When is the Modern Warfare 4 open beta?

Activision lists Early Access Beta from August 21 to August 25 for pre-orders on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC. The Open Beta runs August 28 to September 1 for all platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2.

Do digital Modern Warfare 4 pre-orders need a beta code?

No. Activision says digital pre-orders through Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, Battle.net and Steam are automatically validated for early access. Participating retail pre-orders use a 13-character code at callofduty.com/betaredeem.

Can Nintendo Switch 2 players join the Modern Warfare 4 beta?

Yes. Switch 2 players can join the Open Beta during Weekend 2 from August 28 to September 1. No pre-order is required for that weekend, and Nintendo Switch Online is required for online play.

Open Beta

MW4 Beta dates: two official weekends

Activision now lists Early Access from August 21-25 and an all-platform Open Beta from August 28-September 1. Exact times, preload and final availability remain subject to official updates.

Confirmed

Open Beta exists

Activision confirms an MW4 open beta and pre-order early access.

Confirmed

Weekend 1: Aug 21-25

Early Access Beta for digital pre-orders on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC.

Confirmed

Weekend 2: Aug 28-Sep 1

Open Beta for all players on all platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2.

Confirmed

Call of Duty: NEXT: Aug 21

The broadcast is scheduled immediately before the first Beta weekend and will show more multiplayer details.

Boundary

Exact times may change

Activision says launch dates, times, platform availability and Beta duration remain subject to change.

Boundary

Preload still unannounced

The dates are official, but preload timing, regional availability and final content details still need the official FAQ.

Modern Warfare 4 beta date summary

The Modern Warfare 4 beta now has one early-access window and one open window. Weekend One is for eligible pre-orders on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC from August 21 to August 25. Weekend Two is the Modern Warfare 4 open beta for all listed platforms from August 28 to September 1.

Use those dates for planning time off, downloads and squad scheduling, but keep the official FAQ as the final source for local start times. Activision still marks launch timing, platform availability and duration as subject to change, so this page separates confirmed date ranges from preload or regional details that are not final yet.

Verified July 20, 2026

Official Beta schedule

Official July 20 post

Weekend One begins August 21 immediately after Call of Duty: NEXT and ends August 25. It is the Early Access Beta for pre-orders on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC. Weekend Two runs August 28 through September 1 and opens the Beta to all players on all platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2.

Before Aug 21: If you pre-ordered digitally, sign in to the eligible Xbox, PlayStation, Battle.net or Steam account that owns the order. Digital pre-orders are validated automatically for Early Access.
Retail orders: Keep the retailer receipt or email. Participating retail orders use a 13-character Early Access code registered through the Activision redemption flow.
Switch 2: Nintendo Switch 2 players join during Weekend 2 from August 28. No pre-order is required for that open weekend, but Nintendo Switch Online is required to play online.

Preparation checklist

Get the right access path

Official Beta FAQ

Before Aug 21

If you pre-ordered digitally, sign in to the eligible Xbox, PlayStation, Battle.net or Steam account that owns the order. Digital pre-orders are validated automatically for Early Access.

Retail orders

Keep the retailer receipt or email. Participating retail orders use a 13-character Early Access code registered through the Activision redemption flow.

Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 players join during Weekend 2 from August 28. No pre-order is required for that open weekend, but Nintendo Switch Online is required to play online.

A date on the calendar does not guarantee a specific local start time or preload. Check the official Beta FAQ again before the weekend begins, and keep any retailer code tied to the one platform selected during registration.

Set up early access before August 21

01Digital order on an eligible platform. Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, Battle.net and Steam purchases are automatically validated for early access; they do not need a code redemption.
02Retail order: keep the receipt or email. Participating retailers provide a 13-character early-access code. Sign in to an Activision account, choose the one platform you want the token for, and register it at callofduty.com/betaredeem.
03Check the account email. Tokens are sent nearer the beta start and regional or retailer availability can differ. Do not assume a date or a preload window from an old post.

Digital pre-orders on eligible stores are validated automatically; retail orders use an Early Access code. For edition contents, campaign access and the purchase decision, see the editions and pre-order guide.

What we are waiting on

The official post gives the two Beta windows, but the disclaimer still allows actual dates, times and platform availability to change. Use the linked FAQ as the final timing authority.

Preload timing, regional availability and some final Beta content details remain unannounced. Territory and retailer availability can vary, and retail-code tokens apply only to the platform selected during registration.