When Is Modern Warfare 4's Early Access Release For The Campaign & DMZ Modes?

Certain pre-orders get multiple bites of COD

by · Nintendo Life
Image: Activision

Modern Warfare 4's release is coming in waves for those with Early Access - with the campaign and DMZ moves arriving ahead of the multiplayer suite.

That means you can make a start on the story and dabble in the extraction mode ahead of the headline multiplayer offering on Friday, 23rd October - but only for certain preorders of the game.

This guide explains how Modern Warfare 4's Early Access works, and the dates and times of each mode available so you know when you can make a start.

How does Modern Warfare 4's Early Access work?

To access the campaign and DMZ modes ahead of the full Friday, 23rd October release, then you need to pre-order any digital edition of Modern Warfare 4. This applies to all platforms - including Nintendo Switch 2 (as a code-in-the-box release, you're not missing out much if you go physical).

As well as Early Access to modes, all digital preorders also receive the Hunter Killer Operator Skin and Inner Circuit M4 Weapon Blueprint for use in multiplayer.

Modern Warfare 4 Early Access release dates and times

Modern Warfare 4's Early Access rolls out as follows:

Campaign
Friday, 16th October
DMZ
Tuesday, 20th October
Full release (including multiplayer for all players)
Friday, 23rd October

As for the release time, the campaign is set to start at 10am PT globally, and it's likely the DMZ mode will be the same come Tuesday. Here's when in Europe and the Americas:

  • BST (UK): 6pm
  • CEST (Western Europe): 7pm
  • EDT (Eastern Americas): 1pm
  • PDT (Western Americas): 10am

Finally, if you want to play as soon as possible, then pre-loading is available now for those who have have a digital pre-order in place.

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Are you planning to take advantage of the Early Access periods for Modern Warfare 4? Let us know in the comments.

Related Games
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About Matthew Reynolds

Matthew - an award-winning UK-based writer and editor specialising in guides and service articles - joined the Nintendo Life team in May 2026.

Comments 3

As I pre-ordered the physical keycard release I will only be playing on the 23rd, that's ok, I'll be jumping into the campaign first anyway.

It's so surreal to see Nintendo-focused websites like this post about COD after more than a decade of the franchise not being available on Nintendo systems.

We really are in a different era.

@JetmanUK Boxed version isn't a Key Card, it's a code in box release.

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