WoW Forever beta and release date

When the WoW Forever beta started, and the Server Slam

The beta opened on 17 September after Blizzard's live Q&A at 10:30am PDT. New invite waves and upgrade-pack purchases are flagged automatically, so there is no fixed time to watch for now. A Server Slam that opens the beta to everyone for a few hours is planned for later in the test. Official

How to get WoW Forever beta access

There are two ways in. Buy the Skyborne Epic Pack, the Warcraft Forever Collection or the Collector's Edition for guaranteed access, or opt in for free on the official WoW Forever page for a chance to be picked. The cheaper Skyborne Heroic Pack does not include beta access.

• Official Guaranteed beta access comes with the Skyborne Epic Pack, the Warcraft Forever Collection and the Collector's Edition. Digital upgrades flag your account automatically, and the boxed Collector's Edition emails one beta code per account.Blizzard: Pre-Purchase Upgrades · Blizzard Support: WoW Forever beta
• Official Anyone can opt in to the beta for free on the official WoW Forever page. Opting in gives a chance at access, not a guarantee.Blizzard: WoW Forever page · Blizzard Support: WoW Forever beta
• Official The beta client can go offline at any time, and there are no separate beta forums. Feedback goes to the WoW Forever forum.Blizzard Support: WoW Forever beta
• Official The beta level cap starts at 20 and will be raised to 30 later in the test. Blizzard has not given a date for the raise.Blizzard: The WoW Forever Beta Now Live, 2026-09-17
• Reported Developers said in an interview that the cap rises to 30 after about two weeks and then stays at 30 to the end of the beta.2 independent reports
• Official Opted-in players are picked in waves sent regularly through the test, and selected accounts are flagged automatically on Battle.net. Blizzard says it is also inviting community veterans, press, fan sites, friends and family over the course of the beta.Blizzard: The WoW Forever Beta Now Live, 2026-09-17
• Official A Server Slam will open the beta servers to everyone for several hours later in the test. Blizzard will announce the date closer to the time.Blizzard: The WoW Forever Beta Now Live, 2026-09-17
• Official Buying the Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection can take up to 30 minutes to flag your account for the beta.Blizzard: The WoW Forever Beta Now Live, 2026-09-17

What is in the WoW Forever beta

Blizzard confirmed the beta opened at level cap 20, rising to 30 later in the test. Official Week 1 has the Skyborne and Zephras Isle, every zone to level 20, and the first two new dungeons. Progress does not carry over to launch. The full picture, including what to test and the Server Slam, is on the WoW Forever beta guide. These new dungeons fit under a level 30 cap:

• Hall of Thanes, levels 13 to 18
• Ruins of Lordaeron, levels 15 to 20
• Whelgar's Excavation, levels 24 to 29
• City of Dalaran, levels 28 to 33

Hall of Thanes and Ruins of Lordaeron are open now; the rest open as the cap rises. See every dungeon on WoW Forever dungeons by level.

WoW Forever key dates

All dates are official. See the full timeline and roadmap for what comes after launch.

WoW Forever editions, access and name reservation

• Official Global launch November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST. Beta runs September 17 to October 21, 2026. The first raids unlock December 9.Blizzard: What's Next Panel Recap · Blizzard: Pre-Purchase Upgrades
• Official Forever is included with a World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time. Optional upgrade packs add content and cosmetics.Blizzard: What's Next Panel Recap
• Official Skyborne Heroic Pack: Skyborne race and starting zone, Cerulean Prideclaw ground mount, early name reservation, housing decor and 1 Invite-A-Friend Launch Code.Blizzard: Pre-Purchase Upgrades
• Official Skyborne Epic Pack: everything in Heroic, plus beta access from September 17, 30 days of Game Time starting November 4, and 2 more Invite-A-Friend codes (3 total).Blizzard: Pre-Purchase Upgrades
• Official Warcraft Forever Collection: everything in Epic, plus Warcraft III: Reforged and the Forsaken Kingdom campaign. On sale for a limited time, through January 11, 2027.Blizzard: Pre-Purchase Upgrades
• Reported Prices: Heroic $30, Epic $60, Collection about $80 ($79.99), physical Collector's Edition $150 (reported sold out). One report also lists a Windwell toy and original Collector's Edition pets. It gives Epic two Invite-A-Friend codes and the Collection three, which conflicts with Blizzard's count of 3 for Epic.1 independent report
• Official Collector's Edition: 13-inch Dwarf and Bear statue, Zephras Isle mousepad, art prints, collectible pins and companion journal, plus a Warcraft Forever Collection code.Blizzard: Pre-Purchase the Collector's Edition
• Reported The Skyborne race and Zephras Isle starting zone require a paid upgrade. Base access covers the rest of the new content.1 independent report
• Official Early Name Reservation runs October 27 to November 3, 2026 (PST) and comes with any upgrade. Up to 3 characters, first come first served.Blizzard: Pre-Purchase Upgrades
• Official Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes let a friend play free during launch week, November 4 to 11, 2026. Codes are distributed from October 20, 2026.Blizzard: Pre-Purchase Upgrades
• Official Skyborne are playable from week 1 of the beta.Blizzard: The WoW Forever Beta Now Live, 2026-09-17

WoW Forever beta and release date questions