- Primary Subject: Marathon (Server Slam / Technical Stress Test)
- Key Update: Bungie is hosting a four-day open preview weekend starting today to stress-test servers on Tau Ceti IV before the March 5 global launch.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 26, 2026
- Quick Answer: The Marathon Server Slam runs from February 26 to March 2 on PS5, Xbox, and PC, offering exclusive rewards like the Deluxe Arrival Cache for participants.
It's been a long time coming, but Marathon is nearly here, and players will have the chance to experience Tau Ceti IV in the Server Slam test from today, February 26.
Running for four days, the Server Slam acts as an open preview weekend, allowing everyone to jump in, play Marathon before launch, and help developers put the finishing touches to the game ahead of its global release.
Below you will find a complete overview of the Marathon Server Slam, including start times, what's included, and earnable rewards.
What Is the Marathon Server Slam?
Ultimately, the Server Slam is a technical stress test for the developers, representing just a slice of Marathon’s launch content and progression.
Bungie will turn everything on worldwide, welcoming as many players as they can, before closely monitoring all systems as the open preview weekend gets underway.
The Server Slam test does not represent the final product, and its main purpose is to identify any issues that could occur upon official launch. Because of this, players can expect to run into a few technical mishaps and delays, including:
- Login queues, especially during peak hours
- Servers may go down for maintenance on short notice
- Disconnects, error codes, and bugs may occur
Bungie will be on standby throughout the weekend to address issues, monitor performance, and make adjustments as needed, stating, "When something breaks, that is data we can use to make our launch on March 5 all the better."
What Time Does the Marathon Server Slam Start?
The free Marathon Server Slam test kicks off on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam from February 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. PT to March 2 at 10 a.m. PT.
This works out as the following times in each region:
- US Pacific: 10 am PST, February 26 - 10 am PST, March 2
- US Eastern: 1 pm EST, February 26 - 1 pm EST, March 2
- UK: 6 pm GMT, February 26 - 6 pm GMT, March 2
- Central Europe: 7 pm CET, February 26 - 7 pm CET, March 2
- Australia: 5 am AEDT, February 27 - 5 am AEDT, March 3
- New Zealand: 7 am NZDT, February 27 - 7 am NZDT, March 3
Preloading is not available for the Server Slam. This is to help lessen the load on servers when it goes live. It will only become downloadable when the Server Slam begins.
What's Included in the Marathon Server Slam?
As mentioned above, the Marathon Server Slam test will act as a teaser, giving players a small taste of what Marathon feels and plays like within a more limited experience.
While there will be much more waiting for them on March 5, there's still a decent chunk of content players can explore across the open preview weekend.
Here's what to expect:
Infiltrate Into Two Zones on Tau Ceti IV
- Perimeter, an edge-site expansion on the colony’s outskirts
- Dire Marsh, the colony’s agricultural research hub
Take on Contracts for Five Factions
- Progress through early faction levels and upgrade trees for each of these five factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne
Unique Runner Shells Class System
- Try out five of the six Runner shells that will be available at launch, plus Rook, our scavenger experience
Play How You Like
- Drop in as a Crew
- Run solo
- Form an uneasy alliance in real time with proximity chat
- Alternatively, test your foes’ diplomacy by making those alliances fall apart using the aforementioned prox chat
Marathon Server Slam Rewards
As a thank you for taking part, Bungie is rewarding those who participate in the Server Slam test with several items to bring into Marathon at launch.
Here are all of the rewards and how you get them:
Complete the Introductory Mission
- Beta.exe emblem
- Complex Study player background
Complete Your First Mission: Unlock the Standard Arrival Cache
- Standard implants (6x)
- Standard Runner shell cores (4x)
- Standard weapon chip mods (6x)
- Weapons: Overrun and Hardline
Reach Runner Level 10: Unlock the Enhanced Arrival Cache (Green)
- Enhanced implants (6x)
- Enhanced Runner shell cores (2x for each shell, 12x total)
- Enhanced weapon chip mods (4x)
- Weapons: Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline
Reach Runner Level 30: Unlock the Deluxe Arrival Cache (Blue)
- Deluxe and Enhanced implants (3x each, 6x total)
- Deluxe and Enhanced Runner shell cores (1x each for each shell, 12x total)
- Deluxe and Enhanced weapon chip mods (2x each, 4x total)
- Weapons: Deluxe Magnum and Enhanced Volley Rifle
- Backpack: Enhanced Base Backpack
Cosmetic and loot rewards will be delivered once Marathon launches on March 5.
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