WoW Forever Beta Starts September 17, 2026
WoW Forever Beta Starts September 17 - What You Need to Know
The World of Warcraft: Forever beta begins on September 17, 2026, giving players an early opportunity to explore the reimagined Azeroth before the full game launches on November 4. Beta testing will remain available through October 21.
WoW Forever is being developed as a permanent World of Warcraft experience alongside modern WoW and Classic. The level cap remains 60, but original Azeroth is being expanded with new regions, quests, dungeons, raids, and long-term progression systems.
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Use the official World of Warcraft: Forever artwork from Blizzard's announcement and beta materials.
Official Blizzard WoW Forever article and artwork
WoW Forever Beta Dates
Blizzard has confirmed the main dates for the first WoW Forever testing period:
Beta begins September 17, 2026;
Beta ends October 21, 2026;
WoW Forever launches November 4, 2026;
the first new raids unlock December 9.
The beta will be the first major opportunity for players to experience the new progression systems and changes directly before the full release.
How to Get WoW Forever Beta Access
Blizzard confirms beta access as part of the Skyborne Epic Pack and Warcraft Forever Collection. Players with either package can enter the beta when testing begins on September 17.
The Skyborne Epic Pack also includes access to the new Skyborne race and its Zephras Isle starting experience, cosmetics, and 30 days of game time beginning at launch. The Warcraft Forever Collection includes the Epic Pack content alongside additional Warcraft products.
Image After This Section
Use the official Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection image from Blizzard's pre-purchase announcement.
Official Blizzard upgrade article and images
What Can You Test in WoW Forever?
Forever preserves the level 1-60 character journey while significantly expanding original Azeroth. Blizzard has already revealed new regions, additional quests, dungeons and raids, updated itemization, professions, and the Legacy progression system. Camping, the new Skyborne race, optional visual presets, and official gamepad support are also part of the experience.
Players planning a new character for launch can also check our WoW Forever 1-60 Leveling page.
Legacy Progression
Legacy is one of the major new long-term systems in WoW Forever and is designed in part around players who enjoy leveling multiple characters. Legacy Challenges contribute to broader account progression and a dedicated reward track.
You can find more information on our Legacy Points, Legacy Challenges, and Legacy Reward Track pages.
The New Skyborne Race
Skyborne is the new playable race coming with WoW Forever and receives its own Zephras Isle starting experience. Access to the race is included with the optional Forever upgrade packs.
Players planning to develop one after launch can also explore our Skyborne 1-60 Leveling service.
New Zones, Dungeons, and Raids
Blizzard describes Forever as a permanent and continuously expanding version of original Azeroth rather than a temporary mode or season. Additional raids, dungeons, PvP updates, world content, quests, and Hardcore are planned after launch.
That means the September 17 beta represents the beginning of WoW Forever rather than the complete amount of content planned for the game over its lifetime.
Developer Q&A on September 17
Blizzard will also host a live developer Q&A on September 17. The WoW Forever portion begins at 10:30 a.m. PDT, following the modern WoW discussion, with developers answering questions about the BlizzCon announcements and what comes next for Forever.
With beta testing continuing for more than a month, the testing period should provide much more concrete information about leveling, professions, Legacy, PvP, dungeons, and other systems. We will continue updating our WoW Forever coverage as Blizzard confirms additional details.