A surprise on-air comment may have just confirmed Leon’s return in Resident Evil 9: Requiem.
Resident Evil fans have a lot to look forward to next year. Resident Evil 9: Requiem is officially set to launch on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Capcom has already confirmed a few key details, including the dual first- and third-person camera options, a return to Raccoon City, and Grace Ashcroft as the new lead character.
With Tokyo Game Show underway, many players are expecting Capcom to drop a brand-new trailer to keep the hype rolling. On top of the official news, the game has been at the center of constant leaks and rumors.
From whispers about its open-level design and vehicle travel, to speculation that this could be the final “mainline” Resident Evil, it’s been a constant flood of info. Now, a new slip during this year’s Gamescom coverage has practically confirmed something fans have been speculating about for months.
Leon Kennedy’s Return in Resident Evil 9
During IGN’s Gamescom Awards 2025 livestream, host Jane Douglas casually dropped a line while praising the RE Engine’s graphics, which all but confirms that Leon is returning in Resident Evil 9. While commenting on the game’s visuals, she said:
“Next time you’re looking at some Resident Evil Requiem footage, the hair — RE Engine goes so hard on hair, Leon’s, Grace’s — looking spectacular.”
It’s a quick mention, but it’s a huge deal. By directly naming Leon alongside Grace in reference to Requiem footage, this moment comes off as an unintentional confirmation that Leon is indeed part of Resident Evil 9.
So while this isn’t a press release from Capcom, it sure sounds like Leon is in the game, and likely in a big way. The moment quickly caught fire across social media, garnering hundreds of thousands of views in less than 24 hours.
This slip adds fuel to the fire of existing reports. Reliable leakers like Dusk Golem have already claimed Leon plays a major role in the upcoming game, with some even suggesting this could be his final send-off story in the series. Now, hearing his name spoken on an official broadcast makes that rumor much harder to ignore.
Of course, it’s still important to point out that Capcom itself has yet to officially confirm Leon’s involvement. Until then, the safe move is to take everything with a grain of salt. But for longtime fans of the franchise, seeing Leon return alongside a brand-new lead could be one of the most exciting team-ups in Resident Evil history.
So, what do you think? Are you excited to finally see Leon in a mainline Resident Evil game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
