The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 beta is set to kick off later this weekend for the lucky gamers who have early access, and Activision is opening up preloads for those who want to maximise every second they can have with the game ahead of its launch this October.
Modern Warfare 4 beta preload times
Preloading for the Modern Warfare 4 beta will begin at 5pm BST on August 20, 2026. This will become available on most platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Unfortunately, the early access beta won’t be available on Nintendo Switch 2 – but the open beta on August 28 will be available on the handheld console.
Here’s that preload time converted to a few other time zones:
Modern Warfare 4 beta start times
As for when you’ll be able to actually log into the Modern Warfare 4 early access beta, it’s set to unlock 24 hours later at 5pm BST on August 21, 2026.
Again, here’s that start time converted to a few other time zones around the world:
- LOS ANGELES – 9:00 AM PDT, Aug 21
- DENVER – 10:00 AM MDT, Aug 21
- CHICAGO – 11:00 AM CDT, Aug 21
- NEW YORK – 12:00 PM EDT, Aug 21
- SÃO PAULO – 1:00 PM -03, Aug 21
- LONDON – 5:00 PM BST, Aug 21
- PARIS / BERLIN – 6:00 PM CEST, Aug 21
- CAIRO – 6:00 PM EET, Aug 21
- MOSCOW – 7:00 PM MSK, Aug 21
- DUBAI – 8:00 PM GST, Aug 21
- NEW DELHI – 9:30 PM IST, Aug 21
- BANGKOK – 11:00 PM ICT, Aug 21
- SINGAPORE – 12:00 AM SGT, Aug 22
- BEIJING / SHANGHAI – 12:00 AM CST, Aug 22
- TOKYO – 1:00 AM JST, Aug 22
- SYDNEY – 2:00 AM AEST, Aug 22
- AUCKLAND – 4:00 AM NZST, Aug 22
The early access beta will run until 5pm on August 25, 2026. After that, it will unlock again on August 28 for all players to try.
How to get access to the Modern Warfare 4 early access beta
Only a select few gamers will be able to play the early access beta of Modern Warfare 4 with only those who have pre-ordered the game entitled to play.
There are other promotions available that might be able to get you access, but they’re few and far between. Right now, the only other methods I can spot are if you have Discord Nitro, or if you have the Samsung Promotion app.
