Roadmap
WoW Forever Roadmap: Beta, Launch, Raids & Beyond
Follow the confirmed WoW Forever roadmap from September beta to November launch, December raids, Hardcore, new dungeons, quests, PvP, and later updates.
World of Warcraft: Forever begins beta on September 17, launches globally on November 4, and unlocks its new raids on December 9, 2026. Blizzard has also committed to continued raids, dungeons, PvP updates, world content, quests, Hardcore, a revamped iconic raid, and major evergreen updates after launch.
This page is the single timeline for those milestones so release-date articles and future news posts do not duplicate the same roadmap information.
Confirmed 2026 timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September 17, 2026 | WoW Forever beta begins |
| October 21, 2026, PST | Beta window ends |
| October 27–November 3, 2026, PST | Early Name Reservation for upgrade owners |
| November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST | Global launch |
| November 4–11, 2026, PST | Invite-A-Friend Launch Code access window |
| December 9, 2026 | New raids unlock |
September 17: beta begins
Beta is the point where preview claims can start becoming verified guide data. Blizzard guarantees access through the Skyborne Epic Pack and Warcraft Forever Collection, with the published beta window running through October 21.
Our priority during beta is not generic news coverage. It is the information players will repeatedly search for: class and talent data, race/class combinations, zone routes, dungeon maps, quest locations, and system mechanics.
See WoW Forever Beta for access details.
October 27: Early Name Reservation
Players with any optional Forever upgrade purchase can use Early Name Reservation from October 27 through November 3. Blizzard says you can create and customize up to three characters, with names awarded first-come, first-served.
This is separate from beta access: Heroic Pack owners receive Early Name Reservation even though Blizzard does not list beta access with that pack.
November 4: global launch
Forever launches globally on November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST. Access is included with a World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time.
The first live version contains the new 1–60 journey, more than 1,000 new quests, new and reimagined regions, nine new dungeons, Skyborne, class changes, Legacy, Camping, PvP additions, and the foundation for later evergreen updates.
See Release Date & Launch Access for the launch-specific details.
December 9: new raids unlock
Blizzard plans to unlock the new raids on December 9. The announced pair is Barrow Deeps, planned as a max-level 10-player challenge, and Hyjal Summit, a 20-player raid.
For raid details, use the dedicated WoW Forever Raids page.
What comes after December 9?
Blizzard's roadmap language is intentionally broad but important. The company says Forever will continue with:
- more raids;
- more dungeons;
- PvP updates;
- additional world content;
- more quests throughout the level 1–60 journey;
- Hardcore;
- a revamped iconic raid;
- major updates that continue expanding this version of Azeroth.
Blizzard's panel closes by saying Forever is not a mode, a season, or a new version of Classic. The roadmap is meant to support an evergreen game that keeps growing.
What we are not locking into dates yet
Unless Blizzard publishes a date in an official source, this page will not assign exact spring or summer 2027 dates to future systems just because a third-party roadmap graphic or summary suggests a window.
Hardcore, future raids, future dungeons, and the revamped iconic raid are confirmed directions; their exact release dates remain open until Blizzard says otherwise.
Changelog policy
This URL will stay permanent. When Blizzard changes a date or adds a milestone, we will update the timeline here rather than create a new "future content" page that competes for the same search intent.
Roadmap note: all exact dates above come from Blizzard's current panel recap or purchase page. Longer-term features are listed without invented dates.