Modern Warfare 4 Beta: Everything Included in Early Access and the Open Weekend

The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta is split into two weekends. Pre-order players and users with an eligible beta code get Early Access from August 21 at 11:00 a.m. PT through August 25 at 10:00 a.m. PT, immediately following the 9:00 a.m. PT Call of Duty: NEXT showcase. Everyone can join the Open Beta from August 28 at 10:00 a.m. PT through September 1 at 10:00 a.m. PT.

The test is notable because it brings more than standard multiplayer into the beta: players can try a campaign mission, traditional 6v6 multiplayer and, during the second weekend, Warzone-related content. It also gives Activision a public test for its disputed matchmaking changes.

Modern Warfare 4 beta schedule and access

Weekend One: Early Access

August 21 at 11:00 a.m. PT–August 25 at 10:00 a.m. PT

Early Access is available to players who pre-ordered Modern Warfare 4 or redeemed an eligible beta code on:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• PC through Steam
• PC through Battle.net
• Xbox on PC

Preloading is available on the supported Weekend One platforms. Players joining both weekends only need to install the beta once; updates and progression carry over into Weekend Two.

Weekend Two: Open Beta

August 28 at 10:00 a.m. PT–September 1 at 10:00 a.m. PT

Weekend Two is open to all players, regardless of pre-order status. Nintendo Switch 2 players join during this weekend, making it the first opportunity to play the beta on Nintendo’s new platform.

Activision has also listed additional Weekend Two content, including Ground War maps and a new Warzone Resurgence map. The beta is available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 during the relevant access windows.

What is included in Weekend One?

The “Entrenched” campaign mission

For the first time in a Call of Duty beta, players can try a standalone single-player campaign mission. The mission is called “Entrenched” and is included alongside the multiplayer test.

That makes the beta more representative of the full game than a multiplayer-only trial. Players can sample the campaign’s presentation and combat before the scheduled October release, although one mission cannot establish how the complete story will play.

Five core 6v6 maps

Weekend One includes five standard 6v6 maps:

• Rooftops
• Silkworm
• Transit 213
• Cachette
• Lotus

The lineup is reported by Activision and multiple beta rundowns, although the exact mode availability can vary by playlist and weekend.

Multiplayer modes

The reported Weekend One mode lineup includes:

• Team Deathmatch
• Domination
• Hardpoint
• Kill Confirmed
• Search & Destroy
• Inflation
• Kill Block variants
• Mobility Course

Kill Block is presented separately from the core 6v6 map pool and can appear in different player-count formats, including 3v3 and 10v10 variants.

The available reporting is not completely consistent about whether every listed activity is counted as one of the beta’s “eight modes” or whether Kill Block variants are grouped together. The safest reading is that Weekend One offers the six named traditional modes plus additional Kill Block and movement-focused activities.

Kill Block is the beta’s most experimental multiplayer feature

Kill Block is a modular multiplayer battleground designed to change the routes, sightlines and combat spaces players use from match to match. Activision says the system can create more than 500 configurations.

That makes Kill Block different from a conventional fixed map. Instead of learning one permanent layout, players must adapt to changing combinations of lanes and engagement areas. Its 3v3 and 10v10 formats also test how the same modular concept works with different team sizes.

How many weapons are in Weekend One?

The weapon count needs a caveat. The original requested figure of 14 Weekend One weapons is not confirmed consistently by the available material. One published content rundown instead lists 19 multiplayer weapons for Weekend One, with additional unlocks arriving in Weekend Two.

Because the sources may be counting different weapon categories, unlock states or parts of the full beta pool, it would be misleading to present either number as definitive. Players should expect a sizeable selection of weapons, but the final Weekend One total remains unclear from the supplied listings.

PC shader preloading and fewer restart interruptions

Activision is changing how the beta handles two recurring technical frustrations: shader compilation and update-related restarts.

On PC, shader preloading can begin after the beta is installed or updated, with a Windows system-tray notification showing that the process has started. Battle.net supports shader preloading from the initial installation, while Steam still requires a one-time shader compilation on the first boot.

The beta also reduces the number of situations that trigger an “Update Requires Restart” prompt. PC and PS5 players should see fewer interruptions in most cases, but a restart can still be required if a new data patch arrives while the game is already running. Xbox Series X|S players continue to face restart requirements during the beta, and Nintendo Switch 2 also retains them during the beta and at launch. Activision says further improvements are planned for release.

Modern Warfare 4 beta matchmaking: Classic versus Open playlists

The beta will test two matchmaking approaches.

Classic matchmaking

Activision describes the new Classic system as being inspired by matchmaking in earlier Call of Duty games. Its stated goals include better team balancing, greater match variety, fuller lobbies and a stronger overall experience. Connection quality remains an important factor, and matchmaking also considers variables such as location, time of day, playlist, party composition, platform, cross-play settings and player population.

Activision has defended the system using player data from testing. Reports say the developer observed stronger engagement and retention with the newer approach, including lower quit rates across skill groups in related testing.

Open playlists

The beta will also offer Open playlists with minimal skill consideration, providing an alternative to the more structured Classic system. The goal is to let Activision compare player behavior and feedback under both matchmaking philosophies.

The compromise has not ended the debate. Critics argue that the continued use of skill-related factors in the default system does not deliver the less restrictive matchmaking many players want, while Activision says matchmaking has never been controlled by a single on/off switch and that connection remains a priority. The beta should provide more evidence, but it will not necessarily settle the wider skill-based matchmaking argument.

When does Modern Warfare 4 release?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to launch on October 23, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.

The beta therefore serves two purposes: it gives players an early look at a broader slice of the game than usual, and it gives Infinity Ward and Activision feedback on campaign presentation, multiplayer balance, technical updates and matchmaking before launch.