WordPress 7.0 Release Candidate 5  🔗 **Source:** [WordPress 7.0 Release Candidate 5](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2026/05/19/wordpress-7-0-release-candidate-5/) WordPress 7.0 RC5 is ready for download and testing! **This version of the WordPress software is still under development**. Please do not install, run, or test this version of WordPress on production or mission-critical websites. Instead, it’s recommended to test RC5 on a test server and site. WordPress 7.0 RC5 can be tested using any of the following methods: | | | | --- | --- | | **Plugin** | Install and activate the [WordPress Beta Tester](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/) plugin on a WordPress install. (Select the “Bleeding edge” channel and “Beta/RC Only” stream.) | | **Direct Download** | Download the [RC5 version (zip)](https://wordpress.org/wordpress-7.0-RC5.zip) and install it on a WordPress website. | | **Command Line** | Use this [WP-CLI](https://make.wordpress.org/cli/) command: `wp core update --version=7.0–RC5` | | **WordPress Playground** | Use the [WordPress Playground instance](https://playground.wordpress.net/?php=8.0&wp=beta&networking=no&language=&multisite=no&random=y4q1rn88xn) to test the software directly in your browser. No setup is required – just click and go! | The scheduled final release date for WordPress 7.0 **May 20, 2026**. The full [release schedule can be found here](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2026/04/22/wordpress-7-0-release-party-updated-schedule/). Your help testing Beta and RC versions is vital to making this release as stable and powerful as possible. Thank you to everyone who helps with testing! Please continue checking the [Make WordPress Core blog](https://make.wordpress.org/core/) for [7.0-related posts](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/7-0) in the coming weeks for more information. **What’s new in WordPress** **7.0**? Check out the [Field Guide](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2026/05/14/wordpress-7-0-field-guide/) for details and highlights. #### This is an extra RC Testing for issues is critical to the development of any software, and testing works! This RC is being released to test changes prior to the final release of 7.0. You can browse the technical details for all issues addressed since Beta 5 using these links: The 7.0 release is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th. As always, a successful release depends on your confirmation during testing. So please download and test! #### How to test this release Your help testing the WordPress 7.0 RC5 version is key to ensuring that the final release is the best it can be. While testing the upgrade process is essential, trying out new features is equally important. This [detailed guide](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2026/02/20/help-test-wordpress-7-0/) will walk you through testing features in WordPress 7.0. If you encounter an issue, please report it to the [Alpha/Beta area](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/) of the support forums or directly to [WordPress Trac](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket) if you are comfortable writing a reproducible bug report. You can also check your issue against a list of [known bugs](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major). Curious about testing releases in general? Follow along with the [testing initiatives in Make Core](https://make.wordpress.org/test/) and join the [#core-test channel](https://wordpress.slack.com/messages/core-test/) on [Making WordPress Slack](https://wordpress.slack.com/). #### A RC5 haiku *Gift for everyone* *RC5 shines like the sun* *Test it and have fun*, WordPress 7.0 Release Candidate 5, Amy Kamala (WordPress Core), 01ks18gebgyv9y58e1d8j6p41d.