With Summer Game Fest now behind us, the next major milestone for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is the highly anticipated multiplayer beta, slated to begin August 14, 2026. As the countdown continues, Infinity Ward has been steadily releasing details about what players can expect from the beta — and the early signs are extremely promising.
The beta will run for two weekends: an early access weekend (August 14-16) for players who pre-order any edition of MW4, followed by an open beta weekend (August 21-23) available to all players across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC with full cross-play support. This marks the first time in franchise history that a Call of Duty beta will feature full cross-platform matchmaking from day one, allowing friends on any platform to squad up seamlessly.
Content-wise, the beta is expected to include six multiplayer maps — three brand new maps built for the IW 10.0 engine and three remastered classics. Early reports suggest Rust, Terminal, and Highrise will be among the returning fan-favorites, though Infinity Ward has yet to officially confirm the full map roster. Players will have access to a curated selection of weapons spanning all major categories, including the new Omnimovement system that allows sprinting, sliding, and mantling in any direction.
For those looking to maximize their beta experience, Infinity Ward recommends pre-loading the game at least 48 hours before the early access start date. The MW4 pre-order vault edition at $119.99 includes exclusive beta weapon blueprints and operator skins, while the standard $79.99 edition provides full beta access as well. With record-breaking pre-order numbers already reported and the November 6 launch window approaching, MW4 is shaping up to be the biggest Call of Duty release in years.