MW4 Release Date: Oct 23 Unlock Times, Platforms, Early Access and Preload

The MW4 release date is Friday, October 23, 2026. That is when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches in full, including Multiplayer, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. The Modern Warfare 4 release date has been locked in since the May reveal, and the campaign and DMZ both open earlier for digital pre-orders. Here is everything confirmed so far, with links to the official pages.

MW4 Release Date and Unlock Times

On PC, the full game unlocks at midnight local time on October 23, according to the official PC details post. That means the clock follows you: the same midnight rolls across each time zone. IGN's regional rundown lists the same 12 am unlock for cities around the world:

Activision adds that actual play time is subject to possible outages and time zone differences, and that start dates can change.

Platforms

Modern Warfare 4 is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Battle.net, Steam and Xbox on PC. It also launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on the same day, per the official Switch 2 post. It is not coming to Xbox One or PlayStation 4, as the official editions post states.

Campaign and DMZ Early Access

You do not have to wait for October 23 to play part of the game:

• Campaign Early Access began on October 16 for anyone who digitally pre-ordered.
• DMZ Early Access starts on October 20 for digital pre-orders.

Both are listed in the official launch post. IGN reports that physical pre-orders of the Standard Edition do not include early access. Multiplayer is not part of either early window and arrives with the full game on October 23.

Is Modern Warfare 4 on Game Pass?

No. The official post says Modern Warfare 4 launches as a standalone release, so you have to buy it separately to play at launch. It will not be included with Game Pass until Holiday 2027. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers keep access to Black Ops 7, Black Ops 6 and Modern Warfare III.

Preload and File Size

On PC, preloading began on October 15 at 9 am PT for players who digitally pre-purchased, per the official PC post. IGN reports that preload started rolling out on October 14 at 9 pm PT. For size, the official PC requirements list 115 GB of SSD space, and additional space may be needed for mandatory updates. PC players also need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot turned on. Console install sizes are not confirmed, and IGN notes they may vary with the content you choose to download.

Editions and Price

There are three editions, listed on the official editions page. Prices below come from IGN's roundup:

• Digital Standard Edition: $69.99. Includes Campaign Early Access and can be upgraded to the Vault Edition.
• Digital Vault Edition: $99.99. Adds the Hostile Alliance and Special Forces Operator Packs, the Signature Weapon Collection, one season of BlackCell and a DMZ Deployment Bonus.
• Physical Standard Edition (consoles only): $69.99. No early access and no upgrade path to the Vault Edition.

Players who own a qualifying earlier Call of Duty title can get 10 percent off the Vault Edition on a digital pre-order, through October 23.

Free shooters to play in your browser while you wait

Want to warm up before launch night? These run free in your browser with no download, and three of them are proper first-person shooters.

• UZG Remastered — a low-poly, wave-based zombie survival shooter in first person, with a global leaderboard.
• Station Saturn — a first-person shooter you play right in your browser.
• Trial of the Sorcerer — another browser FPS, with a fantasy twist.
• Aim Trainer — click targets fast and track your accuracy and reaction time.