The upcoming Stardew Valley 1.7 update is set to introduce two new characters available for marriage. This announcement, made by creator Eric Barone (ConcernedApe) in celebration of the game's 10th anniversary, has generated considerable discussion among players regarding the identities of these potential spouses. While the official reveal is slated for February 26th, the community is actively theorizing, with suggestions ranging from entirely new individuals to established non-marriageable characters within Pelican Town.

Context of the Announcement
Eric Barone, the sole developer behind Stardew Valley, shared details about the 1.7 update during an interview with IGN. He confirmed that the update, in addition to other features like a new farm type and quality-of-life improvements, would include two additional marriage candidates.

The official anniversary date, February 26th, has been set as the day for the full reveal of these new characters.
This update marks the first addition of new romance options since version 1.1 of the game.
The timing of the announcement coincides with the 10th anniversary of Stardew Valley, a milestone celebrating a decade of continuous development and support.
Player Reactions and Speculation
The confirmation of new marriage candidates has led to widespread player engagement online, particularly on platforms like Reddit. Players are dissecting existing game lore and character interactions to predict who might be added to the roster of romanceable NPCs.
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Discussions often revolve around whether the new characters will be entirely new creations or if existing, currently non-marriageable villagers will become available.
Certain fan-favorite characters who are not currently marriage options, such as Sandy, the owner of the Oasis shop, have been frequently mentioned in these speculative discussions.
Some players have proposed that introducing characters like Clint, the town's blacksmith, as a marriage option could present interesting narrative challenges for the developer.
The introduction of new marriage candidates is expected to bring with it new heart events and dialogue, enriching the game's social simulation elements.
Potential Candidates and Community Theories
While official information remains limited, several existing characters are recurring subjects of fan theories due to their established presence and undeveloped romantic storylines.

Sandy: Her solitary location at the Calico Desert and her generally positive interactions with the player make her a popular candidate for an expanded role.
Clint: As a single character with a long-standing, unrequited affection for Emily (another marriage candidate), his potential inclusion raises questions about how his narrative might be handled.
Other theories suggest that characters who currently have established relationships, or even those with minimal in-game presence, could be revisited.
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The anticipation for the 1.7 update is high, with players eager to see how these new romantic avenues will be integrated into the world of Stardew Valley.
Sources
Screen Rant: Published 2 days ago. Article discusses community debate and speculation surrounding the new marriage candidates.https://screenrant.com/stardew-valley-new-marriage-candidates-officially-confirmed/
IGN: Published Feb 3, 2026. Features an exclusive reveal from an interview with ConcernedApe about the 1.7 update.https://www.ign.com/articles/stardew-valleys-17-update-will-add-2-new-marriage-candidates
TheGamer: Published 6 days ago. Reports on the addition of new romance options in the 1.7 update.https://www.thegamer.com/stardew-valley-update-new-marriage-partner-options/
Nintendo Life: Published 6 days ago. Covers ConcernedApe's tease about new marriage candidates for the 1.7 update.https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/stardew-valley-creator-teases-two-more-marriage-candidates-for-update-1-7
GamesRadar: Published 6 days ago. Details the confirmation of two new marriage candidates and player theories.https://www.gamesradar.com/games/simulation/stardew-valley-1-7-update-will-add-2-more-marriage-candidates-and-fans-theorize-they-could-be-anyone-from-the-farming-sims-past-villagers-like-sandy-to-entirely-new-npcs/
Gamerant: Published 5 days ago. Analyzes likely candidates for the two new marriage options in update 1.7.https://gamerant.com/stardew-valley-update-1-7-villagers-marriage-romance/
PC Gamer: Published 4 days ago. Provides key details and the latest news on the Stardew Valley 1.7 update, confirming new marriage candidates.https://www.pcgamer.com/games/life-sim/stardew-valley-1-7-guide/
Game8: Published 6 days ago. Reports on the confirmed addition of two new marriage candidates and other potential features in update 1.7.https://game8.co/articles/latest/stardew-valley-1-7-update-to-add-two-new-marriage-candidates-and-more
Stardew Valley Mods Org: Published Sep 17, 2025. A guide discussing marriage and spouses within the game, providing context on the existing marriage system.https://stardewvalleymods.org/stardew-valley-marriage/
Stardew Valley Wiki: Published Jan 1, 2026. Provides detailed information on the marriage mechanics, including children and spouse interactions.https://stardewvalleywiki.com/Marriage
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