Modern Warfare 4 beta dates are locked in, and Activision has split them into two weekends. The Early Access Beta runs from August 21 to August 25 for anyone who preorders. Then the Open Beta follows from August 28 to September 1, and that one is free for everybody. No preorder, no code, just download and play.
The bigger surprise sits in the platform list. Nintendo Switch 2 players get to join the open weekend, so the new console takes part in a Call of Duty beta right alongside PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
How the Modern Warfare 4 beta dates break down
The first weekend, August 21 to 25, covers PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC only. Switch 2 sits that one out. Nintendo players instead get their preorders opening on August 26, two days before their beta access begins, and Activision has promised more Switch 2 version details around that date.
Once the open weekend starts on August 28, every platform plays together. The full details sit on the official Modern Warfare 4 beta page.
What you can actually play in the beta
Infinity Ward is packing 19 weapons into the test. Modes stretch from tight 3v3 skirmishes up to large-scale battles with vehicles, so both ends of the Call of Duty playerbase get served. Search and Destroy returns, and a new close-quarters mode called Kill Block makes its first appearance. A Training Mobility Course rounds out the list for players who want to learn the movement before going live.
One thing is missing on purpose. The extraction mode stays out of the beta, so that piece of the game waits for launch.
The full game arrives on October 23, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2 at the same time. Older consoles are out this year, which makes this a current-gen-only release. The series is clearly in an aggressive stretch right now, because Black Ops 7 just rolled out its own Season 5 while its successor lines up at the door.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to preorder Modern Warfare 4 to play the beta? Only for the first weekend. The August 21 to 25 Early Access Beta requires a preorder, while the August 28 to September 1 Open Beta is free on all four platforms, including Switch 2.
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