Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Launch Schedule: Campaign, DMZ, Preload and PC Requirements

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is set to arrive in stages during October 2026, beginning with campaign early access for eligible digital preorders before expanding to DMZ and, finally, the full multiplayer launch. Activision has outlined the key dates, preload window, edition differences, and PC hardware targets players will want to check before deployment.

The broad release date is October 23, 2026, when the complete Modern Warfare 4 package, including multiplayer, becomes available across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and Nintendo Switch 2. However, digital preorder customers can start earlier in select parts of the game. The single-player campaign opens first on October 16, while the returning extraction-focused DMZ mode follows on October 20.

For players trying to plan downloads, squad schedules, or a return to the series, the staggered approach means that the edition and storefront selected may matter just as much as the platform. It also means checking storage space ahead of time: PC players will need a sizeable amount of SSD capacity even before considering any optional Call of Duty content they choose to keep installed.

Modern Warfare 4 release dates at a glance

• Preload begins: October 14 at 9 PM PDT
• Campaign early access: October 16, 2026
• DMZ early access for preorders: October 20, 2026
• Full game launch, including multiplayer: October 23, 2026

The October 23 date represents the main launch for Modern Warfare 4. That is when players can expect the full game experience, including multiplayer, to go live. Campaign early access is a separate benefit and should not be mistaken for a complete early launch of every mode.

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DMZ also has its own earlier access point. The extraction mode is scheduled to become available to preorder customers on October 20, giving qualifying players several days with that mode before the wider October 23 release. The separation of campaign and DMZ access creates a three-step schedule rather than one single unlock moment.

When Modern Warfare 4 unlocks on PC

On PC, Modern Warfare 4 is planned to unlock at midnight local time on the morning of October 23. In practical terms, the game becomes playable as each local region reaches 12 AM, rather than unlocking worldwide at one shared universal hour.

That local-midnight approach produces the following listed times for major cities and regions:

• Los Angeles -- 12 AM PDT
• Mexico City -- 12 AM CST
• Bogotá -- 12 AM COT
• New York -- 12 AM EDT
• Brasília -- 12 AM BRT
• Accra -- 12 AM GMT
• London -- 12 AM BST
• Warsaw -- 12 AM CEST
• Cape Town -- 12 AM SAST
• Kyiv -- 12 AM EEST
• Beijing -- 12 AM CST
• Seoul -- 12 AM KST
• Tokyo -- 12 AM JST
• Melbourne -- 12 AM AEST
• Auckland -- 12 AM NZDT

If the PC version does not become available immediately at the expected time, a full restart of Steam may be needed to force the client to refresh its unlock status. This is a sensible first troubleshooting step, particularly for players who had the storefront open as the local release time passed.

The announced timing specifically details PC's local-midnight rollout. Console players should keep an eye on their platform storefronts and in-game download status as launch approaches, since installation packages and availability can differ by ecosystem and region.

Campaign early access starts October 16

Campaign early access begins on October 16, 2026. Access is included with a preorder of either the Digital Standard Edition or the Digital Vault Edition. This benefit is limited to digital purchases under the stated plan.

Players who buy the physical Standard Edition do not receive campaign early access. That distinction is important for anyone choosing between a boxed copy and a digital copy primarily to begin the story mode a week ahead of the full-game launch. A physical preorder still includes the base game, but it does not carry the early campaign entitlement.

Early campaign access is particularly useful for players who prefer to complete the narrative before multiplayer becomes the focus of the community. It may also reduce the launch-week pressure for those hoping to avoid spoilers, though players should remember that multiplayer itself remains tied to the October 23 full release.

DMZ access arrives before the complete launch

Modern Warfare 4's DMZ mode is scheduled to open on October 20 for players who preordered the game. That places the extraction mode between campaign early access and the arrival of the complete release.

DMZ has a different rhythm from conventional multiplayer, emphasizing deployments, survival, extraction, and the risks attached to carrying valuable loot through hostile encounters. Giving preorder players access ahead of October 23 provides time to learn its systems before the broader player base enters the mode alongside the game's full launch.

The available details identify DMZ early access as a preorder benefit. Players should verify that their purchase is properly recognized on the platform where they intend to play, especially if they ordered through a third-party retailer or are moving between platform accounts.

Modern Warfare 4 editions and early-access eligibility

There are three outlined purchase options, and the major difference is not just the included cosmetics or bonuses. The format of the purchase directly affects campaign early access and the possibility of upgrading later.

Digital Standard Edition -- $69.99

The Digital Standard Edition includes the full game, digital preorder bonuses, and campaign early access. It can also be upgraded to the Vault Edition. For players who want to start the campaign on October 16 without immediately committing to the premium package, this is the entry-level digital option.

Digital Vault Edition -- $99.99

The Digital Vault Edition includes the full game and campaign early access, along with both Operator Packs, the Signature Weapon Collection, one season of BlackCell, and the DMZ Deployment Bonus. It is the higher-priced choice for players interested in the additional in-game content and seasonal benefits from day one.

Physical Standard Edition -- $69.99

The Physical Standard Edition contains the base game but does not include early access. It also cannot be upgraded to the Vault Edition. That makes it the straightforward option for players who want a disc release, but it comes with trade-offs compared with either digital edition.

Digital Standard and Digital Vault preorders include campaign early access; the physical Standard Edition does not.

Preload begins October 14

Preloading for Modern Warfare 4 begins at 9 PM PDT on October 14. Because this is a simultaneous regional rollout, the calendar date changes in many territories. The equivalent listed times are 10 PM CST in Mexico City, 11 PM COT in Bogotá, and 12 AM EDT on October 15 in New York.

Further east, preload begins at 1 AM BRT in Brasília, 4 AM GMT in Accra, 5 AM BST in London, 6 AM CEST in Warsaw and 6 AM SAST in Cape Town. Kyiv receives access at 7 AM EEST. In Asia-Pacific regions, the rollout is set for 12 PM CST in Beijing, 1 PM KST in Seoul and 1 PM JST in Tokyo, followed by 2 PM AEST in Melbourne and 5 PM NZDT in Auckland.

During installation, players can select the content they want to download. That choice includes whether to install Warzone alongside Modern Warfare 4. The new version of Warzone, however, will not be available until the start of Season 1, so installing related content should not be interpreted as immediate access to that updated experience.

Players on Xbox may see discussion of changing a console's region or time zone to New Zealand in an effort to access releases sooner. Availability and entitlement behavior can vary, and players should be cautious about relying on region-setting workarounds rather than the official schedule for their account and location.

PC storage and system requirements

Modern Warfare 4 requires 115GB of available SSD space on PC. That is the stated requirement for the game itself, and players with limited capacity should leave additional room for updates and any optional Call of Duty components they elect to install. Console download sizes may vary based on platform and selected content, though they may be broadly comparable.

The minimum PC specification targets an AMD Ryzen 5 1400 or Intel Core i5-6600 processor, 8GB of RAM, and an AMD Radeon RX 470, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or GTX 1060, or Intel Arc A580 graphics card. The listed minimum video-memory figure is 3GB.

For the recommended target of 90 frames per second at High settings, the requirements rise to an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i7-8700, 16GB of RAM, and an AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, or Intel Arc B580. This tier calls for 8GB of video memory. An SSD with 115GB available remains required at both levels.

With preload beginning October 14, campaign access following on October 16, DMZ arriving October 20, and the entire package launching October 23, Modern Warfare 4 players have a clear sequence to prepare for. Choosing the right edition, clearing SSD space, and downloading only the desired content should make the transition into each phase substantially smoother.