- Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Beta date: Early access runs August 21–25, 2026.
- Open Beta window: All players can join from August 28 through September 1, 2026.
- Early access time: Beta Weekend 1 begins August 21 at 11:00 AM PT.
- Open access time: Beta Weekend 2 begins August 28 at 10:00 AM PT.
- Preload timing: Early access preload starts August 20; open access preload starts August 26.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Beta Date and Schedule
The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Beta date is divided into two scheduled participation windows in 2026. Beta Weekend 1 is reserved for qualifying pre-orders and pre-purchases, while Beta Weekend 2 opens access to all players on supported platforms without requiring a pre-order.
The official schedule lists the early access period from August 21 at 11:00 AM PT through August 25 at 10:00 AM PT. The open access period begins August 28 at 10:00 AM PT and ends September 1 at 10:00 AM PT. The beta is a limited-time test, so plan around the published windows rather than assuming access will remain available after the closing time.
| Beta period | Start date and time | End date and time | Access requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Access, Weekend 1 | August 21, 2026, 11:00 AM PT | August 25, 2026, 10:00 AM PT | Qualifying pre-order or pre-purchase |
| Open Beta, Weekend 2 | August 28, 2026, 10:00 AM PT | September 1, 2026, 10:00 AM PT | No pre-order required |
| Early Access preload | August 20, 2026, 9:00 AM PT | Before Weekend 1 begins | Eligible early access players |
| Open Beta preload | August 26, 2026, 9:00 AM PT | Before Weekend 2 begins | Players preparing for Weekend 2 |
Weekend 1
- Early access
- August 21–25, 2026
- Requires an eligible pre-order or pre-purchase
Weekend 2
- Open access
- August 28–September 1, 2026
- No pre-order is required
Full Launch
- Launch date
- October 23, 2026
- Beta rewards can be used in the full game after launch
Convert the PT times to your local time before the beta begins. The start and end times are specific, and access may vary by territory or retailer.
The full game is scheduled to launch on October 23, 2026. Rewards earned during the beta are intended to become playable in Modern Warfare 4 when the full game launches, while rewards unlocked during the test are immediately available for use within the beta.
For the latest schedule wording and participation notes, use the official Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta page.
Platforms and Eligibility
The beta supports multiple platforms across both weekends, but the access rules are not identical. Early access codes are listed for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC Battle.net, Xbox on PC, and PC Steam. Weekend 2 expands participation to all listed platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2.
A digital pre-order or pre-purchase through a participating first-party or PC storefront automatically validates early access in most cases. Retail purchases generally use a 13-character beta code that must be redeemed through the official Call of Duty redemption page.
| Platform or storefront | Weekend 1 early access | Weekend 2 open access | Code or validation note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S | Available with qualifying purchase | Available | Digital purchases are automatically validated |
| PlayStation 5 | Available with qualifying purchase | Available | Digital purchases are automatically validated |
| PC Battle.net | Available with qualifying purchase | Available | Digital pre-purchases are automatically validated |
| Xbox on PC | Available with qualifying purchase | Available | Early access eligibility applies |
| PC Steam | Available with qualifying purchase | Available | Digital pre-purchases are automatically validated |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Not listed for Weekend 1 codes | Available August 28, 2026 | No pre-order required for Weekend 2 |
An early access code is issued for the console selected during registration. Choose the correct platform before redeeming a retailer code.
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are scheduled to begin on August 26, 2026. Switch 2 players can enter the open beta during Weekend 2 beginning August 28, 2026, and the official information states that no pre-order is required for that weekend.
Participation can also depend on territory, retailer availability, internet access, and an online multiplayer subscription where applicable. These conditions may vary by platform and region, so review the current official terms before making a purchase decision.
How to Get Early Access
Early access is primarily tied to a qualifying pre-order or pre-purchase. Digital purchases through the Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, Battle.net, or Steam Store generally register the account automatically. Retail purchases from participating sellers usually provide a code on the receipt or through an email receipt.
Follow these steps to prepare for Beta Weekend 1:
Choose a Supported Platform
Select Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Xbox on PC, PC Battle.net, or PC Steam if you want the listed early access options. Confirm that the purchase is tied to the platform you plan to use.
Complete a Qualifying Purchase
Pre-order or pre-purchase Modern Warfare 4 through a participating retailer or supported digital storefront. Digital purchases generally provide automatic validation without a separate code.
Redeem a Retailer Code
If your retailer provides a 13-character early access beta code, sign in with an Activision account and enter it at the official beta redemption page.
Confirm Registration
After successful redemption, your account is registered for early access. An early access token is scheduled to arrive by email before the beta begins and can also be checked through the redemption page.
Preload the Beta
Eligible players can begin the Early Access preload on August 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM PT. Weekend 2 preload begins August 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM PT.
| Purchase method | Separate code needed? | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Store digital pre-order | Usually no | Sign in with the purchasing account and check beta availability |
| PlayStation Store digital pre-order | Usually no | Use the same PlayStation account connected to participation |
| Battle.net digital pre-purchase | Usually no | Confirm the beta appears on the associated Battle.net account |
| Steam digital pre-purchase | Usually no | Check the Steam account used for the purchase |
| Participating retail purchase | Usually yes | Find the receipt or email code and redeem it officially |
If a retail code is missing, unreadable, or lost, contact the retailer that issued it. Do not rely on unofficial code-sharing pages.
A free Activision account is required for code redemption. New accounts must complete email verification before the redemption process can be finished. Tokens are scheduled to be distributed shortly after the early access preload starts on August 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM PT.
Beta Content, Modes, and Weekend Differences
The Modern Warfare 4 Beta focuses on multiplayer content, with additional campaign and Warzone material planned across the test period. The announced multiplayer lineup includes core 6v6 maps and modes, plus Kill Block. Weekend 2 adds Ground War: Combat Outpost and the new Zodiac Resurgence map in Call of Duty: Warzone.
The single-player Campaign mission “Entrenched” is also included in the beta. Because content is distributed across the weekends, players who enter during Weekend 2 may see a broader selection than players who only join early access.
| Content area | Weekend 1 availability | Weekend 2 addition or status |
|---|---|---|
| Core multiplayer | Core 6v6 maps and modes | Continues during open access |
| Kill Block | Included in the announced beta lineup | Continues during open access |
| Campaign | “Entrenched” mission included | Remains part of the beta offering |
| Ground War | Not announced for Weekend 1 | Ground War: Combat Outpost introduced |
| Warzone | Not announced for Weekend 1 | Zodiac Resurgence map introduced |
| Beta rewards | Earned and usable in the beta | Earned rewards remain part of the test progression |
Weekend 2 is the key window for players interested in Ground War: Combat Outpost or the Zodiac Resurgence map, because both are specifically announced for that weekend.
To make the most of the available test period, start with the core 6v6 modes and use the first matches to check controller, mouse, audio, and network settings. If you are joining during Weekend 2, reserve time for the newly introduced Ground War and Warzone content rather than spending the entire session in one mode.
The beta also provides an opportunity to earn in-game rewards. Those rewards are immediately usable during the beta and are planned for use in Modern Warfare 4 after the October 23, 2026 launch.
Pre-Beta Checklist and FAQ
Use the checklist below to verify your account and installation before the relevant access window opens.
Pre-Beta Preparation:
- Confirm your selected platform and supported storefront
- Complete a qualifying pre-order or pre-purchase for Weekend 1 access
- Redeem a retailer code through the official Call of Duty page if required
- Verify your Activision account email before token distribution
- Start the correct preload on August 20 or August 26, 2026
| Date | Preparation target | Who should act |
|---|---|---|
| August 20, 2026 | Start Early Access preload at 9:00 AM PT | Eligible Weekend 1 players |
| August 21, 2026 | Join Early Access at 11:00 AM PT | Qualifying pre-order players |
| August 26, 2026 | Start Open Beta preload at 9:00 AM PT | Players preparing for Weekend 2 |
| August 28, 2026 | Join Open Beta at 10:00 AM PT | All eligible players |
| September 1, 2026 | Open Beta ends at 10:00 AM PT | All beta participants |
Install early when possible, verify the correct account, and keep your redemption information available until the beta token is confirmed.
Q: What is the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Beta date?
Early Access runs from August 21 at 11:00 AM PT through August 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT. Open Beta access runs from August 28 at 10:00 AM PT through September 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT.
Q: Do I need to pre-order for the open beta?
No. The official schedule states that all players can access Weekend 2 from August 28, 2026, and no pre-order is required for that weekend.
Q: Do digital pre-orders require an early access code?
Digital purchases through the Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, Battle.net, and Steam Store are generally automatically validated. Retail purchases may provide a 13-character code that must be redeemed.
Q: Which platforms are listed for the Modern Warfare 4 Beta?
The announced platforms include Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC Battle.net, Xbox on PC, PC Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2 for Weekend 2 open access.