Activision reveals Call of Duty: NEXT schedule and Modern Warfare 4 beta windows

Activision has posted the official schedule and access details for both Call of Duty: NEXT and the Modern Warfare 4 beta, giving players a clear timeline for when to watch, preload and play. Call of Duty: NEXT is set for 9 a.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, and the Modern Warfare 4 Early Access beta begins two hours later at 11 a.m. PT. Preloading for eligible players opened at 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Aug. 20.

The first beta window, labeled Early Access, runs from 11 a.m. PT Friday, Aug. 21, through 10 a.m. PT Tuesday, Aug. 25. That weekend is limited to players who digitally preordered or prepurchased Modern Warfare 4 on supported storefronts, or players who redeemed an Early Access beta code. The second window, the Open Beta, runs from 10 a.m. PT Friday, Aug. 28, through 10 a.m. PT Tuesday, Sept. 1. Weekend One is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Steam and Battle.net. Nintendo Switch 2 is not included in Weekend One, but joins for Weekend Two.

The beta is not part of the main Call of Duty application. Activision says players need to download a separate beta app directly from their platform storefront. For players using a code, redemption happens at callofduty.com/betaredeem. After redeeming, players choose a platform, and Activision says the Early Access beta token sent by email near the start of Early Access is tied to that selection. Physical preorders generally require a retailer-issued code. Players planning to join the Open Beta can start preloading at 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Aug. 26. One platform-specific note: on Xbox on PC, the initial preload is only a small portion of the full install, with the larger download becoming available at 7 a.m. PT on Aug. 21.

What players get is broader than a typical Call of Duty beta. Weekend One includes “Entrenched,” a playable campaign mission that Activision says marks the first time a Call of Duty beta has included story content. It also includes multiplayer, with five 6-vs.-6 maps, six core 6-vs.-6 modes and a Mobility Course. Weekend Two expands the test further by adding Warzone Resurgence on the new Zodiac map, alongside the existing beta content. The setup gives players an early look not just at standard multiplayer, but at more of Activision’s wider Call of Duty ecosystem.

Progression carries from Weekend One into Weekend Two, but beta XP, rank and weapon progression do not transfer into the full game. Cosmetic beta rewards do carry into the full release if players unlock them during the test. Activision says players can reach level 20 in Weekend One to earn the first five beta rewards, while level 30 in Weekend Two unlocks the full set of eight. Twitch Drops will also be available both during Call of Duty: NEXT and through participating creators during the beta, as long as players link their Activision account to Twitch. Modern Warfare 4 launches Oct. 23, 2026, with Campaign Early Access for eligible digital preorders beginning Oct. 16. For players hoping to get into Weekend One, the practical checklist is simple: preload the standalone beta now, make sure your Activision account is linked correctly, and confirm that your preorder or beta code is tied to the platform you plan to use.