HBO Just Accidentally Tipped The ‘Game Of Thrones’ Season 5 Premiere Date [UPDATED]

The fifth season of Game of Thrones looks to be one of the hit HBO fantasy series’ biggest yet, and now we have a better idea of when we can expect to see it. In a little noticed press release, HBO gave us a pretty narrow window for the Game of Thrones premiere, and it’s going to be here before you know it.

UPDATE: In a late-Thursday update, HBO confirmed that the fifth season of Game of Thrones will kick off on Sunday, April 12, at 9 PM.

We still don’t have an exact date for the Game of Thrones Season 5 premiere, since HBO is remaining tight-lipped regarding just about everything concerning the show. There have been reports that Thrones was experiencing some production delays, but it looks like we can chalk those up to poor information, thanks to the watchful eyes over at Winter Is Coming. They spotted a rare slip-up on HBO’s part in a press release for Game of Thrones: The Exhibition, one that gives us a definite window for Season 5’s debut.

“Visitors will journey to the top of the iconic 700ft Wall by stepping into a physical recreation of the Castle Black winch elevator and wearing the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset and a pair of headphones. From that moment on, they will find themselves inside a virtual version of the elevator – one that looks, sounds and feels extremely real, providing an unprecedented, immersive ‘Game of Thrones’ experience. The exhibition will showcase over 70 original artifacts used on set from seasons 1-4 plus select never-before-seen pieces from Season 5 premiering in April 2015.”

Up until now, it’s generally been assumed that, barring any production delays or accidents on set, we’d likely be seeing Game of Thrones’ new season premiering in April. As Winter Is Coming notes, a good number of sites have gone even further in predicting Game of Thrones‘ premiere date. IGN says it will be April 5, the first Sunday in April. The first season premiered on April 17, while Seasons 2, 3, and 4 premiered on April 1, March 31, and April 6, respectively. An April premiere window for the show’s fifth season was probably a safe bet, but now it looks like we’ve got confirmation.

What can we expect from the fifth season? This one promises to see Game of Thrones’ best-loved characters in drastically changed circumstances, with twists and turns coming that you’d never expect. Readers of the Song of Ice and Fire series will already know a good deal of what’s on the way for this season, but even they might be surprised by the fifth season’s intrigues, if a certain actor’s haircut is as portentous as some say it is.

So rest assured, Game of Thrones fans: Winter is indeed coming, and it looks like – just like in years previous – we can look forward to early spring for it to get here.

[Lead image via Hallels.]