WoW Forever Release Date and Launch Times

Last updated: 2026-10-13

Blizzard has confirmed the date: World of Warcraft: Forever launches globally on November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST. This page converts that moment into the time zones most players care about, explains what happens in the days before launch, and lists what comes after. If you are new to the game, start with our WoW Forever overview.

WoW Forever release date and launch time by region

The table below assumes a single global unlock at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, which is how Blizzard phrases the announcement. 3:00 p.m. PST is 23:00 UTC. Note that daylight saving time ends in the US on November 1, 2026 and in Europe on October 25, 2026, so standard time applies everywhere on launch day.

TODO: verify — whether EU realms unlock at the same instant as NA (Blizzard says “globally”, but no EU-specific post was found), and whether OCE/Asia regions are included.

TODO: verify — one Blizzard article (“Carve a New Path”) says “3:00 p.m. PDT” while the others say “3:00 p.m. PST”. PDT would mean 22:00 UTC. We use PST (23:00 UTC) because daylight time has ended by November 4 and most official posts say PST.

The countdown above reads the launch moment from a single UTC timestamp and shows it in your own browser’s time zone, so you do not have to do the math yourself.

Key dates before and after launch

Several official dates lead into launch day. All dates are Pacific time as published by Blizzard.

• September 17, 2026 — Beta begins for owners of the Skyborne Epic Pack or the Warcraft Forever Collection. See the beta guide.
• October 20, 2026 — Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes start arriving by email for qualifying purchases.
• October 21, 2026 — Beta ends.
• October 27 – November 3, 2026 — Early Name Reservation for anyone who bought an upgrade. You can create and customize up to three characters; names are first-come, first-served.
• November 4, 2026, 3:00 p.m. PST — Global launch.
• November 4 – 11, 2026 — Invited friends can play launch week without a subscription using an Invite-A-Friend code.
• December 9, 2026 — New raids unlock, according to Blizzard’s roadmap.
• January 11, 2027 — Last day the limited-time Warcraft Forever Collection is available.

How to be ready on launch day

Launch evenings for Blizzard’s classic-style games have historically meant login queues and crowded starting zones, so preparation pays off.

1. Make sure your account can play. Forever requires an active World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time. If you are relying on the 30 days included with the Epic Pack or Collection, Blizzard says that time is added starting November 4. Read the price guide for details.
2. Pre-install the client. Use the Battle.net app and pick WoW Forever from the version dropdown as soon as it appears. Our download guide covers the steps. TODO: verify — official pre-download/pre-install date
3. Reserve your name. If you own any upgrade, log in between October 27 and November 3 to create up to three characters.
4. Pick your class early. Use the quiz on our classes page so you are not deciding while the queue ticks down.
5. Coordinate with friends. If you have Invite-A-Friend codes, send them before launch so your friends can redeem them on Battle.net.

Will there be login queues?

Nobody outside Blizzard can say for sure. Blizzard has not published server (realm) lists or capacity plans that we could verify. TODO: verify — realm list, realm types (PvP/PvE/RP), and whether layering is used. We will add a servers page when official information is available.

What happens after launch?

Blizzard calls Forever an “evergreen” version of Azeroth rather than a season. Its roadmap lists new raids on December 9, followed by more raids, dungeons, PvP updates, world content, additional quests across levels 1–60, a Hardcore option, and a revamped iconic raid. Exact dates beyond December 9 have not been announced. Follow our WoW Forever news log for changes as they are confirmed.