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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta dates: How to sign up for both MW4 beta weekends
You can't regularly queue up for combat until October, but a series of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 betas are a chance to try one upcoming campaign mission and several multiplayer maps before launch. Trying to decipher what happens when and how to register is super convoluted, so here's an info drop on the MW4 beta dates and what you'll need to get started.
Call of Duty MW4 beta dates
You've got two options for jumping into the MW4 beta: If you pre-order the game you can participate in the first round (early access beta), or you can wait and play for free in the second (open beta).
MW4 early access beta date and times
The MW4 early access beta begins on Friday, August 21 at 11 am PDT, and ends on the following Tuesday, August 25 at 10 am PDT. Here are the times across regions on August 21:
- 11 am PDT (Los Angeles)
- 2 pm EDT (New York)
- 7 pm BST (London)
- 8 pm CEST (Berlin)
- 4 am August 22 AEST (Sydney)
- 6 am August 22 NZST (Auckland)
- Or use this global timezone resource to compare this with more regions.
MW4 open beta date and times
The MW4 open beta begins on Friday, August 28 at 10 am PDT, and ends on the following Tuesday, September 1 at 10 am PDT. Here are the times across regions on August 28:
- 10 am PDT (Los Angeles)
- 1 pm EDT (New York)
- 6 pm BST (London)
- 7 pm CEST (Berlin)
- 3 am August 29 AEST (Sydney)
- 5 am August 29 NZST (Auckland)
- Compare this with more regions using this handy time and date tool.
Call of Duty MW4 beta codes and registration
Some players need a MW4 beta code to participate in the early access weekend starting on August 21, but it all depends on how you've pre-ordered. The second period on August 28 doesn't require a purchase; it's open to anyone on Steam, Battle.net, or consoles.
The MW4 open beta weekend on August 28 does not require a pre-order or beta code to participate. Anyone can download the open beta build on any platform.
What you need to know about the early access beta codes
- You can redeem MW4 beta codes through the official COD site
- Only players who pre-order physical editions or digital copies (through other retailers) of MW4 will need to redeem a beta code
- Anyone who pre-orders through the in-game store or a platform store (like Steam, PSN, etc) receives automatic access and does not need a beta code
How do I get a MW4 beta code for the early access dates?
Pre-orders are the only way to guarantee you get into the early access beta, but I've spotted MW4 beta code giveaways around places like Reddit and most social platforms. The Call of Duty: Next Showcase also notes it's hosting code giveaways—that starts at 9 am PDT on August 21, and you can watch it on YouTube.
MW4 beta modes, maps, and more
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(Image credit: Infinity Ward)
The maps and modes available in both beta weekends
Most maps and modes are available in both MW4 betas, but features like Combat Outpost aren't available until the second weekend. A couple of maps are also limited to just one weekend, so I've put together those key differences in a table for reference
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Modes |
Early Access Beta |
Open Beta |
|---|---|---|
Campaign mission: Entrenched |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Ground War: Combat Outpost |
❌ |
✔️ |
Domination |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Hardpoint |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Hijack |
❌ |
✔️ |
Inflation |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Kill Block - 10v10 and 3v3 |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Kill Confirmed |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Mobility Course |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Search & Destroy |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Team Deathmatch |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Maps |
Early Access Beta |
Open Beta |
|---|---|---|
Cachette |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Kill Block |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Lithium |
❌ |
✔️ |
Lotus |
✔️ |
❌ |
Rooftops |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Silkworm |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Transit 213 |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Imjin Farmland (Ground War) |
❌ |
✔️ |
Wolves Stadium (Ground War) |
❌ |
✔️ |
Resurgence Zodiac (Warzone) |
❌ |
✔️ |
MW4 beta rewards
Early access beta rewards
- Level 4: Through the Paces Legendary Emblem
- Level 8: First Served Weapon Charm
- Level 12: Meonjeo Legendary Weapon Sticker
- Level 16: Last Charge Legendary Calling Card
- Level 20: Dread Tiger Operator Skin – Reece
Open beta rewards
- All early access beta rewards from Levels 4-20
- Level 23: Field Tested Epic Spray
- Level 26: Beta Rights Epic Loading Screen
- Level 30: Beta Forged ISO Nightshade Weapon Blueprint
Additional beta rewards
- General rewards: 3 emblems, 3 calling cards, 1 spray, and 3 loading screens
- Challenge reward: 1 (unknown) charm
- Combat record reward: 1 (unknown) weapon blueprint, emblem, and charm
- An additional (unknown) challenge reward
Twitch Drops
- COD Next: Gas Ready Emblem, Rapple Repel Calling Card, and Ghost Helmet Charm
- MW4 beta: Get Tactical Emblem, Clearing House Calling Card, and Action Ready Charm
MW4 beta pre-loading
Is there preloading for the MW4 beta?
Yes, you can pre-load the MW4 early access beta now on Steam and Battle.net right now—so can your friends on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Pre-loading for the MW4 open beta (August 28) will begin on Wednesday, August 26 at 9 am PDT. If you participated in the first test, you won't need to download the game again, but you may have a few updates.
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Andrea has been covering games for nearly a decade, picking up bylines at IGN, USA Today, Fanbyte, and Destructoid before joining the PC Gamer team in 2025. She's got a soft spot for older RPGs and is willing to try just about anything with a lovey-dovey "I can fix them" romance element. Her weekly to-do always includes a bit of MMO time, endlessly achievement hunting and raiding in Final Fantasy 14. Outside of those staples, she's often got a few survival-crafting games on rotation and loves a good scare in co-op horror games.