Release Timeline

World of Warcraft: Forever announced at BlizzCon 2026

• Blizzard's third permanent version of World of Warcraft, beside modern WoW and Classic: original Azeroth, set after Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom and before Molten Core, with new zones, quests, dungeons and raids along the level 1-60 journey.
• Announced with the beta date, the launch date and the 2026 | 2027 roadmap.

Beta begins

• Play up to level 30.
• Beta access comes with the Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection.
• Runs to October 22.

Beta level cap rises to 30

• The beta's level cap goes from 20 to 30 and stays there until the beta ends.
• Expected about two weeks into the beta; Blizzard has not given the day yet.
• Legacy talents are expected to open up with it, which Blizzard has not confirmed.

Beta ends

• Blizzard's roadmap ends the beta on October 22; its pre-purchase post says the beta runs through October 21, PST.

Early name reservation & character creation

• Create and customize up to three characters ahead of launch. Names are first come, first served, and not guaranteed.
• Included with any upgrade edition: the Skyborne Heroic Pack, the Skyborne Epic Pack or the Warcraft Forever Collection.
• Open through November 3, PST.

World of Warcraft: Forever launches

In your time zone: 2026-11-04 23:00 UTC

• Global launch at 3:00 p.m. PST.
• Included with a World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time; the upgrade editions are optional.
• Launch week runs November 4-11: an Invite-A-Friend code from an upgrade edition lets a friend play it that week without a subscription.

Raids unlock

• Barrow Deeps (10 player)
• Hyjal Summit (20 player)
• Onyxia's Lair (40 player)

World of Warcraft: Forever Hardcore launches

December 21, 2026 – March 20, 2027: Blizzard's roadmap only mentions the season, not specific dates. The dates shown are those of the Northern Hemisphere's astronomical winter.

• The roadmap places Hardcore in winter, after the December raids and before the spring update, with no date yet.

Major updates

March 20 – June 21, 2027: Blizzard's roadmap only mentions the season, not specific dates. The dates shown are those of the Northern Hemisphere's astronomical spring.

• 2 new raids (10 player, 20 player)
• 2 new dungeons
• New quests & playable area
• New Legendary questline
• PvP season refresh

Major updates

June 21 – September 23, 2027: Blizzard's roadmap only mentions the season, not specific dates. The dates shown are those of the Northern Hemisphere's astronomical summer.

• Revamped iconic raid
• New raid
• Expanded world content
• 2 new dungeons
• PvP season refresh
• Professions & Legacy updates

Major updates

June 21 – September 23, 2027: Blizzard's roadmap only mentions the season, not specific dates. The dates shown are those of the Northern Hemisphere's astronomical summer.

• Revamped iconic raid
• New raid
• Expanded world content
• 2 new dungeons
• PvP season refresh
• Professions & Legacy updates

Major updates

March 20 – June 21, 2027: Blizzard's roadmap only mentions the season, not specific dates. The dates shown are those of the Northern Hemisphere's astronomical spring.

• 2 new raids (10 player, 20 player)
• 2 new dungeons
• New quests & playable area
• New Legendary questline
• PvP season refresh

World of Warcraft: Forever Hardcore launches

December 21, 2026 – March 20, 2027: Blizzard's roadmap only mentions the season, not specific dates. The dates shown are those of the Northern Hemisphere's astronomical winter.

• The roadmap places Hardcore in winter, after the December raids and before the spring update, with no date yet.

Raids unlock

• Barrow Deeps (10 player)
• Hyjal Summit (20 player)
• Onyxia's Lair (40 player)

World of Warcraft: Forever launches

In your time zone: 2026-11-04 23:00 UTC

• Global launch at 3:00 p.m. PST.
• Included with a World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time; the upgrade editions are optional.
• Launch week runs November 4-11: an Invite-A-Friend code from an upgrade edition lets a friend play it that week without a subscription.

Early name reservation & character creation

• Create and customize up to three characters ahead of launch. Names are first come, first served, and not guaranteed.
• Included with any upgrade edition: the Skyborne Heroic Pack, the Skyborne Epic Pack or the Warcraft Forever Collection.
• Open through November 3, PST.

Beta ends

• Blizzard's roadmap ends the beta on October 22; its pre-purchase post says the beta runs through October 21, PST.

Beta level cap rises to 30

• The beta's level cap goes from 20 to 30 and stays there until the beta ends.
• Expected about two weeks into the beta; Blizzard has not given the day yet.
• Legacy talents are expected to open up with it, which Blizzard has not confirmed.

Beta begins

• Play up to level 30.
• Beta access comes with the Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection.
• Runs to October 22.

World of Warcraft: Forever announced at BlizzCon 2026

• Blizzard's third permanent version of World of Warcraft, beside modern WoW and Classic: original Azeroth, set after Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom and before Molten Core, with new zones, quests, dungeons and raids along the level 1-60 journey.
• Announced with the beta date, the launch date and the 2026 | 2027 roadmap.