G93SC Upgrade
ReviewsFeaturesGuidesLists
G93SC Upgrade
ReviewsFeaturesGuidesLists

Modern Warfare 4 Beta Start Times and How to Preload

Time to get ready for the beta!

modern-warfare-4-beta-start-times-preload
modern-warfare-4-beta-start-times-preload
henry
By Henry MedranoEsports Editor

  • Primary Subject: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
  • Key Update: The Modern Warfare 4 beta kicks off soon, and we have the exact start times, as well as how you can preload to get everything ready.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: August 19, 2026
  • Quick Answer: The first weekend of the Modern Warfare 4 beta starts on Friday, August 21, at 11:00 AM PT, right after COD Next. Players can preload a day earlier,

The Modern Warfare 4 beta will give players the chance to try Infinity Ward's next Call of Duty, continuing the rebooted story they left with Modern Warfare 2 (2022) and that resumed with Sledgehammer's Modern Warfare 3 (2023).

If you have secured your code and plan to start playing as soon as the servers go live, here are all the details about the start time and how to preload.

Modern Warfare 4 Beta Start Times

The Modern Warfare 4 beta will run across two weekends. The first weekend will be available for players with an early access code and will run from August 21 to 25. In terms of start time, the beta is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM PT, right after the COD Next livestream ends.

Here is the respective start time in each time zone:

  • August 21
    • 11:00 AM PT
    • 1:00 PM CT
    • 2:00 PM ET
    • 7:00 PM BST
    • 8:00 PM CEST
  • August 22
    • 4:00 AM AEST

The servers will shut down for the first weekend on Tuesday, August 25, at 10:00 AM PT. The second weekend is scheduled to start on Friday, August 28, at 10:00 AM PT and will end on Tuesday, September 1, at the same time. The first weekend is simply starting one hour later to allow for the COD Next presentation to take place.

How to Preload the Modern Warfare 4 Beta

The preload for the early access weekend will begin on Thursday, August 20, at 9:00 AM PT for all platforms. The preload for the second weekend is scheduled to start on Thursday, August 26, at 9:00 AM PT.

modern-warfare-4-south-korean-soldier
expand image
Credit: Activision

If you download the beta for the first weekend, you won't have to download it again for the open beta, as the same files will work for the second weekend.

Here is how to download the beta on the different platforms:

Xbox Series X|S or PC (Xbox app)

  • Turn on your XBOX Series X|S console or open the XBOX on PC app.
  • Open the Store.
  • Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
  • Select the Beta.
  • Choose Install.

If you are preloading on PC through the Xbox app, only a small portion of the beta will preload. The rest of the download will be available once the beta goes live.

PlayStation 5

  • Turn on your PlayStation®5.
  • Open the PlayStation Store.
  • Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
  • Select the Beta.
  • Choose Download.

PC (Steam)

  • Launch Steam.
  • Open the Store.
  • Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
  • Open the Store page.
  • Steam automatically adds the Beta to your Library and begins downloading.

PC (Battle.net)

  • Open Battle.net.
  • Navigate to the Call of Duty page from your Favorites bar or otherwise
  • Select Call of Duty: MW4 Beta in the Game Version dropdown
  • Click Install.

Nintendo Switch 2 (Only for second weekend)

  • Turn on your Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Open Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
  • Select the Beta.
  • Choose Download.

READ MORE: 5 Things I Want to See in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

For more Call of Duty content, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for all things gaming.