WoW Forever Beta, Name Reservation, and Collector's Edition: Every Date and Pack

Updated September 14, 2026: Blizzard locked the full WoW Forever calendar: beta September 17 through October 21, name reservation October 27 through November 3, launch November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST, and a Collector's Edition with a 13 inch Dwarf and Bear statue. Details below come from the ClassicWoWForever deep-dive coverage page, which checks each entry against Blizzard's September 12 upgrade announcement, the panel recap, and the Battle.net shop listing.

By Indie Kings | September 14, 2026

Every Date on the Calendar
Beta Access and What It Includes
Name Reservation Rules
Editions and the Collector's Edition
Subscription and Game Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Bottom Line

1. Every Date on the Calendar

Per the ClassicWoWForever deep-dive page's reading of Blizzard's official recap and upgrade announcement, the roadmap runs beta beginning September 17, 2026, global launch November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST, and new raids unlocking December 9. Blizzard also lists more raids, dungeons, PvP updates, world content, level 1 to 60 quests, Hardcore, and a revamped iconic raid as planned beyond that.

Window	Dates	Source
Beta	September 17 through October 21, 2026, PST	September 12 upgrade announcement
Name reservation	October 27 through November 3	Upgrade announcement and shop listing
Launch	November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST	Panel recap roadmap
Launch week friend invites	November 4 through 11	Collector's Edition notes
New raids unlock	December 9	Panel recap roadmap

2. Beta Access and What It Includes

Beta access is included in the Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection, per the upgrade announcement. Updated September 14, 2026: per Icy Veins' report on the Destin interview, the beta starts capped at level 20 and rises to 30 after a couple of weeks, with no progress carrying to launch. Treat the beta as a systems and leveling test rather than an endgame preview: talent trees, spellbooks, and racials get rebuilt from the beta client, while the 300 skill profession milestones sit above what a level 30 character can verify.

The beta end date is the one Blizzard stated twice the same way in the purchase path: October 21, per both the upgrade announcement and the Collector's Edition digital code terms. An earlier roadmap graphic read October 22, but the purchase terms agree on October 21, so that is the date to plan around.

3. Name Reservation Rules

Early Name Reservation runs October 27 through November 3 for any upgrade purchase and allows up to three characters. Names are first come, first served and not guaranteed. Forever uses two-part names unique per region under the realmless system, so reservation week is when established guilds and returning players lock in their identities.

Reservation strategy follows directly from what the demo proved: new combinations such as Undead Paladin and Dwarf Shaman are valid, and Skyborne characters choose Horde or Alliance at creation with different class access per side. Decide faction and class before October 27, because the three character limit punishes indecision.

4. Editions and the Collector's Edition

The Collector's Edition is available for pre-purchase and includes the Warcraft Forever Collection digital code plus a 13 inch Dwarf and Bear statue, a Zephras Isle mousepad, art prints, pins, and a companion journal. The digital code includes Skyborne access, beta access from September 17 through October 21, 30 days of Game Time, and other cosmetics. Qualifying purchases also include Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes for the November 4 through 11 launch week window.

Skyborne Epic Pack: beta access plus Skyborne race access.
Warcraft Forever Collection: beta access plus the digital code bundle with 30 days of Game Time.
Collector's Edition: the Collection code plus the physical kit and launch week friend invites.
Any upgrade purchase: qualifies for the October 27 through November 3 name reservation.

5. Subscription and Game Time

Launch requires a World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time; Forever is not standalone free to play. The Epic Pack and Collection add 30 days of Game Time starting at launch, which covers the first month while the December 9 raid unlocks approach. Budget the subscription from day one rather than treating the box price as the full cost.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

When does the WoW Forever beta start and end?

September 17 through October 21, 2026, PST, per Blizzard's September 12 upgrade announcement. Access comes with the Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection.

When can I reserve my character names?

October 27 through November 3 for any upgrade purchase, up to three characters, first come first served with no guarantee.

When does WoW Forever launch?

November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST, and it requires a World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time.

What is in the Collector's Edition?

The Warcraft Forever Collection digital code plus a 13 inch Dwarf and Bear statue, Zephras Isle mousepad, art prints, pins, companion journal, and Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes for November 4 through 11.

Do I get Game Time with the upgrade packs?

Yes. The Epic Pack and Collection add 30 days of Game Time starting at launch.

When do raids unlock?

New raids unlock December 9, per the panel recap roadmap, with more raids, dungeons, PvP updates, and Hardcore planned after.

Bottom Line

The calendar removes every excuse for entering launch unprepared: five beta weeks staged from level 20 to 30, a one week name reservation for three characters, and a launch day subscription requirement with 30 days bundled in the upgrade packs. Buy the tier that matches your beta plans, lock faction and class before October 27, and treat December 9 as the real endgame start. The only number still carrying a footnote is the old October 22 roadmap graphic, and the purchase terms settle it at October 21.