Two Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer test weekends are coming in August

The official announcement of the game left the fans eager to know more, and now the countdown to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has officially entered its next phase. Activision has unveiled the full schedule for the game's multiplayer beta, giving eager recruits two chances to hit the battlefield before the shooter launches later this year. Whether you're the type to pre-order on day one or prefer to test the waters first, August will be a busy month for Call of Duty fans.

Two betas; only one of them will be open

The action begins with the Early Access Beta, running from August 21 to August 25. Players who pre-order any edition of Modern Warfare 4—digitally or physically—will receive access across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. In a welcome change from past entries, there are no platform-exclusive windows, meaning everyone with early access can deploy at the same time regardless of their system of choice.

Those willing to wait just a little longer can join the Open Beta, which takes place from August 28 through September 1. This second test removes the pre-order requirement entirely, allowing anyone to jump in, experiment with the latest multiplayer content, and help Infinity Ward put its servers through one final stress test before launch.

No matter which weekend you choose, the beta will kick off simultaneously around the globe. Both sessions begin at 10:00 AM PT, 1:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM BST, and 7:00 PM CEST, ensuring players worldwide can dive into the action together from the moment the gates open.

No bonus for Xbox Game Pass subscribers

One detail that has caught many by surprise is Microsoft's approach to beta access. Despite Activision Blizzard now being part of the Xbox family, Game Pass subscribers won't receive automatic early entry. Instead, the only way to secure access during the first weekend is by pre-ordering the game. That means subscribers won't get any special treatment this time around, making the beta one of the few places where everyone has to earn their spot the same way.

The beta is expected to provide the participants with ample access to Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer offering, including new maps, weapons, modes, and gameplay refinements. Beyond giving players an early taste of the action, the event will provide Infinity Ward with invaluable data to fine-tune matchmaking, weapon balance, and server stability ahead of launch.

The release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled for October 23. Therefore, these beta weekends are a great opportunity to learn more about the novelties this installment is bringing. Expect fierce firefights, countless highlight clips, and the inevitable debates over the strongest loadouts long before the full game lands. After all, no Call of Duty beta is complete until someone declares a weapon "completely broken" within the first hour. 

Whether you take part in any of the betas or not, if Call of Duty is your favourite shooter, remember to visit our comparator to keep track of the best deals to buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 at the lowest price.