter one are taken to The Sift. The dimension includes two confirmed areas:
- The Meadow
- The Carapace
The Minecraft Live broadcast also showed a portal to The Sift inside Minecraft and one of the mobs that lives in the dimension. Mojang did not share the mob’s name.
Minecraft Sift dimension release date
| Game | Sift Availability |
|---|---|
| Minecraft Dungeons II | September 29, 2026 |
| Minecraft Java Edition | 2027 |
| Minecraft Bedrock Edition | 2027 |
Mojang has not given a month or a game drop name for the 2027 release. It has also not said which parts of the Dungeons II version will be carried over to the main game.
How the Sift compares to Minecraft’s other dimensions
| Dimension | Added to Minecraft | How Players Reach It |
|---|---|---|
| Overworld | 2009 | Starting dimension |
| The Nether | 2010 | Nether portal |
| The End | 2011 | End portal |
| The Sift | 2027 (planned) | Not yet confirmed for Minecraft |
In Minecraft Dungeons II, players reach The Sift through rifts. Mojang has not said whether the main game will use rifts, a new portal, or another method.
How to explore The Sift early in Minecraft Dungeons II
The first place to see the Minecraft Sift dimension is Minecraft Dungeons II. The game launches on September 29, 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Game Pass. Mojang developed it with Double Eleven.
Design Director Laura de Llorens, Art Director Ullis Linder and Game Director Måns Olson presented the game at Minecraft Live. They explained that:
- The first game used separate missions. The sequel uses an interconnected world.
- Players can now jump.
- In the story, the world’s ecosystem is out of balance, and hostile illagers have formed an Illager High Council.
- Rifts throughout the world lead to The Sift.
The game supports up to four players in co-op. Pre-order bonuses include the Twisted cape, a Twisted Chicken pet and two hero skins, and the offer ends on September 28. You can find the full list of Minecraft Dungeons II platforms and system requirements in our guide.
Other Minecraft Live September 2026 announcements
The Sift dimension was the main reveal of the show, but Mojang announced several other updates.
| Announcement | Details | When |
|---|---|---|
| Next game drop | Ice Caves biome and a frozen zombie variant | Release date not announced |
| Minecraft on Nintendo Switch 2 | Version with improved performance and visuals | October 27, 2026 |
| Minecraft World | Theme park with a hotel and rollercoaster | 2027, London |
| Sound Effects Packs | New Minecraft Marketplace content | Later in 2026 |
| Creator platform | Tools to make creating and sharing content easier | No date given |
Ice Caves and the frozen zombie
The next game drop adds Ice Caves, a rare underground biome that generates beneath cold surface biomes. The caves contain ice, calcite, icicles on the ceiling, and ice crystals on the ground that give off light. Ice crystals can be placed vertically or horizontally.
The drop also adds a frozen zombie variant that does not have an official name yet. Its melee attacks cause damage and a stacking freezing effect. Some frozen zombies throw ice balls, and regular zombies turn into frozen zombies if they are exposed to powder snow. Ice balls can be dropped by frozen zombies or crafted by players. They can also be brewed into a new Freezing Potion.
Players who want to test these features once they reach preview can use our Minecraft commands guide to change the time, weather and game mode.
Minecraft on Nintendo Switch 2
Minecraft launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, 2026. Mojang says this version runs better and looks better than the original Switch version.
Minecraft World hotel and rollercoaster
Minecraft World opens in 2027 at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in London. Mojang and Merlin Entertainments confirmed two attractions:
- Minecraft World Hotel: a Minecraft-themed hotel with a deep-sea diner and themed rooms.
- Escape the Nether: the first Minecraft rollercoaster, with both indoor and outdoor sections.
Creator platform and Sound Effects Packs
Jens Bergenström, Chief Creative Officer at Mojang Studios, described plans for a creator platform. It will provide better tools and systems so more players can create and share Minecraft content. Mojang also announced Sound Effects Packs for the Minecraft Marketplace, due later in 2026.
Other news from the show:
- Minecraft Education turned 10 years old.
- Mojang redesigned its feedback site. Players can suggest ideas for The Sift and future updates through Minecraft’s official feedback site.
Mojang’s summary of the show is in the official Minecraft Live September 2026 recap. The Minecraft Wiki’s event page will track new Sift details as they are released.
FAQs
What is the Sift dimension in Minecraft?
The Sift is a new dimension revealed at Minecraft Live in September 2026. It will be the fourth dimension in Minecraft, after the Overworld, the Nether and the End.
When is the Minecraft Sift dimension coming out?
The Sift will be added to Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition in 2027. No exact date has been announced.
Can I play The Sift now?
Not in Minecraft yet. Players can explore The Sift in Minecraft Dungeons II starting September 29, 2026.
How do you get to The Sift?
In Minecraft Dungeons II, players enter The Sift through rifts. Mojang has not said how players will reach it in the main game.
Is The Sift the first new Minecraft dimension since the End?
Yes. It is the first new dimension in over 14 years.
