Modern Warfare 4 Early Access Beta Preload Kicks Off Ahead of August Launch

Activision is ramping up preparations for the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, announcing key dates for the game's upcoming multiplayer beta and preloads. The early access beta preload is scheduled to start on August 20 across all platforms. Players who have pre-ordered the title or obtained an early access code can download the game files ahead of the official beta rollout, which kicks off on August 21.

Alongside the beta schedule, Activision recently dropped a new multiplayer trailer showcasing various gameplay elements, modes, and features. The footage highlights twelve all-new 6v6 maps, Ground War, and the introduction of Kill Block, a dynamic multiplayer battleground designed to reconfigure its layout between rounds across more than 500 distinct configurations. Additionally, the beta period offers participants a chance to test a campaign mission titled “Entrenched” as well as the new Warzone map, “Zodiac,” while earning rank-based rewards ranging from level 4 emblems up to a level 30 weapon blueprint.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is officially scheduled to launch on October 23, 2026, for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The release marks a return to Nintendo hardware for the franchise for the first time since 2013's Call of Duty: Ghosts. Pre-ordering the game grants early access to the campaign one week prior to the full release, alongside early access to the multiplayer beta starting August 21. Following the early access period, an open beta will be available to all players free of charge from August 28 through September 1.