When does Modern Warfare 4 release?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 releases on October 23, 2026 at midnight local time on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.

When can I preload Modern Warfare 4?

PC players who digitally pre-purchase can preload starting October 15, 2026 at 9 AM PT - the official PC post covers Xbox on PC, Battle.net and Steam. Console preload dates have not been officially announced yet.

When is Modern Warfare 4 campaign early access?

Modern Warfare 4 campaign early access begins on October 16, 2026 for players who digitally pre-order or pre-purchase the game, subject to platform availability and time-zone differences.

When was the Modern Warfare 4 open beta?

The Early Access Beta ran August 21-25 and the all-platform Open Beta ran August 28 to September 1, including Nintendo Switch 2. Both windows are complete.

Do Modern Warfare 4 beta rewards carry over?

Yes. Unlocked Beta Rewards become available in the full game when Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23, 2026. Beta progression such as rank and weapon levels does not carry over.

Is Modern Warfare 4 on Switch 2?

Yes. Modern Warfare 4 is confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2, alongside PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Modern Warfare 4

Everything tracked for the October 23 launch

A source-tracked MW4 hub: release countdown, preload and unlock times, campaign trailer intel, editions and PC requirements status — with confirmed facts separated from what is still TBA.

Launch countdown

days to October 23, 2026

Release date

Confirmed

October 23, 2026

Campaign early access

Confirmed

October 16, 2026

PC preload

New

Oct 15, 9 AM PT

Console preload

Watch

TBA

Full unlock

Confirmed

Oct 23, midnight local

Preload & unlock times

PC preload starts October 15 at 9 AM PT, campaign early access October 16, full unlock October 23 at midnight local time - console preload still TBA.

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Campaign & cast

The Sept 17 TGS trailer: Price hunted by Ghost, the Korea invasion, The Archer, reported Mads Mikkelsen casting and October 16 access.

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Open Beta recap

Both weekends are done. Unlocked beta rewards carry to the Oct 23 launch; progression resets.

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Editions & pre-order

Standard vs Vault, beta early access, campaign early access, and the loyalty discount.

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System requirements

Official beta minimum and recommended PC specs are available, including SSD storage, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.

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The short version

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 was announced on May 28, 2026 and launches on October 23, 2026 at midnight local time across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. Digital pre-orders unlock campaign early access on October 16, and PC preload starts October 15 at 9 AM PT. Console preload windows are still unannounced - the preload tracker updates the moment they are.

The Open Beta ran two official windows: Early Access from August 21-25 and an all-platform Open Beta from August 28-September 1. Both are complete; unlocked beta rewards carry to launch. The September 17 Tokyo Game Show trailer confirmed the campaign's stakes - Price hunted by Ghost and Gaz, the invasion of South Korea, and a new enemy called The Archer - with media reporting Mads Mikkelsen as the villain.

Verified October 2, 2026

Latest official intel: launch timing

Official Sept 29 PC post

Oct 2: Preload check

Activision's September 29 PC post confirms PC preload begins October 15 at 9 AM PT (Xbox on PC, Battle.net and Steam) and states the full game releases October 23 at midnight local time. Console preload windows remain unannounced as of October 2 - tracked on the preload page.

Sept 17: TGS trailer

The official Tokyo Game Show Campaign Trailer confirms Ghost and Gaz are tasked with capturing or killing Captain Price, North Korea has invaded South Korea, Valeria Garza returns as an unlikely ally, and a new enemy called The Archer takes center stage. Media reports put Mads Mikkelsen in the villain role.

Sept 1: Beta closed

The Open Beta ended September 1. The official Open Beta FAQ says unlocked Beta Rewards become available in the full game when Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23; beta progression does not carry.

July 20: Beta dates

Activision scheduled Early Access Beta for August 21-25 and the all-platform Open Beta for August 28-September 1, including Nintendo Switch 2 in Weekend 2.

July 16: Dreadnought

Activision says the Aston Martin Dreadnought is a bespoke in-game tactical SUV for Modern Warfare 4 and Warzone, with launch availability in selected MW4 DMZ and Warzone points of interest.

What it confirms

The September PC post also confirms ray tracing across Campaign, Multiplayer and DMZ - DMZ officially returns as a launch mode - plus a 115 GB SSD storage requirement on PC.

October 2 source check

What you can act on now

Source policy

Use as confirmed

October 23 launch at midnight local time, October 16 campaign early access on all platforms including Switch 2, PC preload from October 15 at 9 AM PT, the September 17 TGS Campaign Trailer story beats, DMZ as a launch mode, 115 GB PC SSD requirement, Beta rewards carrying to launch.

Watch this month

Console preload dates for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2, the exact October 16 campaign unlock hour, and the launch-day patch are all still unannounced - the biggest search spikes before October 23.

Track as pending

Console install sizes, day-one patch notes, regional availability and launch-window content details.

Do not publish as fact

Guessed preload times for consoles, leak-only dates, regional store pricing guesses and unofficial casting.