Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23, 2026, but several dates and platform rules have made the release look more complicated than it is. The short version: the full game opens at midnight local time, while campaign early access and PC preloading started earlier for eligible digital buyers.
Modern Warfare 4 launch time in the United States
The full game releases at 12:00 a.m. local time on Friday, October 23. That means the clock reaches midnight separately in Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific time. The official PC launch information uses local time rather than one simultaneous worldwide unlock.
At full launch, players can access the campaign, multiplayer, and the new DMZ extraction experience. If you only want multiplayer or DMZ, October 23 is the date that matters.
Campaign early access is not the full launch
Digital preorders and PC prepurchases received campaign early access beginning October 16. That window is limited to the campaign. Multiplayer and DMZ remain locked until the full release.
If you already started the story, there is no second campaign download requirement announced beyond the normal launch update. However, a day-one patch can still increase the final storage footprint. Our earlier guide explains exactly who qualifies for Modern Warfare 4 campaign early access and what is excluded.
Which platforms get Modern Warfare 4?
Modern Warfare 4 launches on:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X and Series S
- Xbox on PC
- Battle.net
- Steam
- Nintendo Switch 2
There are no PlayStation 4 or Xbox One versions. Nintendo Switch 2 joins the other current platforms on October 23, with cross-play and cross-progression support advertised for the broader Call of Duty ecosystem.
Xbox Play Anywhere applies to the Xbox digital version, so an eligible purchase covers Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC under the same Microsoft account. Battle.net and Steam remain separate storefront purchases.
When can you preload?
PC preloading began October 15 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific for players who prepurchased digitally. On console, preload availability can depend on the store, edition, and whether automatic downloads are enabled. Check the game tile in your library instead of downloading the old beta client, which is a separate product listing.
The safest approach is to launch the main Call of Duty app before October 23 and confirm that Modern Warfare 4 content packs are selected. Leave room for an update even if the base game already appears installed.
Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements that matter
The official PC specifications list a 115 GB SSD as the baseline storage requirement. Additional space may be needed for mandatory updates.
| Target | CPU | GPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Ryzen 5 1400 or Core i5-6600 | RX 470, GTX 970/1060, or Arc A580 | 8 GB |
| Recommended, 90 FPS multiplayer at High | Ryzen 5 3600 or Core i7-8700K | RX 6600 XT, RTX 3060 Ti, or Arc B580 | 16 GB |
| 4K upscaled ray tracing | Ryzen 7 3700X or Core i7-10700K | RX 9070 XT or RTX 5070 Ti | 32 GB |
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are also required on PC. Intel Arc graphics cards need Resizable BAR, and the game requires a broadband connection and DirectX 12 compatibility.
What to check before midnight
- Install the latest AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel driver recommended for launch.
- Keep more than 115 GB free so the launcher can unpack files and apply updates.
- Confirm TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot if the PC launcher reports a security error.
- Remove the beta client if you need space, but do not delete the main Call of Duty installation.
- Verify that you bought the game on the storefront and account you plan to use.
The bottom line
For most US players, Modern Warfare 4 becomes playable in full at midnight as October 23 begins in their local time zone. Campaign early access does not unlock multiplayer early. PC players should treat 115 GB as the starting point, not a guarantee of the final installed size. Activision’s official PC launch guide remains the primary source for last-minute driver or requirement changes.