Salesforce releases new platform updates three times a year: Spring, Summer, and Winter. Each release introduces hundreds of improvements, new features, and security updates designed to help teams work more efficiently and deliver better customer experiences.
Although Salesforce hasn’t announced the official timeline for the Summer ’26 Release yet, you can still start planning. Based on previous release cycles, we can estimate the key milestones from sandbox preview to production rollout.
Below are the approximate dates you should keep in mind.
Note: These dates are estimates based on previous Salesforce release cycles. We’ll update this article as soon as the official Summer ’26 schedule is published.
April 2026: Sign Up for a Pre-Release Org
The first step in preparing for a new Salesforce release is exploring upcoming features in a pre-release Developer Edition org.
These environments allow admins and developers to test new functionality before it becomes available in sandbox or production environments. It’s a great opportunity to get familiar with the upcoming changes and start evaluating how they might affect your Salesforce setup.
Based on previous release timelines, pre-release orgs are typically available in mid-to-late April.
Late April 2026: Explore the Release Notes
Salesforce usually publishes detailed Release Notes a few weeks before the sandbox preview begins.
This is your first chance to explore the new functionality included in the upcoming release. The notes cover hundreds of updates across Salesforce products, including improvements for admins, developers, and end users.
When reviewing the release notes, focus on the features that are relevant to the products and clouds your organization uses.
Early May 2026: Prepare for the Sandbox Preview
Before the sandbox preview begins, Salesforce sets a deadline for refreshing your sandbox if you want it upgraded early.
Sandboxes are divided into two categories during each release cycle:
- Preview instances, which receive the upcoming release earlier
- Non-preview instances, which stay on the current version until production upgrades begin
If you want early access to Summer ’26 features, you’ll need to refresh your sandbox before the official cutoff date.
Early May 2026: Sandbox Preview Begins
Once the preview starts, selected sandboxes are upgraded to the upcoming release. The sandbox preview is an essential step for testing and validation. During this period, teams can:
- Test new features and functionality
- Validate integrations and automations
- Check compatibility with custom code
- Prepare internal documentation or training materials
Running tests during the preview phase helps ensure everything works as expected before the production rollout.
May–June 2026: Production Release Weekends
Your organization’s exact upgrade date will depend on your Salesforce instance. According to the Trust Status page, the main release weekends will likely be:
- May 9, 2026
- June 6, 2026
- June 12, 2026
To find out when your production environment will receive the Summer ’26 features, check the Maintenance Calendar.
Get Ready for the Summer ’26 Release
Even before the official dates are confirmed, there are several things you can do now to prepare:
- Review the release notes when they become available
- Plan sandbox testing during the preview phase
- Identify new features that may impact your workflows
- Communicate upcoming changes to your team
- Verify integrations and customizations ahead of the production rollout
Preparing early helps ensure a smooth transition when the new release goes live.
