Meta Description:
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Early Access details are here, including beta preload times, Weekend 1 maps, file size expectations and COD Next.
Summary:
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Early Access is approaching, with the first beta preload confirmed for August 20. Here is what players need to know about COD MW4 BETA, maps, download size, COD Next and Weekend 1 content before jumping in.
COD MW4 BETA Preload and Early Access Schedule
COD MW4 BETA Weekend 1 is rapidly approaching, and the most important update is the confirmed preload schedule. Players can begin downloading the beta on August 20 at 9:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. CT / 12:00 p.m. ET.
For players planning to spend the beta grinding multiplayer challenges, additional resources such as buy COD MW4 Bot Lobbies may also be relevant depending on their preferred progression setup.
That puts the preload roughly 24 hours before COD Next and before the first beta session begins. Keeping the existing Call of Duty installation updated could also significantly reduce the download requirement.
| Item | Date / Time | Details |
| Weekend 1 Preload | Aug. 20, 9:00 a.m. PT | Multiplayer + campaign content |
| COD Next | Aug. 21 | Multiplayer showcase and announcements |
| Weekend 1 | Aug. 21–25 | 6v6-focused beta |
| Weekend 2 Preload | Aug. 26, 9:00 a.m. PT | Expanded content |
| Weekend 2 | Aug. 28 onward | Warzone + Ground War |
Important: The current Season 5 Reloaded download is not the MW4 beta. Do not mistake the roughly 30 GB seasonal preload for the upcoming beta package.
Players should also keep Black Ops 7 updated inside COD HQ. Previous Call of Duty releases have used existing files to reduce the size of new beta downloads.
Expected Beta File Size
The exact MW4 beta size has not been finalized in the provided information, but historical downloads offer a useful reference.
| Previous Beta / Setup | Updated COD HQ | Outdated / Fresh Install |
| Black Ops 6 Beta | ~29–35 GB | Up to ~66–80 GB |
| Modern Warfare 3 | ~25 GB | Up to ~80–100 GB |
| MW4 Expected | Possibly 15–30+ GB | Potentially much larger |
The safest move is simple: update COD HQ before the preload becomes available. This can prevent a massive last-minute download when the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Early Access window opens.
COD MW4 Early Access: Weekend 1 Maps and Content
COD MW4 Early Access Weekend 1 is expected to focus primarily on multiplayer, with several maps scheduled across the August 21-25 period.
The initial lineup includes Killblock, Silkworm, Rooftops, Cassette and Transit 213. Not every map or mode necessarily needs to appear on day one, as beta content is often rolled out progressively.
The Weekend 1 Map Lineup
Killblock: A compact map already shown during the public alpha and studio testing.
Silkworm: A colorful multiplayer environment with a noticeably different visual style.
Rooftops: A smaller map expected to work well with close-quarters modes.
Cassette: A medium-sized map used for the new Inflation mode.
Transit 213: A tiny, chaotic map designed for fast-paced grinding and streak-heavy matches.
Beta Note: Level caps and available playlists may change throughout the weekend. Some maps or modes could be held back until Saturday or Sunday.
Two additional experiences are expected later, including Ground War content and the Mumbai map. The second weekend will also expand beyond standard multiplayer with Warzone-related content.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Early Access: What Players Should Do
The preparation checklist is straightforward:
Update COD HQ before August 20.
Start the beta preload at 9:00 a.m. PT on August 20.
Keep enough storage available for potential additional files.
Watch COD Next for new multiplayer, campaign and progression details.
Expect Weekend 2 to introduce larger-scale experiences.
Only 17 of the reported 25 launch weapons are expected to appear during the beta. This could allow players to progress through the available weapon pool faster while leaving additional equipment for the full launch.
Platform Notes
PC players are expected to receive minimum system requirements and beta reward information in a separate pre-beta blog.
Switch 2 players have a more limited schedule. The platform is expected to join during Weekend 2, which includes Warzone and Ground War content.
The beta files may also be installed differently through COD HQ, potentially reducing some of the storage headaches seen in previous Call of Duty releases.
Final Verdict
The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Early Access rollout is built around a relatively straightforward first weekend: preload on August 20, COD Next on August 21 and a multiplayer-focused beta running through August 25. Updating COD HQ ahead of time remains the most important preparation step, while Weekend 2 should bring the larger-scale content. Players preparing for the new multiplayer experience can also explore COD MW4 Bot Lobbies.
TL;DR
The COD MW4 BETA preload begins August 20 at 9:00 a.m. PT, with Weekend 1 starting August 21. Five multiplayer maps are expected initially, while Warzone and Ground War arrive with the second weekend.
Will you jump into the beta immediately on August 21, or wait for Weekend 2 and the larger-scale modes?
