Animal Crossing: New Horizons players have received a series of free downloadable content items to celebrate the start of 2026, released ahead of the game's major 3.0 update scheduled for January 15, 2026. These freebies consist of three custom design items for in-game use: a knit cap, a hoodie, and a flag, all featuring the year "2026" and firework-like patterns. The items are distributed through the game's Custom Design portal, a feature that requires specific in-game progress and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership to access.
The free content drop is a promotional effort by Nintendo to engage players prior to the launch of the significant 3.0 update. This upcoming update is described as a substantial addition to the game, introducing new gameplay mechanics and features. It will also coincide with the release of a native version of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch 2, which is expected to include enhanced graphical quality, resolution improvements, and support for mouse controls and increased multiplayer island player counts. The 3.0 update itself is free for all players on both the original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2.
The 2026 New Year freebies are not physical products or mail-in samples but are digital items available exclusively within the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game environment. Their availability is conditional upon several prerequisites that players must meet to claim and use them.
Details of the Free Custom Design Items
Nintendo has released three specific custom designs for players to download. Each item is identified by a unique Design ID that must be used within the game's Custom Design Kiosk. The items are: - 2026 Knit Cap – Design ID: MO-4BF9-FR90-X513 - 2026 Hoodie – Design ID: MO-05W4-BPK8-3R2F - 2026 Flag – Design ID: MO-T5KK-WX8Y-VKP0
These designs share a consistent visual theme, described as a navy color scheme with shades of purple, and prominently display the "2026" logo along with firework-like patterns. They are intended for use on a player's island to celebrate the new year. Players can also search for all designs created by Nintendo using the Creator ID MA-6818-1746-6029, which will include these items and potentially others.
Eligibility and Prerequisites for Access
Claiming the free 2026 custom designs requires meeting specific in-game and service-based prerequisites. The source material outlines the following requirements:
- Unlocking the Able Sisters Shop: Players must have progressed far enough in the game to unlock the Able Sisters shop. This is a store within the game that, once unlocked, provides access to the Custom Design Kiosk located at the back of the shop.
- Nintendo Switch Online Membership: An active Nintendo Switch Online membership is mandatory to use the Custom Design Kiosk. This paid online service subscription is required for accessing the portal to download and upload custom designs. The free designs are only available to Nintendo Switch Online members.
Without satisfying both of these conditions, a player cannot access the Custom Design Kiosk and therefore cannot download the free items.
Step-by-Step Process to Claim the Designs
The process for downloading the free custom designs is straightforward for players who meet the eligibility criteria. The steps are as follows:
- Visit the Able Sisters Shop: Go to the in-game store once it is unlocked.
- Access the Custom Design Kiosk: Interact with the kiosk located at the back of the shop.
- Search for Designs: Using the kiosk, select the option to search for Pro Designs. Players can search using either the specific Design ID for an individual item or the Creator ID to browse all designs from that creator.
- Input the Design ID: For the 2026 items, input the individual Design IDs listed above to find each specific item.
- Save the Design: Once the desired design is found, select the "Save" option to download it.
- Access the Item: The downloaded design will be added to the Custom Designs app on the player's in-game Nook Phone. From there, the player can equip the knit cap or hoodie on their character or display the flag on their island.
Information on the Upcoming 3.0 Update
While the free 2026 items are a limited-time promotional offer, the broader context is the imminent release of the 3.0 update. The update is scheduled for January 15, 2026, for both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It is a free update that does not require a separate purchase.
According to the source material, the 3.0 update will introduce several new features and content additions to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. These include: - Kapp'n's Family Hotel: A new resort hotel feature where visitors to a player's island can stay. - Luna's New Dream World: A new dream world feature. - Resetti Reset Service: A service to assist players in tidying up their island. - Slumber Islands: Smaller, alternative islands that players can decorate. - Quality of Life Improvements: This includes enhanced storage space and an island reset function.
For players using the Nintendo Switch 2, the native version of the game will offer specific enhancements, such as increased resolution and graphical quality, mouse control support, and increased multiplayer island player counts.
Source Reliability and Context
The information presented in this article is derived from multiple gaming news outlets that reported on Nintendo's official announcements via the company's X (formerly Twitter) account. The sources include GamingBible, ComicBook.com, ScreenRant, and Game8. These platforms are reporting on official communications and verified design IDs released by Nintendo. The Custom Design IDs and the Creator ID are provided directly in the source material, confirming their authenticity as official Nintendo content. The requirements for accessing the Custom Design Kiosk—unlocking the Able Sisters shop and having a Nintendo Switch Online membership—are consistent across all sources and align with the standard functionality of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The details about the 3.0 update, including its release date and new features, are also reported consistently by the cited sources.
It is important to note that these freebies are digital in-game items, not physical samples or products that can be shipped to consumers. They are a promotional incentive for players of a specific video game, tied to a service subscription (Nintendo Switch Online) and in-game progression.
Conclusion
Nintendo has provided Animal Crossing: New Horizons players with a set of three free custom designs—a knit cap, a hoodie, and a flag—to celebrate the 2026 New Year. These digital items are available for download via the in-game Custom Design Kiosk but require players to have unlocked the Able Sisters shop and maintain an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. The release of these freebies serves as a promotional prelude to the game's major 3.0 update, which is scheduled for January 15, 2026, and will introduce substantial new content and features, including support for the Nintendo Switch 2. For interested players, the process to claim the items is direct, involving inputting specific Design IDs at the kiosk. However, access is strictly limited to those who meet the game's progression and online service prerequisites.