MW4 updates
MW4 Updates: Season 1 and Patch Notes
Every Modern Warfare 4 update and season in one place: what Activision has announced, the dates once they are official, and what changes for DMZ.
Last updated Game version: Pre-launch (official intel, October 2026)
Next up: DMZ Early Access on October 20, 2026 at 10 AM PT and the full launch on October 23, 2026. Season 1 comes after that; Activision has not announced its start date yet. We add each update here the day Activision posts it.
Coming up
| What | Date |
|---|---|
| PreloadDigital pre-orders and pre-purchases | October 15, 2026 |
| Campaign Early AccessDigital pre-orders and pre-purchases | October 16, 2026 |
| DMZ Early AccessDigital pre-orders and pre-purchases of the Standard Digital or Vault Edition | October 20, 2026 |
| Full launch (DMZ for everyone who owns the game)Everyone who owns Modern Warfare 4 | October 23, 2026 |
| Season 1 | Not announced yet |
Start times in your own time zone are on the MW4 release countdown.
MW4 Season 1: what we know
Activision has not announced the Season 1 start date. What Activision has said so far:
- The Battle Pass and BlackCell arrive with Season 1; Call of Duty Points and Tier Skips from the Vault Edition can be used once the Season 1 Battle Pass is live. (Call of Duty Blog: MW4 editions and pre-order benefits)
- The Vault Edition unlocks one season of BlackCell: Season 1 if you play before or during Season 1; buy and play later and you get the season that is current then. (Call of Duty Blog: MW4 editions and pre-order benefits)
- Hajin, the DMZ map, becomes a Battle Royale map in Call of Duty: Warzone. (Call of Duty Blog: COD NEXT highlights (August 2026))
- Zodiac, a new Resurgence map built by Beenox with a train, comes to Warzone at the same time. (Call of Duty Blog: COD NEXT highlights (August 2026))
- Warzone gets a setting to show only MW4 Operator skins in game. (@CallofDuty on X (September 24, 2026))
Hajin in Battle Royale will be the same region as in DMZ. To learn it now, use our interactive Hajin map and the list of all 13 Hajin locations.
Patch notes
Activision has not posted launch patch notes for MW4 yet. We add the DMZ changes here the day it does.
Questions
When does MW4 Season 1 start?
Activision has not announced the Season 1 start date yet. The Battle Pass and BlackCell arrive with it. The game itself launches on October 23, 2026, with DMZ Early Access from October 20, 2026 at 10 AM PT.
Is Hajin coming to Warzone?
Yes. Activision says Hajin, the DMZ map, becomes a Warzone Battle Royale map in Season 1, alongside the new Resurgence map Zodiac.
Where are the MW4 patch notes?
Activision has not posted launch patch notes for MW4 yet. We add the DMZ changes here the day it does.
Sources
- Call of Duty Blog: MW4 editions and pre-order benefits
- Call of Duty Blog: COD NEXT highlights (August 2026)
- @CallofDuty on X (September 24, 2026)
- Call of Duty Blog: Modern Warfare 4 PC trailer, specs and preload
- @CODUpdates on X: DMZ Early Access start time (October 16, 2026)
Checked against the official posts on October 12, 2026. Before launch, everything here is Activision's own description; we update the page once the game is out and details can be confirmed in play.
Continue reading
Next stepSee exactly when DMZ unlocks in your time zone.MW4 Release Date, Time and Early Access CountdownA live countdown to the MW4 and DMZ launch in your own time zone, with Early Access, PC preload and each platform.Go there Related guides
BuyingMW4 Vault Edition vs Standard: Which to BuyWhat the Vault, Digital Standard and disc editions include, who gets Early Access, the Vault upgrade and the loyalty discount.
Getting startedDMZ Beginner's Guide: FOB and First RunsHow a DMZ deployment works from infil to exfil, which FOB stations open at which level, and what happens when you die.
FAQMW4 DMZ FAQ: Free, Solo, PlatformsStraight answers on price, solo play, platforms, early access, map size and what you keep after a failed exfil.
Card pictures: Screenshot: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 © Activision (enhanced)