Before Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23, 2026, everyone gets a chance to play a slice of its multiplayer. The beta runs across two August weekends, and the second one marks the return of Call of Duty to a Nintendo console for the first time in years, arriving on Nintendo Switch 2.
Quick answer: Pre-order digitally on PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S to play Early Access from August 21 to 25. Everyone else, including Switch 2 players, can play the Open Beta from August 28 to September 1 with no pre-order required.
Modern Warfare 4 beta dates and platforms
The beta is split into two stages. The first weekend is Early Access and needs a pre-order. The second weekend is the Open Beta and is free for anyone to try. Exact start and end times for each day have not been confirmed yet.
| Weekend | Dates | Platforms | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend One (Early Access) | August 21–25 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Digital pre-order |
| Weekend Two (Open Beta) | August 28–September 1 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 | None |
Note: Switch 2 is not part of Early Access. That console only comes online for the Open Beta on August 28.
How to get into Early Access (August 21–25)
You know it worked when the beta becomes downloadable at the start of Weekend One. Digital pre-order holders can download it immediately without entering any code.
Playing the Open Beta on Nintendo Switch 2
This is the big one for Nintendo owners. The Open Beta lands on Switch 2 on August 28 and runs through September 1. No pre-order is needed. All you require is a Nintendo Account and an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, then you download the beta and play.
Pre-orders for the Switch 2 version open separately on August 26. Buying early is not tied to beta access in any way, so you can skip it and still play the weekend. More details about the Switch 2 release are set to arrive later this summer.
The return matters because it is the first Call of Duty game on a Nintendo platform in a long stretch, tied to Microsoft’s commitment to bring the series to Nintendo systems. It ships day and date with the other consoles on October 23, 2026.
What the beta includes
Both weekends focus on multiplayer. You get a rotation of maps and modes, a set of new Operators, and up to 19 weapons to unlock as you level up. Match sizes range from small 3v3 skirmishes to large tactical battles that field tanks and more.
- Search & Destroy, the returning objective staple
- Kill Block, a brand-new mode debuting in the beta
- The Training Mobility Course for practicing movement
- Loadout building with optional help from Gunny, plus Tacticals, Lethals, Field Upgrades, Perks, and Killstreaks
Vault Edition Operators in the beta
If you pre-order the Vault Edition, you can play the multiplayer beta as extra Operators from two packs, and test signature weapons early.
| Pack | Operators |
|---|---|
| Hostile Alliance | Price, Valeria, Ghost, Blix (Price and Valeria can be masked or unmasked via emotes) |
| Special Forces | COM SFT (France), KSK Amphibious (Germany), SK Special Forces (South Korea), SAS (United Kingdom), each with a local-language Voice Pack |
Vault Edition holders can also try the base weapon and Blueprint from the five-item Signature Weapon Collection, including the Kastov 762 with its “Voltspine” Blueprint and the ISO Nightshade SMG with “La Sombra Venenosa,” each with an Apex Attachment.
Call of Duty NEXT and the road to launch
The beta kicks off right after Call of Duty NEXT on August 21. That showcase covers live gameplay, a deeper briefing on the multiplayer content lineup, developer insights, and fresh reveals, including the maps you will be dropping into.
Beyond the beta, pre-order buyers get advanced access to the campaign on October 16, ahead of the full October 23 release. For now, lock in your pre-order platform if you want the first weekend, or simply mark August 28 on the calendar and play the Open Beta free on the console of your choice.
