Naughty Dog has released a free animated background for PS5 as it prepares to celebrate The Last of Us Day 2026. The studio behind Sony’s post-apocalyptic franchise took to social media to tease its plans for this year’s festivities. The official date is September 26, but announcements won’t land until Monday the 28th.
The Free Background
PlayStation has added a fresh The Last of Us-themed background for PS5 owners to use on the Welcome Hub landing page. The downloadable wallpaper includes both the younger and older versions of Ellie from the two mainline games, and it arrives without any need for a separate download. While it’s a modest addition, it offers a welcome nod to fans who continue to hope for a proper return of the series through new games.
We’ll be celebrating #TLOUDay on Monday, but we do have a fun surprise for you today. 🧡🩵
On September 26, 2026, the studio posted word of the change. Players must go to the Welcome Hub, find the Change Background button in the top corner of the screen, and pick The Last of Us background from the Games tab to claim it.
What Comes Next
September 28 is set to deliver further details about the franchise, according to Naughty Dog’s promises. It doesn’t appear that something like The Last of Us Part 3 will be part of the conversation, but the team has said they will share a “partnership announcement, a very cool collaboration, digital surprises, and more.”. There will also be a No Return charity stream on Twitch.
The studio’s remarks keep the door open without making a full commitment. Fans must wait a few more days before they learn more about The Last of Us Day event.
HBO Castings
Three fresh faces joined HBO’s The Last of Us Season 3, with John Goodman, Laura Bailey, and Ian Alexander all landing roles on the show’s cast.
The newcomer Goodman joins the cast as an award-winning actor, taking on the role of a fresh character called Joey. Bailey returns to voice work, having previously played Abby in The Last of Us Part 2 and a nurse in The Last of Us Season 1. She now steps into the part of a Seraphite leader named Elizabeth. Alexander rounds out the trio, bringing a currently unnamed character to life after his first appearance as Lev in the second game.
The Long Road to Part 3
There has been no confirmation from Sony regarding a The Last of Us Part 3, while work on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet carries on. Fans continue to wait for an announcement, and they hope it comes soon.
A remark made by Neil Druckmann in March of this year set off speculation that a third chapter in Ellie’s story was on its way.
Our Take
The animated background is a small gesture, but it lands well. It’s free, easy to install, and it lets fans dress up their console with a touch of Ellie. The fact that it’s animated at all is a pleasant surprise, even if it’s not the dynamic themes or wallpapers fans have begged Sony to bring back.
The HBO additions bring a charge of anticipation. Goodman, Bailey, and Alexander are all proven performers, and their parts in the series point toward a tale that broadens the world of The Last of Us. That is a hopeful sign for fans who wish to see the franchise carry on past the format where it began.
The studio has announced a partnership and hinted at digital surprises for September 28, though neither has been fully explained yet. The charity stream adds a welcome touch, but it doesn’t count as a major announcement on its own. The studio is obviously saving something for September 28.
The lack of a confirmed Part 3 announcement is frustrating, but it’s not surprising. Today’s news shows the studio is paying attention to fans — the background is proof of that.
Fans will have to wait a few more days to see what Naughty Dog has planned for The Last of Us Day 2026. The animated wallpaper is a nice start, and the HBO castings are a bonus. But the big question — when we finally get The Last of Us Part 3 — remains unanswered.
Source material: “The Last of Us Gets Animated Background on PS5 as Naughty Dog Teases Announcements for TLOU Day 2026,” IGN.
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