Clarification on the transition from Classic Story Maps to ArcGIS StoryMaps

Question

Hello from Spain 🙂

A client recently asked me about the transition from Classic Story Maps to the new ArcGIS StoryMaps. I have reviewed the available information online, but I have not found a definitive end date for Classic Story Maps. In some places I have seen November 2025 mentioned, while in others the first quarter of 2026 is referenced. Is there an official timeline for this transition?

Additionally, I would like to clarify whether Classic Story Maps will stop functioning entirely after this date, or if they will remain accessible in some form.

Lastly, I came across this link to a conversion tool:
https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-storymaps-blog/try-the-classic-story-conversion-helper/ba-p/1262201
Has anyone tested it, and if so, how reliable is it?

Thanks!

Pili · Answer

Thank you so much!!

I’m also going to add this information that someone from the StoryMaps team sent me, in case it’s useful for anyone else.

"The best place to look for information related to the retirement timeline is here:

Esri Story Maps Retirement | Transition to ArcGIS StoryMaps

Classic Esri Story Maps Roadmap for Retirement (referenced in the link above)

Retirement is currently set for Q1 2026.

There is an important blog link in the second resource above that has lots of practical information about managing the retirement of classic stories:

Managing the classic Esri Story Maps retirement in... - Esri Community

The conversion tool will help authors migrate content (text, media, links to web maps/apps, etc.) from some classic stories (cascade, series, journal) to ArcGIS StoryMaps. It is not a one-click solution, and we recommend that authors review the result and modify it to fit their needs and to take advantage of any new features/layouts that might improve their classic stories. It is one recommended approach that can help automate the work of copying text and re-adding images/links to a new version of a classic story.

There are additional articles about remaking classic stories referenced in the links above. For example, there is another article about remaking Shortlist stories via a simple data migration process."

RClavero · Answer

Hello @Pili,

* For ArcGIS Online: Q1 2026. (I understand the changes will take place after the new ArcGIS Online release of Q1 2026.)
* For ArcGIS Enteprise: If you are at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9.1 or earlier, you will still have them available. After upgrading to ArcGIS Enterprise 11.x they will not be there anymore.

I also read: "After this date: Esri Story Maps stories will no longer be accessible via their previous arcgis.com URLs." --> For ArcGIS Online.

I checked those two ArcGIS Blog articles: 1 and 2; the first one was updated earlier this year. I see the same info here. I haven't tested/used that conversion tool, unfortunately.