Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta Dates Confirmed — Here’s When You Can Play

When can you play the Modern Warfare 4 beta?

The Modern Warfare 4 beta runs across two weekends, split between pre-order access and an open period. Early Access is scheduled for 21 to 25 August 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and requires a pre-order or pre-purchase. The open beta follows from 28 August to 1 September 2026 and is available to all players on every supported platform.

Activision says the beta begins immediately after the annual Call of Duty Next presentation wraps on 21 August, where the studio plans to show new gameplay and multiplayer details ahead of the test. The dates and platform breakdown are confirmed on the official Call of Duty blog and beta page, and independently reported by outlets including Gematsu.

How do you get into the Early Access beta?

Early Access is tied to a pre-order on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC. According to Activision’s official beta page, digital pre-orders placed through the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Battle.net, or Steam are automatically validated for Early Access, so no separate beta code is needed on those accounts.

Players who buy a physical copy or a digital code from a participating retailer are issued a 13-character Early Access beta code, which is redeemed with an Activision account before the beta begins. Anyone who would rather not commit to a pre-order can simply wait for the open beta from 28 August, which requires nothing beyond the game’s supported platforms.

What does the Switch 2 return mean for players?

Nintendo Switch 2 is the notable addition to this beta, and it joins from the open weekend rather than Early Access. Activision has confirmed that Switch 2 pre-orders open on 26 August 2026, and that Switch 2 owners can play from the open beta on 28 August without pre-ordering — a step Activision frames as Call of Duty’s return to a Nintendo platform.

That inclusion tracks with earlier reporting: our own coverage noted that Modern Warfare 4 skips PS4 while adding Switch 2, a shift in the series’ platform strategy. What Activision has not spelled out in this announcement is the detailed platform history of recent entries, though those games were not released on Switch. Standard Nintendo Switch Online requirements apply for online play on Switch 2, as they do across Nintendo’s online titles.

What content is in the beta?

Activision has not confirmed exactly which maps and modes will feature in the beta, but it has outlined the content players can expect from Modern Warfare 4’s multiplayer. The studio says the game will ship with 19 different weapons, new Operators, 3v3 skirmishes, large-scale battles with tanks, a new mode called Kill Block, the return of Search & Destroy, and a Training Mobility Course.

The beta is also where players will get their first hands-on with Gunny, an AI assistant in the loadout screen designed to help build weapon setups. Buyers of the Vault Edition get immediate access to exclusive Operators during the beta, including Price, Ghost, Valeria, and Blix. Modern Warfare 4 launches on 23 October 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, with Activision saying more map and mode details will follow in the coming weeks. Our sister site IGN Middle East has also detailed the game’s bespoke Aston Martin-designed tactical vehicle ahead of launch.