Launch and servers · checked 5 October 2026
Launch time, servers and names
WoW: Forever launches globally on 4 November 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PSTBlizzard. There are no realms: you pick a ruleset, and names are unique per region.
Launch countdown · 4 November, 3:00 p.m. PST
Launch time
When it starts where you are
Los Angeles (PST)
Wed 4 Nov, 15:00
New York (EST)
Wed 4 Nov, 18:00
São Paulo
Wed 4 Nov, 20:00
London (GMT)
Wed 4 Nov, 23:00
Berlin / Paris (CET)
Thu 5 Nov, 00:00
Moscow (MSK)
Thu 5 Nov, 02:00
Dubai
Thu 5 Nov, 03:00
Singapore
Thu 5 Nov, 07:00
Sydney (AEDT)
Thu 5 Nov, 10:00
Servers
Rulesets instead of realms
- Normal, PvP, Roleplaying at launch; Hardcore some time after launchBlizzard.
- Each ruleset is one broad ecosystem in your region, not a single realm. You cannot group across rulesets, and switching means a new characterBlizzard.
- On the PvP ruleset you can only create characters for one factionBlizzard.
- Oceania: Oceanic players are hosted on Oceanic data centres and share the US auction house; with overseas friends the game picks a data centre for the group, so ping may rise — from Blizzard’s 17 September live Q&ACommunity.
Names
Name reservation
- 27 October – 3 November 2026, for eligible upgrade purchases: up to three characters, first come, first servedBlizzardBlizzard.
- Two-part names (a first and a second name); the full combination must be unique within your regionBlizzard.
- The second name can be hidden on nameplates but still shows in chatBlizzard.
Before launch
Beta, wipe and early access
- Beta: 17 September to 21 October 2026 for Epic Pack owners and aboveBlizzard.
- Beta characters: carry-over not announced. Every previous WoW beta ended with a full wipe.
- Early access to the live game: not announced.
- Queues and layering at launch: not announced.
Price and editions
What you need to buy to play.
System requirements
Will your PC or Mac run it?
Launch countdown
Live timer to 4 November.
Answers
Launch and servers FAQ
What time does WoW Forever launch?
On 4 November 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST — 6:00 p.m. EST, 11:00 p.m. GMT, and in the early hours of 5 November in Europe east of the UK, Moscow and Australia (00:00 CET, 02:00 MSK, 10:00 AEDT).
Does WoW Forever have realms or servers?
No traditional realms. You choose a ruleset — Normal, PvP or Roleplaying, with Hardcore after launch — and each ruleset is one large ecosystem within your region. You cannot group across rulesets, and changing ruleset means a new character.
Will there be Oceanic or Australian servers?
Yes. At the 17 September live Q&A Blizzard said Oceanic players are hosted on Oceanic data centres and share the US auction house; grouping with overseas friends picks a data centre that suits the group, so ping can be higher.
When is WoW Forever name reservation?
27 October to 3 November 2026, for owners of an eligible upgrade pack: up to three characters, first come, first served. Names have two parts and must be unique within your region.
Will my beta character carry over to launch?
Blizzard has not announced any carry-over of beta characters. Every previous World of Warcraft beta has ended with a full wipe, so plan to start from level 1 on 4 November.
Is there early access for WoW Forever?
No early access to the live game has been announced. The editions give early name reservation (27 October – 3 November) and, in the Epic Pack and above, beta access.
Checked 5 October 2026 · Sources: What’s Next panel recap, Choose your ruleset, Create a name of your own, Pre-purchase WoW: Forever upgrades, Carried.io: Live Q&A liveblog, Midnight and Forever (17 September)
Market check · 2 October 2026
Before you buy anything for Forever
Levelling 1–60 takes about 150 hours of play by community estimates, and Blizzard has announced no WoW Token and no paid boost for Forever. These are the prices other sellers are already taking pre-orders at.
Market prices: pre-order listings on lfcarry.com, wowvendor.com, skycoach.gg, kingboost.net and others, checked 2 October 2026. Our own rates go up when realms open — no one can deliver Forever gold before 4 November.