Beta Overview
The World of Warcraft: Forever beta closed on October 23 at 10:00 a.m. PDT, two days later than first planned, after opening on September 17 at 10:30 a.m. PDT. It started at a level 20 cap, rose to level 30 on October 1, and shared its final week with the open October 21 Stress Test.
Beta characters stayed behind, and everyone started fresh at launch on November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST. Upgrade pack owners claimed up to three characters early in name reservation, which opened October 27 at 1:00 p.m. PDT. The launch guide has launch times for every region and a first-week checklist.
How the Beta Was Open
The beta had four ways in, plus the one-day Stress Test. None of them needed an active subscription or Game Time.
| Route | Beta Access | How |
|---|---|---|
| Skyborne Epic Pack | Guaranteed | Pre-purchased in the Battle.net Shop. |
| Warcraft Forever Collection | Guaranteed | Pre-purchased in the Battle.net Shop. |
| Beta opt-in | Chance to be selected | Free sign-up on the official WoW Forever website. |
| McDonald's Australia | While keys lasted (thru Oct 20) | 1,000 MyMacca's points bought a beta key, redeemed on any Battle.net account by October 20, 11:59 p.m. AEDT. |
| Final Stress Test (Oct 21) | Open to all Battle.net accounts | A one-day Stress Test realm on October 21, with no subscription or upgrade pack required. |
Every upgrade pack still includes the Skyborne race. Compare what each pack includes on the release date page.
From Beta to Launch
Players in the Americas tested on the global beta, on the same servers as everyone outside China. Here is the full run in Pacific time, from the first login to launch day.
| Milestone | Pacific Time |
|---|---|
| Beta opens | September 17 at 10:30 a.m. PDT, right after Blizzard's live Q&A |
| Level cap rises to 30 | October 1 |
| Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes sent | From October 20, 2026, by email to upgrade pack owners |
| Final Stress Test | October 21 (open to all accounts) |
| Beta closes | October 23 at 10:00 a.m. PDT, two days later than first planned |
| Name reservation | October 27 at 1:00 p.m. PDT through November 3, up to three characters |
| Launch | November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST |
Four days separated the end of the beta from name reservation, and launch followed a week later. Launch times for every other region are on the release date page.
Install the Forever Client
The beta client is retired. WoW Forever now runs on the live client, which you install from the same game version menu.
- Update your graphics drivers, then open the Battle.net app and let it update.
- Select World of Warcraft, open the game version menu above the Play button, and choose World of Warcraft: Forever.
- Select Install, then Play, pick your ruleset, and create your character.
Play needs an active World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time on the same account. If you reserved names, those characters are already on your character list.
Your First Days
With the beta behind you and the servers open, these are the quickest wins for your first sessions.
- Your class. Talents, spells, and racials are all revised. Sketch a build in the talent calculator and check new ranks in the spellbook.
- Your race. Every race has two active and two passive racials. Compare them on the races page.
- Your Legacy Points. Plan where your first points go with the Legacy Trees planner.
- Your main. Still deciding? Roll a random character for a fresh idea, or compare the class guides.
Common Questions
Is the WoW Forever beta still open?
No. Blizzard extended the beta by two days and closed it on October 23 at 10:00 a.m. PDT. WoW Forever launched on November 4, 2026 and is live now for anyone with an active subscription or Game Time.
How long did the WoW Forever beta last?
From September 17 at 10:30 a.m. PDT to October 23 at 10:00 a.m. PDT: a little over five weeks, ending twelve days before the November 4, 2026 launch.
How did players get into the beta?
The Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection guaranteed access, the free opt-in on the official website selected players at random, McDonald's Australia traded 1,000 app points for a key, and the October 21 Stress Test was open to every Battle.net account.
What was the beta level cap?
The beta opened with a level 20 cap and rose to 30 on October 1. Levels 31 to 60 opened at launch.
Did beta characters carry over to launch?
No. Beta characters, levels, and items stayed behind. Everyone started fresh on November 4, 2026; the only characters waiting at launch were the up to three that upgrade pack owners created in name reservation from October 27 at 1:00 p.m. PDT.
Does the Skyborne Heroic Pack include beta access?
No. Beta access came with the Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection. The Heroic Pack unlocks the Skyborne race and included name reservation.
When did WoW Forever launch?
WoW Forever launched worldwide on November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST and is live now. Name reservation for upgrade pack owners ran from October 27 at 1:00 p.m. PDT through November 3.