The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta is doing something the series has never done before, letting players sample the single-player campaign, standard multiplayer, and Warzone in the same test. It runs across two weekends ahead of the game’s October 23 launch, and the first weekend is locked behind a pre-order.
Quick answer: Pre-order Modern Warfare 4 to play the early access beta from August 21 to August 25 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The open beta runs August 28 to September 1 for everyone, including Switch 2. Both include the campaign mission “Entrenched.”
Beta dates and who can play
The beta is split into two windows. The early access weekend is restricted to players who have pre-ordered the full game, while the second weekend opens to all players regardless of pre-order status. Switch 2 owners can only join the second weekend, and Switch 2 pre-orders go live August 26.
| Weekend | Dates | Access | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early access | Aug 21 – Aug 25 | Pre-order required | PC (Steam, Battle.net), PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Open beta | Aug 28 – Sep 1 | Open to all | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 |
The early access weekend begins right after the Call of Duty: NEXT broadcast on August 21, rather than a day later as in past years.
The campaign mission “Entrenched”
For the first time in a mainline Call of Duty, a piece of the story campaign is playable inside a beta. The mission is called “Entrenched,” and it appears in both the early access and open weekends.
Modern Warfare 4’s campaign centers on a conflict on the Korean Peninsula, following young South Korean soldier Private Park as North Korea launches a full-scale invasion, while Captain Price runs an off-book mission from the shadows. The wider campaign spans trench warfare in Korea, close-quarters fighting in New York, a car chase through Paris, and SAS night raids in Mumbai.
Multiplayer modes and maps
The multiplayer side of the beta features up to 19 weapons and matches that scale from small 3v3 skirmishes to large battles with vehicles. Infinity Ward is highlighting Kill Block, a new mode and map it describes as one of the most experimental in the franchise, and a Training Mobility Course built to teach the game’s new movement mechanics.
The early access weekend covers these modes and maps, with the playlist changing between the two weekends.
| Category | Included in early access |
|---|---|
| Modes | Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hard Point, Kill Confirmed, Inflation, Search & Destroy, Kill Block, Mobility Course |
| Maps | Rooftops, Silkworm, Transit213, Cachette, Lotus, Kill Block |
The open weekend carries over everything from the first weekend and adds the Hijack and Combat Outpost maps to the multiplayer rotation.
Warzone and Ground War in the open weekend
The second weekend marks the first public Warzone test tied to Modern Warfare 4. It introduces Zodiac, a new Resurgence map, alongside a new Ground War mode. Both are exclusive to the open beta, so the Warzone content is not available during the pre-order-only weekend.
How to get into the early access beta
Note: Beta codes are also available through a Discord Nitro promotion, and Modern Warfare 4-themed Monster Energy cans include codes for free 2XP tokens.
You will know your access is active once the beta client appears in your platform’s store or launcher and lets you download it on the relevant dates. If you pre-ordered but do not see the early access weekend, confirm the pre-order is for a digital edition on the same account and platform you plan to play on, since campaign and Warzone availability differ between the two weekends.
