Minecraft 26.1 Pre-Release 1 is Here – What's Coming Next

The first pre-release build for version 26.1 has landed, giving us a sneak peek at what Mojang's cooking up. Time to see what changes might affect your server!

Fresh Build, Fresh Features

Mojang just dropped Minecraft 26.1 Pre-Release 1, and it's your golden ticket to test-drive the upcoming changes before the full release rolls out. Pre-releases are where the magic happens — developers iron out bugs, fine-tune mechanics, and make sure everything plays nice together. If you're running a PaperChunk server, this is the perfect time to get familiar with what's coming.

Why Pre-Releases Matter for Server Owners

Think of pre-releases as your early warning system. By testing 26.1 Pre-Release 1 on a staging server, you can spot compatibility issues before your players hit them. New features sometimes have unexpected interactions with plugins or world generation, and catching those now means a smoother transition when the full version drops. Plus, you'll be ahead of the curve when the official release happens.

What You Should Do

Grab the pre-release build and spin up a test server if you haven't already. Pay attention to any weird behavior with redstone, mob behavior, or chunk loading — these are common sticking points. Jot down any oddities and report them to the launcher feedback. The more reports Mojang gets, the better the final version will be for everyone.

Looking Forward

Each pre-release gets us closer to the full 26.1 launch, which means your server ecosystem will soon get a refresh. Keep your eyes on PaperChunk's announcements for compatibility updates and any server software tweaks you'll need to roll out.