Modern Warfare 4 Beta: Dates, Preload & Early Access

Aug 19, 2026

The wait is almost over for Call of Duty fans. Activision and Infinity Ward are preparing to open the doors to the Modern Warfare 4 beta, giving players their first substantial opportunity to experience this year’s Call of Duty before its October release.

Activision released additional beta information on August 19, confirming preload details, Early Access and Open Beta timing, PC requirements, rewards and more ahead of Call of Duty: NEXT.

The first round of Early Access begins August 21, while the fully open portion of the beta kicks off one week later on August 28.

This year’s test is particularly notable because Activision is going considerably beyond the traditional Call of Duty multiplayer beta. Players will get opportunities to experience Multiplayer, a Campaign mission and, during the second weekend, Call of Duty: Warzone.

Here’s what you need to know before jumping in.

When Does the Modern Warfare 4 Beta Start?

The Modern Warfare 4 beta is divided into two separate periods.

Weekend One — Early Access

Early Access begins:

August 21 at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET

The first beta period runs through:

August 25 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET

Early Access is available to eligible players who preorder Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 or PC.

Players purchasing a qualifying physical edition through a participating retailer should receive a 13-character Early Access Beta code. Digital preorders through supported platform stores are automatically registered and don’t require a separate code.

Nintendo Switch 2 is not included in the Early Access weekend.

Weekend Two — Open Beta

The second weekend opens the beta to everyone.

The Open Beta begins:

August 28 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET

It concludes:

September 1 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET

No preorder is required for Weekend Two.

The Open Beta will be available across supported platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2.

That means anyone interested in trying Modern Warfare 4 before buying it will have an opportunity to do so during the second weekend.

Modern Warfare 4 Beta Preload Times

Players won’t have to wait until the servers open to begin downloading.

Activision has confirmed that eligible Early Access players can begin preloading at:

August 20 at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET

Players waiting for the second Open Beta weekend can begin preloading on:

August 26 at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET

Preloading should be particularly useful for anyone with a slower internet connection who wants to be ready when the servers go live.

This Isn’t Just a Multiplayer Beta

One of the biggest changes this year is the sheer amount of content Activision is putting into the beta.

Call of Duty betas have traditionally concentrated heavily on competitive multiplayer. Modern Warfare 4 is expanding that concept by providing players with a taste of multiple major components of the game.

That includes Multiplayer, Campaign and Call of Duty: Warzone content across the two beta weekends.

It’s an ambitious approach that effectively turns the test into an early preview of the broader Modern Warfare 4 package.

A Modern Warfare 4 Campaign Mission Is Included

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the inclusion of a playable Campaign mission.

Players will be able to experience Entrenched, providing an early look at Modern Warfare 4’s single-player experience before launch.

Campaign gameplay isn’t normally the centerpiece of a Call of Duty beta, making its inclusion one of the more interesting aspects of this year’s event.

For players who primarily buy Call of Duty for its story rather than competitive multiplayer, the Campaign preview gives them a reason to participate as well.

It also gives Infinity Ward an opportunity to showcase the tone, presentation and gameplay direction of the new Campaign months before players experience the complete story.

Warzone Joins the Beta During Weekend Two

Warzone is also getting involved.

During the Open Beta weekend beginning August 28, players will be able to experience content from the next evolution of Call of Duty: Warzone.

That includes the new Zodiac Resurgence map.

Bringing Warzone into the beta makes this one of the broadest pre-release Call of Duty tests Activision has offered, particularly when combined with traditional multiplayer and the Campaign mission.

It also gives Activision an opportunity to test Modern Warfare 4’s gameplay systems across several very different environments before launch.

Multiplayer Remains at the Center of the Experience

Of course, Multiplayer remains a major component of the Modern Warfare 4 beta.

Players will be able to put Infinity Ward’s latest movement, gunplay, weapons and multiplayer design through their paces across multiple maps and modes.

The beta isn’t simply a preview event, either.

Large-scale public testing gives Infinity Ward valuable information about weapon balancing, spawning, networking, map flow, performance and other systems that can be difficult to evaluate under normal internal testing conditions.

Feedback generated during the two weekends could therefore help shape adjustments ahead of launch.

PC Players Should Check Their Systems

PC players should make sure their machines are prepared before the beta begins.

Activision’s latest beta information includes updated PC requirements and performance details. Players should also ensure that required security features such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are properly configured.

Checking those requirements before downloading the beta could prevent an unpleasant surprise when Early Access begins.

With preload opening August 20, PC players have a little time to make sure their systems are ready.

Call of Duty: NEXT Takes Place August 21

The start of Early Access isn’t the only major Call of Duty event happening this week.

Call of Duty: NEXT takes place August 21, the same day the first beta weekend begins.

The showcase is expected to provide a much deeper look at Modern Warfare 4 and the future of Call of Duty, giving players more information about the game as they begin experiencing it themselves.

That combination makes August 21 one of the most important dates on this year’s Call of Duty calendar.

When Does Modern Warfare 4 Release?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 officially launches October 23, 2026.

Infinity Ward is leading development, with the game coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.

Unlike several previous Call of Duty releases, Modern Warfare 4 will not launch on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, marking a complete move away from the previous console generation.

Players who purchase eligible editions will also receive Campaign Early Access beginning October 16.

A Much Bigger Call of Duty Beta

There’s a lot riding on Modern Warfare 4, and Activision appears determined to get the game into as many players’ hands as possible before launch.

Offering Multiplayer alongside a Campaign mission and eventually Warzone makes the Modern Warfare 4 beta substantially more representative of the complete Call of Duty experience than a traditional multiplayer-only test.

Preorder customers get their first opportunity beginning August 21. Everyone else only needs to wait another week before the doors open on August 28.

For players still undecided about Modern Warfare 4, Weekend Two could be the perfect opportunity to find out whether Infinity Ward’s latest Call of Duty deserves a place in their library when the full game arrives October 23.