MW4 Early Access Guide
You don't have to wait until October 23 to play Modern Warfare 4. Digital pre-orders of higher editions include early access to the campaign before global launch. Here's exactly who gets in, when, and what's included.
Who gets early access
Campaign Early Access began October 16, 2026 (10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST) for ALL pre-orders — every edition, including Standard. It includes the Campaign AND DMZ. Multiplayer is NOT part of early access and stays locked until the full launch on October 23.
- ALL pre-orders get early access — every edition, including Standard ($69.99).
- Early access covers the Campaign AND DMZ; it began October 16, 10AM PT.
- Multiplayer is NOT part of early access — it unlocks globally on October 23, 2026.
- Campaign completion rewards (operator cosmetics + XP tokens) transfer and become usable in Multiplayer/DMZ at launch.
Edition-by-edition breakdown
| Edition | Early access starts | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Any pre-order (incl. Standard) | Oct 16, 10AM PT | Campaign + DMZ early access; completion rewards (operator cosmetics, XP tokens) carry into Multiplayer at launch |
All editions at a glance
| Edition | Price (USD) | Key contents |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $69.99 | Base game; Campaign Early Access (Oct 16, campaign + DMZ); open beta early access; Soap 'Legend' Operator skin; 'Fate' Weapon Blueprint |
| Vault | $99.99 | Everything in Standard + Season 1 Battle Pass + 20 Tier Skips + 1,100 CoD Points + Ghost Vault Operator Bundle + Vault 'Fate' Blueprint + 2x XP tokens |
| Pro (digital only) | $129.99 | Everything in Vault + S1 BlackCell Bundle + 12-month CoD Pro membership (Operator variants, priority 2XP events, tournaments, monthly 1,100 CP). Not offered on Switch 2 |
How to start playing early
- Pre-order a qualifying digital edition on your platform's store (physical copies don't grant early access unless stated).
- Pre-load as soon as your store allows it.
- When the early access window opens, the campaign tile unlocks automatically — no code redemption needed on most platforms.
Frequently asked
Does early access include multiplayer?
No — pre-order early access applies to the campaign (and DMZ where included). Multiplayer unlocks globally on October 23, 2026 for everyone.
How many days early can I play?
Up to one week of campaign early access, depending on edition. See the table above for exact dates per edition.