007 First Light goes live globally on May 27, 2026, and IO Interactive has opened preloads early so the game is ready to launch the moment servers flip. Preloads began on May 24, 2026, at 10 AM EDT across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, giving anyone who pre-ordered a digital copy roughly 48 hours of lead time before the standard release window.
Quick answer: Pre-order a digital copy on your platform's store, then open the game in your library after 10 AM EDT on May 24, 2026, and select the preload/pre-download option.
Release time: May 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT (3:00 PM BST)
Preload requirements
A digital pre-order is the only path to preloading. Physical disc copies cannot preload and are not eligible for the 24-hour early access window that begins May 26.
Any digital edition counts. Pre-ordering the standard edition at $69.99 upgrades you to the Digital Deluxe Edition content at no extra cost, including the early access window, four Bond outfits, the Agent's Mark weapon skin, and the Gleaming gadget pack.
Preload start times by region
The preload unlocked globally at the same moment on May 24, 2026. Use your local time below to know when the download becomes available on your account.
| Region | Preload start |
|---|---|
| US Pacific (PDT) | May 24, 7:00 AM |
| US Eastern (EDT) | May 24, 10:00 AM |
| Brazil (BRT) | May 24, 11:00 AM |
| UK (BST) | May 24, 3:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | May 24, 4:00 PM |
| Turkey (TRT) | May 24, 5:00 PM |
| UAE (GST) | May 24, 6:00 PM |
| India (IST) | May 24, 7:30 PM |
| China (CST) | May 24, 10:00 PM |
| Japan / South Korea | May 24, 11:00 PM |
| Australia (AEST) | May 25, 12:00 AM |
| New Zealand (NZST) | May 25, 2:00 AM |
Download size by platform
File sizes differ across the three platforms, and PC carries the heaviest footprint. Keep an extra 20 to 30 GB free on any platform to cover the day-one patch.
| Platform | Download size |
|---|---|
| PC (Steam / Epic Games Store) | 80 GB (SSD required) |
| PlayStation 5 | 45.6 GB (build 01.005.000 listed at 50.8 GB) |
| Xbox Series X|S | 55 GB |
Preload on PC (Steam or Epic Games Store)
Step 1: Pre-purchase 007 First Light through the Steam store page or the Epic Games Store listing. The transaction must complete on the same account you plan to play on.
Step 2: Open your client's library after 10 AM EDT on May 24, 2026, and locate the 007 First Light entry. The store and your launcher will only expose the download button once preload goes live in your region.
Step 3: Click the pre-download or install button and choose your install drive. PC requires roughly 80 GB on an SSD, so confirm the destination drive has enough free space before the download begins.
Step 4: Wait for the client to mark the install as ready to play. The game will stay locked behind a countdown until launch, but the data will be on disk and verified.
Preload on PS5
Step 1: Buy a digital edition through the PlayStation Store using the PSN account that will play the game. A disc pre-order will not trigger a preload.
Step 2: After the preload window opens, go to your Game Library and find 007 First Light under Purchased. Select Download to queue the install to your console's internal SSD or supported expansion drive.
Step 3: Let the download finish and confirm the tile shows the countdown timer instead of an install prompt. That confirms the data has been written and is waiting for the global release unlock.
Preload on Xbox Series X|S
Step 1: Pre-order a digital edition from the Microsoft Store on your console or at xbox.com. Make sure the pre-order is tied to the gamertag that will launch the game.
Step 2: Open My games and apps and look under Full library or Ready to install once preload is available. Select 007 First Light and start the download to your internal drive or an Xbox Series storage expansion.
Step 3: When the installation completes, the tile will display a launch timer. The game stays locked until the global release time on May 27.
When the game unlocks
The standard release goes live on May 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT, with a synchronized global rollout. Digital pre-orders get 24-hour early access starting May 26 at the same times, so the same preloaded files will launch a day earlier for those buyers. New Zealand and Australia receive the unlock on May 27 local time because IO Interactive opted for a single global moment rather than staggered regional drops, which also means the "New Zealand trick" does not apply here.
If the download stalls or the tile never switches to a preloaded state, sign out and back into your store account, verify the pre-order receipt, and confirm your console or PC time zone matches your region. A day-one patch is expected on launch day, so leaving extra free space avoids a last-minute installation failure.