New and returning players
Start here for the WoW Forever launch.
Launch is November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST. Check access, choose a character and agree where to play with friends.
Launch times by region
World of Warcraft: Forever opens worldwide at the same moment, , which is 23:00 UTC. Blizzard publishes the Pacific time; the rows below convert it. On your clock that is .
| Region | Local launch time |
|---|---|
| US West (PST) | November 4, 3:00 p.m. |
| US East (EST) | November 4, 6:00 p.m. |
| Brazil, São Paulo (BRT) | November 4, 8:00 p.m. |
| UK and Ireland (GMT) | November 4, 11:00 p.m. |
| Central Europe (CET) | November 5, 00:00 |
| Eastern Europe (EET) | November 5, 1:00 a.m. |
| Moscow (MSK) | November 5, 2:00 a.m. |
| Korea and Japan (KST, JST) | November 5, 8:00 a.m. |
| Australia East, Sydney (AEDT) | November 5, 10:00 a.m. |
| New Zealand (NZDT) | November 5, 12:00 p.m. |
Launch access comes with an active World of Warcraft subscription or game time. The release and access guide separates the base game from optional packs.
Name reservation starts by region
Early name reservation runs October 27 through November 3, 2026, for buyers of the Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection. You can reserve up to three characters total across all rulesets, on the WoW account the pack was bought for. A subscription alone does not include this benefit.
| Region | Reservation opens |
|---|---|
| Europe | October 27, 18:00 CET |
| North America | October 27, 1:00 p.m. PDT |
| Korea | October 28, 07:00 KST |
| Taiwan | October 28, 07:00 CST |
These are Blizzard’s separately published regional times, not conversions of one global opening. Read the official reservation announcement, checked . Names are first come, first served and cannot be guaranteed; the name generator suggests two-part combinations but cannot check availability.
Start playing WoW Forever: your first hour
Before launch and your first session
Check your access, choose a character and follow Blizzard’s published name-reservation installation steps. Addon migration and preload availability remain unverified.
Check your access and local launch time
Core launch access requires a WoW subscription or Game Time. The global opening is November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST, which is November 5 at 00:00 in Vienna (CET).
Open the regional launch tableAgree on a ruleset and faction with friends
Choose the same ruleset and faction before making characters. Normal uses consent for PvP; PvP allows world conflict in contested territory; Roleplaying is for roleplay communities. Hardcore arrives after launch. Cross-ruleset and Horde–Alliance grouping are unsupported.
Compare the rulesetsChoose your class, then check the race options
Start with the job you want in a group and the mechanics you want while questing. Check the class chooser and confirmed race options before committing to a character.
Choose by role and play stylePrepare a two-part name and a spare
Early Name Reservation runs October 27 through November 3, 2026, with a Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection purchase. You can reserve up to three characters total across all rulesets, on the WoW account the pack was bought for. Both name parts together must be unique in your region. Reservations are first come, first served; desired names are not guaranteed. A subscription alone does not include this upgrade benefit.
Check Blizzard’s reservation start times and rulesFollow Blizzard’s reservation install steps
For eligible reservation accounts, Blizzard says to update Battle.net, select World of Warcraft, choose World of Warcraft: Forever in Game Version, then select Install. Once installed, select Play, choose a ruleset and create up to three characters. These are published instructions, not a Realm First client test; preload availability and beta-to-live settings migration remain unverified.
Read the official installation instructionsEnter with a readable UI and one class guide
Suggested first-hour workflow: set movement and ability keys, adjust text and action bars, then follow your starting quests with your class guide open. Add UI changes one at a time so a failure is easier to isolate. Test addon releases against your actual client; this checklist certifies no addon combination.
Open the leveling guide and class routes
UI, addons and beta-to-live settings
Keep a note of your keybinds, UI scale and essential settings. Before an import, keep a separate backup of your own configuration and check the addon author’s Forever version and instructions. Copying a beta profile is an unverified migration path.
The earlier beta-access instructions applied to the beta, not the reservation client. Use the published reservation steps above; beta access does not establish release-client compatibility or settings migration.
Read the recorded addon restrictions and compatibility limits. Exact install folders, import behavior and individual addon support need release-client evidence.
Source record updated 2026-10-22
Reservation and installation announcement checked October 22; earlier source checks retained from October 14. Gameplay build: not-published. Automated source check; no gameplay or release-client test is claimed.
- Reservation start times, character limit and installation · full-page; checked 2026-10-22
- Beta access and installation · full-page
- Rulesets, factions and class changes · full-page
- Two-part names and reservation rules · indexed-official-page; direct fetch 403
- Optional upgrades and reservation entitlement · indexed-official-page
World of Warcraft: Forever at a glance
Blizzard lists World of Warcraft: Forever for November 4, 2026, with access through a WoW subscription or Game Time. October 21 is the last full beta day. The global launch is November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST (November 5 at 00:00 CET).
Overview updated .
Read the full overview and sources
Before you plan a character
These answers reflect the dated dossier above.
What is the fastest way to level 1–60?
Compare faction quest candidates, class leveling builds and dungeon quests. Our speed guide separates recommendations from measured results and shows where route addons still use Classic plans.
Fastest way to level 1–60 in WoW ForeverWhen can I play?
Blizzard gives November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST as the global launch (midnight CET on November 5). October 21 is the last full beta day; opt-in offers a chance to test. WoW Forever requires a WoW subscription or Game Time.
Open the Battle.net product pageWhat changes from Classic?
Blizzard has now named four new or reimagined regions, nine dungeons, two raids, revised classes and several new systems. The reference pages separate published detail from fields that remain unknown.
Visit the official websiteWhich class should I choose?
Choose by group role, questing mechanics and the extra tasks you want to manage. Our tier list ranks every spec and race by role for level-60 groups, as a forecast from Blizzard's October 15 beta notes; no level-60 logs exist yet.
Open the spec and race tier listThe quest directory lists the new WoW Forever quest guides by zone.
Before launch, compare the leveling addons and their prices, then plan your professions and dungeons and raids.
A short reading path
Prepare for name reservation and launch, then compare the class tools you want to play.
Getting Started ·
WoW Forever name reservation: open until Nov 3
Check the October 27 to November 3 window, upgrade eligibility and two-part naming rules.
Getting Started ·
WoW Forever launch checklist: what to do before November 4
Prepare account access, purchases, names and your first session.
Getting Started ·
WoW Forever system requirements: what Blizzard has published
See the current WoW specs and the missing Forever-specific hardware list.
Leveling ·
WoW Forever best leveling class: sourced tools, no speed ranking
Compare sourced class tools while keeping beta changes separate from speed claims.