http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=646436

The page also says the pre-release ships October 2nd, 2006.
I know it's not always accurate, but seems like we are getting the expansion this year after all, even if delayed.

Didn't think we would see it this year personally, it's not even in beta-testing as far as I'm aware?

Rarely accurate. I have yet to see a game that actually ships on the date that ebgames puts up on pre-releases.

The official Bliz statement on the matter was that Xpack would be out "before Christmas"

Since this will probably end up being a release date speculation thread, "before christmas" is my estimate.

I think the October 6th 2006 one has been on ebgames since the xpac was announced.

You know how many years Duke Nukem Forever had a release date on Ebgames.com?

Id be more inclined to say the game will be released around Christmas from a marketing standpoint. Blizzard will get maximum benefit this way with the holiday shopping season. If thats one thing Blizzard knows how to do right, its marketing their games.

AFAIK when you see a game with a release date of the "2nd" for any month it's an indication that it's a fake release date. EB uses this often I believe...

Last thing I heard was that they are going to do their best to get it out this year, but knowing Blizzard I really doubt it...

Really depends what bugs rear is ugly head during the beta test. I doubt Blizzard would release the expansion in a buggy form like some of their patches have been in the past due to the cost that players have to associate with it. I think once some of us get to see how polished the beta is will we have a good indication of when it will be released.

Diablo 2 XP was released on time.