Home › Roadmap
WoW Forever roadmap: beta, launch, raids and future updates
This timeline separates announced dates from planned content. WoW Forever is still in beta, so use the Updates page for talent snapshots and the official Blizzard announcements for schedule changes.
Roadmap at a glance
| Phase | Date | Milestone | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta | 17 September 2026 | Beta begins | Live / beta | The beta starts at a lower level cap and is expected to expand during testing. Progress is not a launch promise. |
| Pre-launch | October 2026 | Beta window | Date subject to official notice | Public references have differed on the final beta day. Check Blizzard access information before treating an end date as fixed. |
| Pre-launch | 27 October 2026 | Name reservation and character creation | Announced | Prepare your class, race and character names before launch-day traffic. |
| Launch | 4 November 2026 · 3:00 p.m. PST | World of Warcraft: Forever launches | Announced | The level-60 journey begins globally. |
| Post-launch | 9 December 2026 | First raid unlocks | Announced | Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia's Lair are scheduled to open. |
| Later | Winter 2026/27 | Hardcore | Planned / timing subject to change | A Hardcore ruleset is planned after launch; details can change. |
| Later | 2027 | More raids, dungeons, PvP, quests and world content | Planned / dates TBA | The official roadmap describes future expansion but does not provide final dates for every item. |
Beta: what to test now
The beta is for testing the level-1-to-60 systems, including talent trees, classes, professions, Legacy and Camping. Talent values and positions can change between snapshots, so a beta build is a test version rather than a final promise.
- Try the class guide and compare more than one role before committing to a main.
- Save share links and use the compare tool when a new snapshot changes your route.
- Report incorrect talent values with the snapshot ID, class, talent name and a screenshot through the contact page.
- Use the Sources page to confirm which beta snapshot powers the calculator.
Name reservation and launch preparation
The current roadmap lists 27 October for name reservation and early character creation. Before that date, decide your class, shortlist your race, save a leveling build and choose a profession plan. The racial guide, professions guide and questing guide cover those decisions without requiring you to wait for launch night.
Launch: 4 November 2026
Blizzard has announced a global launch on 4 November 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Prepare for queues and changing information: keep your first build flexible, do not buy a full profession stockpile before recipes settle, and expect the beta data to be replaced by launch data.
Use the starter builds for a sensible first route, then use the calculator to adjust points as you learn how your class feels.
First raids: 9 December 2026
Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia's Lair are announced for 9 December 2026. That gives players time to level, learn their class, run dungeons and prepare consumables. It does not mean every raid detail or balance value is final today.
Start with the dungeons and raids guide, review class changes, and use the professions guide when you plan food, potions and other supplies.
After launch: what is planned?
The official roadmap describes more raids, dungeons, PvP updates, quests, world content, Hardcore and a revamped iconic raid after launch. The exact order and dates for most of that content remain subject to change, so this page labels them as planned rather than guaranteed release dates.
WoW Forever roadmap FAQs
When does WoW Forever launch?
Blizzard has announced a global launch on 4 November 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Convert that time locally before planning your launch session.
When does the WoW Forever beta end?
The beta is scheduled during October, but public references have shown different final days. Check Blizzard's current beta access notice rather than relying on a static date.
Does WoW Forever beta progress carry to launch?
Beta characters and testing progress should not be treated as launch progress. Use the beta to test builds, report errors and learn systems rather than assuming your character will carry over.
When do the first WoW Forever raids unlock?
Blizzard's current roadmap announces Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia's Lair for 9 December 2026. Raid tuning and later content timing can change.
When should I finish my talent build?
Test your leveling build during beta, review it after every talent snapshot, and have a level-60 draft ready before the first raid unlock. Recheck it in the live data instead of assuming the beta version is final.
Read Blizzard's official roadmap announcement for schedule changes. This site is an independent fan guide and dates can move.
Last reviewed: 21 September 2026. World of Warcraft names, icons and artwork belong to Blizzard Entertainment.