World of Warcraft: Forever launches globally on November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST. The game is included with an active World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time, so you do not need to buy anything to play on day one. It keeps a level cap of 60 with no expansions, and the first raid unlock is scheduled for December 9.
When does WoW Forever launch?
The launch is set for November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST. The launch is at 3:00 p.m. Pacific / 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Access comes through your normal subscription or Game Time rather than a separate purchase.
What is the level cap at release?
Forever keeps the level 1 to 60 structure and the slower, more social shape of original Azeroth. The game features a level cap of 60 without expansions. The game will keep the level 60 cap indefinitely.
What endgame is confirmed for release?
The opening raid unlock is scheduled for December 9. The December 9 wave opens three raids — Barrow Deeps (10-player), Hyjal Summit (20-player) and Onyxia's Lair. More raids and dungeons, PvP updates, world content and additional quests across the level 1–60 journey, Hardcore, and a revamped iconic raid are coming after launch. Hardcore mode is not available at launch.
What is on the road to 60?
Forever adds more than 1,000 new quests to the climb to 60. The largest addition is The Riverglades, a new zone for the mid-30s to mid-40s holding more than 150 quests and about the size of Stranglethorn Vale, sitting between Burning Steppes, Redridge, Swamp of Sorrows and the Badlands, with Powderfuse Port as its port town. Forever adds 9 new dungeons with set level ranges, from The Hall of Thanes beneath Ironforge at levels 13 to 18 to Blackmaw Hold and Shaper's Terrace at 55 to 60 and 58 to 60. Dungeons have no level scaling, and unique dungeon boss items are now blue quality. Players with an upgrade pack can start as the new Skyborne race, whose characters begin on Zephras Isle, a starting zone for levels 1 to 12.
How does the Legacy System work?
The Legacy System rewards the account: players earn Legacy Points through Legacy Challenges such as leveling a class or reaching a skill milestone, and the points are shared across all characters and spent separately on each one. Points go into 3 Legacy Trees: Professions, Adventure and Resourcefulness. At launch each character can spend up to 16 points, and up to 65 can be earned.
How do mounts work?
A mount comes with the riding skill when you train it, in the style of The Burning Crusade. Forever has no flying mounts, so ground speed carries the whole journey. If you would rather not handle the training and mount unlock yourself, an WoW Forever Mount Unlock Boost has a booster unlock the Riding skill and your racial mount at the trainer for you.
What should you plan before launch?
Agree on a ruleset with your friends, since grouping works only inside a ruleset. Early Name Reservation runs from October 27 to November 3 for players with an upgrade pack, for up to 3 characters. Plan dungeons by bracket, because each dungeon has a fixed range. The WoW Forever roadmap lays out the dates Blizzard has confirmed beyond launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to pre-order to play on November 4?
No. Forever is included with an active subscription or Game Time. The pre-purchase packs are optional perks such as the Skyborne race, beta access, cosmetics and bundled game time.
When does the beta close?
The beta access period runs September 17 through October 21 PDT.
When do Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes go out?
Codes are delivered by email beginning October 20, 2026, PST, and grant eligible invitees access from November 4 through November 11, 2026, PST.
