At a Glance
- Open Beta dates: Friday, August 28 at 10:00 AM PT through Tuesday, September 1 at 10:00 AM PT
- Price: Free for everyone; no pre-order or beta code required
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo Switch 2
- Level cap: Player Level 30
- Full launch: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches October 23, 2026
- Campaign Early Access: October 16 for digital pre-orders
The Modern Warfare 4 open beta begins Friday, August 28, giving every player a chance to test the next Call of Duty multiplayer experience before launch. The MW4 open beta includes six Core 6v6 maps, seven Core modes, Ground War, Gunfight, a first-ever beta campaign mission, and Warzone Resurgence. This guide covers the MW4 beta dates, maps, modes, matchmaking, rewards, and practical ways to prepare.
MW4 Beta Schedule and How to Play
The Open Beta, also called Weekend Two, runs from August 28 at 10:00 AM PT to September 1 at 10:00 AM PT. It is free for everyone. You do not need to pre-order Modern Warfare 4, and you do not need a beta code.
Preloading has been available on all supported platforms since August 26 at 9:00 AM PT. Install the beta before launch if you want to start playing at 10:00 AM PT on Friday.
Weekend One ran from August 21–25 as an Early Access Beta for pre-order players. Progression from that period carries into Weekend Two, so returning players can continue from their existing level.
The MW4 platforms are Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PS5, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo Switch 2. This is the first Call of Duty beta on Nintendo Switch 2. On Xbox and PC, use the relevant Xbox experience or launcher. PC players can also access the beta through Steam or Battle.net. PlayStation 5 players should use the beta listing on the PlayStation Store, while Nintendo Switch 2 players should check the Nintendo eShop.
MW4 Maps: All Six Core 6v6 Locations
The MW4 maps lineup includes six Core 6v6 arenas, with different sightlines, movement routes, and engagement ranges.
- Rooftops: A snow-covered New York City hotel in Times West. Expect vertical routes and close-to-mid-range fights around the rooftop setting.
- Silkworm: A South Korean shopping district built around dense urban spaces and connected lanes.
- Transit 213: An overgrown Indian bus depot with a mix of vehicles, vegetation, and tight combat areas.
- Cachette: A French rail-terminal hideout that combines enclosed routes with rail infrastructure.
- Lotus: A Korean fishing village offering a more open coastal setting with village pathways.
- Lithium: A rural Mexico lithium facility featuring industrial structures and outdoor approaches.
These locations give the beta a broad mix of urban, rural, industrial, and coastal combat spaces.
MW4 Modes: Core 6v6, Gunfight, and Ground War
The seven Core 6v6 MW4 modes are Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, Search and Destroy, Inflation, and Hijack.
The familiar modes work as expected: Team Deathmatch rewards eliminations, Domination and Hardpoint focus on objective control, Kill Confirmed adds tags to the scoring loop, and Search and Destroy uses round-based attack-and-defense rules.
Inflation is a new mode where eliminations build your bounty. The more valuable you become, the more important you are as a target, creating a risk-and-reward loop throughout each match.
Hijack is another new mode. Attackers plant a Data Spike at the enemy Comm Station, while defenders must stop the plant or defuse the device after it is placed.
Kill Block and Gunfight
Kill Block is a new dynamic Gunfight arena. Every two rounds, the map reconfigures into a new Combo made from three interconnected Slabs. The changing layout means routes, cover, and angles can shift during a match.
The beta includes Gunfight 3v3 and a new 10v10 variant. Both use randomized shared loadouts, so players must adapt to the equipment provided rather than relying on a preferred custom class. Matches also include an Overtime Flag for decisive late-round engagements.
Ground War
Ground War supports 24v24 combat on two Combat Outpost maps in the Haijin region:
- Rural outskirts: Open farmland, a mill, and rail lines create long sightlines with multiple vehicle and infantry approaches.
- Urban Wolves Stadium: A multi-story stadium area includes transit lines and tunnels for layered close-quarters and mid-range combat.
MW4 Matchmaking Explained: SBMM and Open Matchmaking
MW4 matchmaking uses the same system introduced in Black Ops 7 Season 5. Activision confirmed the system on August 20 through its official X account. The beta includes two playlist types: standard matchmaking and new Open Matchmaking playlists.
Standard matchmaking considers player skill alongside other matchmaking factors. In plain terms, the system uses skill as part of how it forms matches, while also accounting for the wider requirements of online play.
Open Matchmaking places far less emphasis on skill and prioritizes connection and ping. That means players who choose these playlists should expect matchmaking to focus more heavily on finding a responsive connection than on closely balancing player skill.
This is the central MW4 SBMM discussion: standard matchmaking includes skill consideration, while MW4 Open Matchmaking reduces that emphasis in favor of connection quality. The beta is a useful opportunity to try both playlist types and compare how each feels for your setup. Player experiences can vary by region, time of day, party size, and available matchmaking population.
Weapons, Gunsmith, Perks, Killstreaks, and Progression
The beta includes 19 multiplayer weapons across nine classes, plus three additional weapons used in Campaign or Default Loadouts for 22 total weapons. The Gunsmith returns, allowing players to customize weapon builds.
A new attachment category called Apex Attachments gives fully leveled weapons unique effects without using an attachment slot. The Gunny build recommender can help suggest weapon setups, and the beta includes a Firing Range for testing guns before taking them into a match.
Equipment includes nine Tacticals, 11 Lethals, and 11 Field Upgrades. There are 17 Killstreaks, with up to three available per loadout. The perk system uses a Pick 3 structure and includes 18 Perks.
Progression runs from Player Level 1 through Level 30. Create a Class unlocks at Level 4, and players can build up to 12 custom loadouts. Operators are assigned per loadout, and 21 Operators are available in the beta.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Rewards
There are eight core Modern Warfare 4 beta rewards. They unlock at specific levels and carry into the full game:
- 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 for Reece
- Level 23 — “Field Tested” Epic Spray
- Level 26 — “Beta Rights” Epic Loading Screen
- Level 30 — “Beta Forged” Weapon Blueprint for the Han 86 AR
Twitch Drops add three more items: the “Get Tactical” Emblem after 15 minutes, the “Clearing House” Calling Card after 30 minutes, and the “Action Ready” Charm after 45 minutes of eligible viewing.
Campaign “Entrenched,” Mobility Course, and Warzone Resurgence
For the first time in Call of Duty, a beta includes a Campaign mission. “Entrenched” asks players to defend a nuclear power station using infantry and armored vehicles. It gives players an early look at the single-player campaign before the main release.
Digital pre-orders receive Campaign Early Access on October 16, 2026. The full game launches on October 23, 2026, which is the Modern Warfare 4 release date.
The beta also includes a Mobility Course with guided tutorials for MW4’s expanded movement system and timed courses. Completing its challenge can unlock the “Clockwork Charm.”
Warzone Resurgence is included in the beta as a new addition. Players interested in the broader Call of Duty ecosystem can use the beta to experience its Resurgence offering alongside multiplayer and Ground War.
MW4 Beta Tips
- Preload before Friday: The download has been live since August 26, so install it early and avoid launch-time delays.
- Try both matchmaking playlist types: Compare standard matchmaking with Open Matchmaking to see which approach fits your preferred balance of skill consideration and connection priority.
- Use the Firing Range: Test recoil, Apex Attachments, and Gunny recommendations before committing to a weapon in live matches.
- Build more than one loadout: Create a close-range, mid-range, and objective-focused setup so you can adapt to different maps and modes.
- Play for progression: Reaching Level 30 unlocks the Beta Forged blueprint, while earlier levels provide rewards that carry into the full game.
FAQ
When does the MW4 open beta start?
The MW4 open beta starts Friday, August 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT.
How long does the Modern Warfare 4 open beta last?
It runs from August 28 at 10:00 AM PT through September 1 at 10:00 AM PT.
Is the MW4 beta free?
Yes. The Open Beta is free for everyone, with no pre-order or beta code required.
What platforms support the MW4 beta?
The beta supports Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PS5, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo Switch 2.
What is the MW4 level cap?
The beta level cap is Player Level 30. Create a Class unlocks at Level 4.
Does MW4 have Open Matchmaking?
Yes. MW4 Open Matchmaking playlists place far less emphasis on skill and prioritize connection and ping.
What is the difference between MW4 SBMM and Open Matchmaking?
Standard matchmaking considers skill, while Open Matchmaking reduces the emphasis on skill and prioritizes connection quality.
When does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launch?
The full game launches October 23, 2026. Digital pre-orders get Campaign Early Access on October 16.
For players who want to focus on connection quality while testing the beta, Lobby Max offers smarter routing designed to help optimize matchmaking location and may improve latency depending on server conditions.