When is Hogwarts Legacy set?

Two characters in Hogwarts Legacy.

Two characters in Hogwarts Legacy.
April 7, 2023: We've scoured for information.

Of course, the specific story beats of Hogwarts Legacy are still being discovered. Character customisation, the game's map, and other features have been, but the story is still somewhat of a mystery to many. However, one fact we do know is when Hogwarts Legacy is set.

In this guide, we'll go over when Hogwarts Legacy is set, where it fits in the larger Harry Potter timeline, and what that means for what characters could make an appearance.

We also have guides on whether multiplayer is in Hogwarts Legacy and whether you can choose your house, so check them out.

When does Hogwarts Legacy take place?

The character in Hogwarts Legacy.
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If you head to the official Hogwarts Legacy website and check out the frequently asked questions, you will find out that the game is set in the 1800s. The full answer the developers give is:

  • Question: What kind of game is Hogwarts Legacy?
  • Answer: Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world, action role-playing game set in the 1800s wizarding world, which puts players at the centre of their own adventure.

During the State of Play official gameplay reveal video, the developers also announced that the game will take place in the late 1800s. Since the Harry Potter books were set in the 90s and early 2000s, you're not going to meet the classic cast of characters in the new game.

Characters in Hogwarts Legacy

Multiple characters in Hogwarts Legacy.
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While the majority of the characters you'll encounter will be original, there will be some familiar faces. The only officially confirmed character so far is Headless Nick, but there could be more.

Talking about Harry, Hermione, and other legendary characters, there is nearly zero chance that they will appear in the game. Even though most people hope they will see their favourite heroes, flash forwards or additional scenes it all we'd see them in. For now, we think that's pretty unlikely.

That’s it for when Hogwarts Legacy is set and what character you can encounter. There'll no doubt be more secrets uncovered once people have had time with the game. While you wait for launch day, check out our guide on how big the Hogwarts Legacy map is. If you want even more, here's how to get the broom in Hogwarts Legacy and how to open door puzzles in Hogwarts Legacy.