World of Warcraft: Forever / Launch prep

WoW: Forever launch checklist

Blizzard lists November 4, 2026 as the launch date. Use the time before launch to settle your input choice, keybinds, and display layout.

Open the setup checklist WoW: Forever setup hub Browse all setup guides

Updated October 21, 2026. We have not tested the beta or launch client hands on.

Confirmed information

Use the official announcement for launch details.

Blizzard's announcement lists November 4, 2026 as the launch date. We are keeping this page to the date and durable setup steps; check Blizzard's notice for any changes.

Read Blizzard's launch and access notice. Checked October 21, 2026.

Blizzard schedule

WoW: Forever launch dates

Blizzard's launch notice labels its dates PST; this page shows PDT for dates before the November 1 clock change and "Pacific time" for windows that cross it. Blizzard has not announced an opening time for the raid unlock.

October 20, 2026 (PDT)
Invite-A-Friend codes begin by email.
Blizzard says eligible codes start arriving by email on this date.
Blizzard’s launch and access notice
October 21, 2026 (PDT)
Stress Test, then the beta returns.
Blizzard takes the beta offline before the Stress Test, scheduled for 2:00–6:00 p.m. PDT (5:00–9:00 p.m. ET). Any player with a WoW account can join without an active subscription, and the window may end early or run late (Blizzard’s Stress Test notice). When it ends, all Stress Test characters, including names, are deleted and the beta reopens.
Blizzard’s Stress Test schedule
October 23, 2026 (PDT)
Beta closes.
Blizzard plans to close the beta at 10:00 a.m. PDT (1:00 p.m. ET). That replaces the October 21 end date in Blizzard’s original beta notice.
Blizzard’s beta closing notice
October 27–November 3, 2026 (Pacific time)
Early Name Reservation.
Any upgrade purchase includes the window. You can create and customize up to three characters; names are first-come, first-served, and desired names are not guaranteed. North America opens October 27 at 1:00 p.m. PDT (4:00 p.m. ET); Europe opens at 18:00 CET. The three-character limit counts all rulesets together and applies only to Early Name Reservation. To reserve names, Blizzard says to select World of Warcraft: Forever in the Battle.net Game Version menu, then select Install.
Blizzard’s name reservation start times
November 4, 2026 · 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PST
Global launch.
Access is included with a World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time.
Blizzard’s launch time and access terms
December 9, 2026
New raids unlock.
Blizzard has not announced an opening time.
Blizzard’s roadmap recap

Choosing a world

WoW: Forever uses rulesets instead of a long realm list.

Blizzard names four rulesets: Normal, PvP, Roleplaying, and Hardcore. Hardcore will be available sometime after launch; Blizzard has not given a date.

Blizzard’s ruleset announcement.

Announced information

Blizzard plans to close the beta on October 23.

At launch, access is included with a Subscription or Game Time. Beta installation steps apply to the beta client.

As of October 21, 2026, Blizzard has not announced realm names, launch queues, a maintenance window, a launch preload date, or a pre-patch schedule. Its name reservation post lists install steps for the WoW: Forever client. It has published a GPU architecture floor (AMD Graphics Core Next 1, NVIDIA Maxwell, or Intel Skylake or newer) and notes that cards at that floor still fall well below the game's minimum requirements, which are listed on the Battle.net Shop (Blizzard GPU notice).

Updated October 21, 2026, from Blizzard announcements.

Blizzard’s launch and beta notice · Blizzard’s beta install steps · Blizzard’s beta closing notice

Before you play

Prepare the setup decisions that carry over.

Use the current official client information for anything that can change between beta and launch.

Choose your input path

Decide whether to start with mouse and keyboard or a gamepad. Keep a mouse available for chat and menus if you choose a controller.

Compare the setup paths on the WoW: Forever hub

Set keybinds in the client

Map the actions you use often, then check the layout in the actual client before relying on it.

Read the Forever keybind and settings guide

Place the UI for your display

Arrange the main view and secondary information for the screen you have. Test the layout in the client you plan to play.

Compare ultrawide and dual-monitor layouts

Keep hardware changes specific

Use your current gear unless a particular reach, input, or display problem remains after you adjust the layout.

Read the WoW: Forever gear guide

WoW: Forever launch questions

When does WoW: Forever launch?

Blizzard's launch announcement lists November 4, 2026. Check that notice for current launch details.

When can I install WoW: Forever?

Blizzard has not announced a launch preload date. Its October 20 name reservation post lists the install steps: in the Battle.net app, select World of Warcraft, choose World of Warcraft: Forever in the Game Version menu, then select Install. Name reservation opens October 27 at 1:00 p.m. PDT in North America and 18:00 CET in Europe.

What should I prepare first?

Choose an input path, set keybinds in the client, and arrange the interface for your display. Start with the WoW: Forever setup hub.

Does the launch date confirm controller or add-on behavior?

No. Use current client-specific information for controls and add-ons; the date itself does not establish compatibility.

Source check

Official launch information

Blizzard's launch and access notice was checked October 21, 2026. MMOSetup has not tested the beta or launch client hands on.