It’s officially go-time for Call of Duty fans: the Black Ops 7 beta is locked and loaded for early October, giving us all a hands-on preview just weeks before the game’s full launch. And yes, the countdown has begun.
Activision has confirmed the Black Ops 7 beta dates and times, and — in classic Call of Duty fashion — we’re getting two full phases: an Early Access window for pre-order holders and Game Pass subscribers, followed immediately by an Open Beta that tosses everyone else into the firefight.
Black Ops 7 Beta Schedule: When It Starts and Ends
If you’re itching to test out what Treyarch has been cooking, here’s the two-part beta schedule you’ll want to pin to your wall (or phone, let’s be real):
Early Access Beta
- Start: Thursday, October 2 @ 10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST
- End: Sunday, October 5 @ 10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST (rolls directly into Open Beta)
Open Beta
- Start: Sunday, October 5 @ 10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST
- End: Wednesday, October 8 @ 10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST
The Early Access period is only available for those who pre-order Black Ops 7 or have specific Game Pass subscription types that include beta access. But come October 5, it’s open season.
What’s In The Beta?
Ok, so what will we actually play? While Activision hasn’t dropped full details yet about what modes, maps, or weapons will be available in the beta, we can safely bet it’ll involve:
- Several of the 16 confirmed 6v6 multiplayer maps
- One or two of the 20v20 large-scale maps
- A first trial of the brand new Omnimovement system, bringing smoother, more dynamic traversal
Honestly, if the new movement mechanics are as good as teased, we’re in for a serious paradigm shift in how COD feels.
When Does the Black Ops 7 Beta End?
The current plan has the beta wrapping up on Wednesday, October 8 at exactly 10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST. But — and this has become something of a trend — it’s always possible Activision decides to extend things slightly. We’ve seen similar betas, like Battlefield 6, hold the line … and then suddenly give us an extra four hours or more.
So keep your notifications on and don’t uninstall just yet if it suddenly stretches out.
How to Get Into The Black Ops 7 Beta
Want to make sure you’re locked in? You’ll need to either:
- Pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
- Or have a Game Pass subscription that includes early beta access
Time to Load Up
We’re just weeks away from jumping head-first into some real Black Ops 7 gameplay, and if these beta periods are anything like past titles, they’ll offer a meatier slice of the final experience than you’d expect. Whether you’re testing out new maps, cracking into the revamped movement system, or just want to soak up that slick Treyarch polish, these betas are the ultimate preview opportunity.
Get ready to drop into Black Ops 7 soon. October can’t come fast enough.