WoW Classic Forever Launch Nov 4

WoW Forever Release Date and Beta

World of Warcraft: Forever launches worldwide on November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST. Every date Blizzard has announced, from the beta to the 2027 updates, on one page.

Compiled from Blizzard's announcements, roadmap, store page and support articles; Blizzard notes that content and timing can change. Last reviewed: .

WoW Forever launch

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 · 3:00 PM PST

Your time:

–Days
–Hours
–Minutes
–Seconds
  • Beta · Sep 17 – Oct 21
  • Name reservation · Oct 27
  • First raids · Dec 9

WoW Forever launch time around the world

One global launch: in Europe, Asia and Australia it is already November 5.

  • Los Angeles3:00 PMWed, Nov 4 · PST
  • Denver4:00 PMWed, Nov 4 · MST
  • Chicago5:00 PMWed, Nov 4 · CST
  • New York6:00 PMWed, Nov 4 · EST
  • São Paulo8:00 PMWed, Nov 4 · GMT-3
  • London11:00 PMWed, Nov 4 · GMT
  • Paris · Berlin12:00 AMThu, Nov 5 · GMT+1
  • Moscow2:00 AMThu, Nov 5 · GMT+3
  • Singapore7:00 AMThu, Nov 5 · GMT+8
  • Seoul · Tokyo8:00 AMThu, Nov 5 · GMT+9
  • Sydney10:00 AMThu, Nov 5 · GMT+11

WoW Forever beta: dates and access

Beta dates
Sep 17 – Oct 21
roadmap graphic says Oct 22
Level cap
30
per Blizzard’s roadmap
Game Time
Not needed
beta access still required
Guaranteed access
Epic Pack
or the Collection or Collector’s Edition

Three ways into the beta

Guaranteed

Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection

Access is added to your account automatically. No code to redeem.

Guaranteed

Collector's Edition

A beta code arrives by email; redeem it on the account you play on.

A chance

Website sign-up

Free, but not guaranteed. The sign-up opens around the testing period.

The beta shows up in the Battle.net app once testing starts. Step-by-step help: Blizzard Support on beta access.

What each edition includes

WoW Forever editions compared (US prices)
EditionPriceBetaSkyborne raceName reservation30 days Game TimeInvite-A-Friend codes
Skyborne Heroic Pack$29.99–✓✓–1
Skyborne Epic Pack$59.99✓✓✓✓3
Warcraft Forever Collection$79.99✓✓✓✓Included
Collector's EditionGear Store✓✓✓✓Included

The Collection adds Warcraft III: Reforged and its Forsaken Kingdom campaign; the Collector’s Edition is a physical box with a Collection code.

WoW Forever timeline: every announced date

  1. Sep 17 – Oct 21, 2026

    Beta

    Up to level 30.

  2. Oct 20, 2026

    Invite-A-Friend codes go out by email

  3. Oct 27 – Nov 3, 2026

    Early name reservation and character creation

    Up to 3 characters, with any upgrade.

  4. Nov 4, 2026

    Launch

    3:00 PM PST, worldwide.

  5. Nov 4 – 11, 2026

    Invite-A-Friend week

    Invited friends play without a subscription.

  6. Dec 9, 2026

    First raids unlock

    Barrow Deeps (10), Hyjal Summit (20) and Onyxia’s Lair (40).

  7. Jan 11, 2027

    Warcraft Forever Collection leaves the store

  8. Winter

    Hardcore launches

  9. Spring 2027

    Major update

    Two raids, two dungeons, new quests and area, a legendary questline, PvP season refresh.

  10. Summer 2027

    Major update

    A revamped iconic raid, a new raid, two dungeons, more world content, PvP, professions and Legacy updates.

The World of Warcraft: Forever roadmap for 2026 and 2027, from beta through the summer update
Blizzard's 2026–2027 roadmap, from the What's Next panel recap. Content and timing can change. Image: Blizzard Entertainment.

Do you need to buy WoW Forever?

Base game

Included with WoW

A subscription or Game Time covers Forever from launch, with 1,000+ new quests promised on the store page.

Optional

Upgrades

Add the Skyborne race, beta access, name reservation and cosmetics; Epic and Collection add 30 days of Game Time.

Good to know

Digital now, Collector's Edition later

Redeem the Collector’s Edition code by Dec 31, 2027 and the digital purchase comes back as Battle.net Balance.

WoW Forever release date FAQ

When does WoW Forever come out?

November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST, worldwide. In Europe, Asia and Australia that is November 5.

What time does WoW Forever launch in Europe?

Wed, Nov 4, 11:00 PM GMT in the UK and Thu, Nov 5, 12:00 AM GMT+1 in Central Europe.

What time does WoW Forever launch in Asia and Australia?

Thu, Nov 5, 7:00 AM GMT+8 in Singapore, Thu, Nov 5, 8:00 AM GMT+9 in Seoul and Tokyo, and Thu, Nov 5, 10:00 AM GMT+11 in Sydney.

When does the WoW Forever beta start and end?

September 17 to October 21, 2026, going by Blizzard's announcement; the roadmap graphic shows October 22.

How do I get into the WoW Forever beta?

Buy the Skyborne Epic Pack, the Warcraft Forever Collection or the Collector's Edition for guaranteed access, or sign up on the World of Warcraft website for a chance.

Is the WoW Forever beta free?

It doesn't need Game Time, but you still need beta access from one of those editions or a sign-up invite.

What level can you reach in the WoW Forever beta?

Level 30, according to Blizzard's roadmap.

How do I download the WoW Forever beta?

Accounts with access see it in the Battle.net app once testing starts.

Does beta progress carry over to launch?

Blizzard hasn't said that beta characters carry over.

Can I reserve my character name before launch?

Yes, with any upgrade: October 27 to November 3, up to 3 characters, first come, first served.

When do the first WoW Forever raids open?

December 9: the Barrow Deeps (10 players), Hyjal Summit (20) and Onyxia's Lair (40).

When does WoW Forever Hardcore come out?

In the winter after launch, on Blizzard's roadmap. No exact date yet.

Do I need to buy WoW Forever?

No. It comes with a WoW subscription or Game Time; the upgrades are optional.

Still unconfirmed

  • The time the beta opens on September 17
  • Whether the beta ends October 21 (announcement) or October 22 (roadmap)
  • Whether beta characters carry over
  • When sign-up invites go out
  • The unlock time on December 9
  • Prices outside the US
  • The date Hardcore launches

Sources