WoW Forever launch time in your time zone

Blizzard lists launch as 3:00 p.m. PST on November 4. The countdown on the official Forever page runs to 23:00 UTC, which lines up exactly. It's a single global launch, so every region goes live at the same moment.

WoW Forever launch time by time zone
Time zoneLaunch time
Pacific (PST) Wed, Nov 4, 3:00 p.m.
Eastern (EST) Wed, Nov 4, 6:00 p.m.
UTC / UK (GMT) Wed, Nov 4, 11:00 p.m.
Central Europe (CET) Thu, Nov 5, 12:00 a.m.
Sydney (AEDT) Thu, Nov 5, 10:00 a.m.

Key WoW Forever dates before and after launch

WoW Forever 2026–2027 schedule
DateWhat happens
Sept 17 – Oct 21, 2026 Beta, capped at level 30. Guaranteed for Epic Pack, Collection and Collector's Edition owners; opt-in sign-ups may get picked
Sept 17, 2026, 10:30 a.m. PDT WoW Forever live Q&A on Twitch and YouTube
From Oct 20, 2026 Invite-A-Friend launch codes start arriving by email
Oct 27 – Nov 3, 2026 Early Name Reservation for upgrade owners, up to 3 characters
Nov 4, 2026, 3:00 p.m. PST Launch
Nov 4 – 11, 2026 Friends with an Invite-A-Friend code can play without a subscription
Dec 9, 2026 Raids unlock: Barrow Deeps (10), Hyjal Summit (20), Onyxia's Lair (40)
Winter 2026–27 Hardcore ruleset goes live (no date yet)
Jan 11, 2027 Last day to buy the Warcraft Forever Collection
WoW Forever 2026–2027 roadmap: beta, launch, raids, Hardcore and spring and summer updates
Blizzard's 2026–2027 roadmap, from beta and launch through the December raids, Hardcore and the 2027 updates · Image: Blizzard Entertainment
Source / rights
Image / usage information: (c) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Official World of Warcraft: Forever media from Blizzard announcement pages (downloaded 16 Sep 2026); shown with source link, no ownership asserted. · Image source ↗

Does the beta end October 21 or October 22?

You'll see both. The pre-purchase announcement and the Forever page say October 21, while the roadmap graphic says October 22. Plan around the 21st to be safe.

If you run into a Blizzard post saying beta starts November 17, that's a typo. Every other official page puts the start on September 17.

What you need to play at launch

Forever doesn't have a box price. It's included with an active WoW subscription or Game Time. The Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack and Warcraft Forever Collection are optional: they add the Skyborne race, Early Name Reservation, beta access (Epic and up) and cosmetics.

The game runs on Windows and Mac through the Battle.net app and asks for 128 GB of free SSD space. Worth checking your drive before launch week.

What comes after launch

The first big milestone is December 9, 2026, when Barrow Deeps (10-player), Hyjal Summit (20-player) and Onyxia's Lair (40-player) open. Hardcore is slotted for winter on the roadmap, but there's no day attached.

Spring 2027 is set to bring two more raids, two dungeons and a new legendary questline. Summer adds a revamped iconic raid, another new raid and two more dungeons. Blizzard notes the whole schedule can shift based on player feedback.

FAQ

When does WoW Forever pre-download start?
Blizzard hasn't said yet. You'll install through the Battle.net app, and it needs 128 GB free on an SSD, so clearing space now saves you a headache later.
Can I create my character before launch?
If you own any upgrade, yes. Early Name Reservation runs October 27 to November 3 and covers up to three characters, and the roadmap lists character creation on the same date. Names are first come, first served.
Are raids open on day one?
No. The first three raids unlock December 9, 2026, five weeks after launch. Barrow Deeps is a max-level raid, so that window is your time to hit 60.
Can I play the beta without buying anything?
You can sign up through the Beta Opt-In button on the official Forever page, but that doesn't guarantee a spot. Guaranteed access comes with the Epic Pack, the Warcraft Forever Collection or the physical Collector's Edition.

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