Guide
Launch countdown
Worldwide launch
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 3:00 PM Pacific time (23:00 UTC)
In New York: Wednesday, November 4 at 6:00 PM
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Every date until launch
Oct 9, 1:00 AM UTC
PAX Aus keynote, live on Twitch
Clay Stone presents one of Forever’s new dungeons.
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October 20
Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes arrive by email
One with the Heroic Pack, three with the Epic Pack or the Collection.
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October 21
Last full day of the beta
Beta testers play until October 21, Pacific time.
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October 27 – November 3
Early Name Reservation
With any upgrade: up to three characters, first come, first served.
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Nov 4, 11:00 PM UTC
Worldwide launch
The same moment in every region. The Epic Pack’s and the Collection’s 30 days of Game Time begin, and friends invited with a launch code play without a subscription until November 11.
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December 9
New raids unlock
Blizzard’s roadmap unlocks three: the new Barrow Deeps (10 players) and Hyjal Summit (20), and Onyxia’s Lair (40).
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January 11, 2027
Last day to buy the Warcraft Forever Collection
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Dates without a time are Blizzard’s days, in Pacific time; times are shown in yours. Every date in one calendar (.ics)
Not announced yet
- Server Slam — Blizzard plans to open the servers to everyone for several hours; no date yet.
- Launch client download — Blizzard hasn’t said when the launch client can be downloaded.
- Name reservation hours — Only its dates are known: October 27 to November 3.
Ready for launch day
Tick things off as you go: the list stays on this device.
About this tool
Countdown to WoW Forever’s launch in your time zone, with every date Blizzard has announced, a calendar link for each and a checklist for launch day.
Dates from Blizzard’s announcements, checked on October 6, 2026:
- Blizzard — World of Warcraft: Forever, official page (launch countdown)
- Blizzard News — Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades and Begin Your Next Journey in Azeroth
- Blizzard News — The World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now Live
- Blizzard News — World of Warcraft: Forever What’s Next Panel Recap
- Blizzard News — Watch Holly Longdale and Clay Stone’s Keynote Presentations Live from PAX Aus 9-11 October
Four rulesets instead of realms
Each ruleset is one large world: you only play with those who chose the same one, so agree on it with your friends.
Normal
Built around cooperation: fighting another player takes mutual consent.
PvP
Contested territory is dangerous: the other faction can attack you almost anywhere.
Roleplaying
For living the fantasy of Azeroth, with strict naming and behavior rules.
HardcoreAfter launch
No date yet: death is permanent.
Launch time around the world
| City | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Wed, Nov 4 | 3:00 PM |
| New York | Wed, Nov 4 | 6:00 PM |
| Mexico City | Wed, Nov 4 | 5:00 PM |
| São Paulo | Wed, Nov 4 | 8:00 PM |
| London | Wed, Nov 4 | 11:00 PM |
| Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Rome | Thu, Nov 5 | 12:00 AM |
| Moscow | Thu, Nov 5 | 2:00 AM |
| Beijing, Taipei | Thu, Nov 5 | 7:00 AM |
| Seoul | Thu, Nov 5 | 8:00 AM |
Frequently asked questions
- What time does WoW Forever launch?
- WoW Forever launches on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST (23:00 UTC), at the same moment in every region: 6:00 p.m. in New York, 11:00 p.m. in London, midnight on November 5 in Paris and 8:00 a.m. in Seoul. The countdown on this page shows it in your own time zone.
- When can I reserve my character names?
- Early Name Reservation runs from October 27 to November 3, 2026, Pacific time, with any of the three upgrades. It covers up to three characters, first come, first served; Blizzard hasn’t announced the hours yet.
- Can I download WoW Forever before launch?
- Blizzard hasn’t said when the launch client can be downloaded. Install the Battle.net app now: the game will download there once Blizzard opens it.
- Which ruleset should I choose?
- Normal, PvP or Roleplaying at launch, and Hardcore later. Each ruleset is one large world: groups, mail and guilds don’t cross from one to another, so agree on yours with your friends, before October 27 if you reserve names.
- Is there a Server Slam before launch?
- Blizzard plans a Server Slam, a few hours when the servers open to everyone, but hasn’t dated it yet.