If you thought you’d already wooed every eligible bachelor and bachelorette in Stardew Valley, think again — because Pelican Town is about to get spicier. In the upcoming 1.7 update, developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone is adding a pair of brand-new marriage candidates to the game’s lineup… and fans are already investing emotionally.
A Matchmaker’s Dream (Or Nightmare)
Once upon a time — okay, many farms ago — Stardew Valley offered twelve swoon-worthy villagers you could romance, woo, and convince to share a farmhouse with you. That cap has stood firm since the 1.1 update… until now. With two fresh faces on the way, your heart (and possibly your schedule) just got more crowded.
Barone confirmed in an interview that two brand-new marriage candidates will arrive in version 1.7, adding even more romantic potential to Pelican Town’s rolling fields. Who they are? That’s the real mystery — he’s itching to keep it a surprise until February 26, the game’s 10th anniversary.
Ten Years of Farmyard Feelings
Ten years. Ten glorious years of planting parsnips, rescuing bunnies, curing the community center, and perfecting your gourd layout. And now, on its decade anniversary, Stardew Valley is ready to drop another batch of content that will make players restart their heart meters — literally.
Sure, we’ve gotten legendary fish, mysterious events, and even a Meadowlands farm in the 1.6 update… but adding new love interests? That’s a whole new kind of update. Imagine bumping into someone at the Saloon, giving them a bouquet, and hearing them say something like, “You farm like you fight slimes — with style.” Swoon. (Okay, that’s purely hypothetical — but is it really that far-fetched?)
More Than Just Bouquet Levels
While lovebirds are undoubtedly the headline act of 1.7, Barone has hinted that this update won’t stop at romance. He’s teased expanded interactions and “lots more” social content — meaning deeper character stories, richer dialogue, and maybe even weird little moments that make Pelican Town feel even more alive.
Fans have been clamoring for more life across the valley — from pets that actually do farm chores (come on, let a dog herd sheep!) to villagers with evolving backstories and lives outside of stamp-collecting. The 1.7 update’s emphasis on relationships suggests those kinds of refinements could finally be on the horizon.
What Else is Brewing?
In addition to love and laughs, Barone’s comments suggest improvements to things everyone already lives with every day — including your farm kids. Reports indicate that children will be made “a little more interesting,” a nod to a long-standing community wish to see actual kid dynamics beyond nursery cuteness.
So, while Pelican Town’s romance roster expands, your family life might get less static and more story-rich, too.
When Will All This Happening?
Here’s the bittersweet part: no firm release date has been announced yet. Barone has been taking a famously careful, deliberate approach with updates — after all, Stardew Valley content has been free and meaningful for years now, and he wants to keep it that way. But mark your calendars for February 26, 2026: that’s when the identities of the new marriage candidates will be revealed.
Love Grows Where You Plant It
With Stardew Valley 1.7 on the horizon, the farm sim isn’t just sprouting crops — it’s sprouting feelings. Whether you’re a seasoned sentimentalist who has already married half of Pelican Town, or someone who’s played strictly for the joy of turning watermelons into gold, this update promises something for every kind of player.
Until then, sharpen your watering can, prep your favorite bouquet, and get ready — because Pelican Town’s romance chapter is about to enter a whole new season.