Quick Answer
MW4 DMZ unlocked on October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. BST for every digital preorder, Standard Edition included. DMZ is part of the paid game on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Battle.net, Steam and Nintendo Switch 2; a physical preorder does not grant early access.
When does MW4 DMZ early access start?
DMZ early access starts October 20, 2026, with a scheduled simultaneous global unlock at the following times.
| Time zone | Scheduled unlock |
|---|---|
| PT | 10:00 a.m., October 20 |
| ET | 1:00 p.m., October 20 |
| BST | 6:00 p.m., October 20 |
For an “MW4 DMZ early access EST” search, use the ET entry above.
Some players reported getting in about three hours before the scheduled unlock. Others entered without changing their Battle.net region.
The full game launches October 23, 2026 worldwide on the official schedule; Steam's store page lists October 22, 2026.
Is MW4 DMZ free to play?
MW4 DMZ is part of the paid full game, so you need to buy MW4 for launch access.
These are the Steam US prices as of October 22, 2026, in USD. They are full-game edition prices, not separate DMZ purchases.
| Steam US edition | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard | $69.99 USD |
| Vault | $99.99 USD |
Digital Standard already gets DMZ early access. Vault adds extra content, not earlier entry.
Game Pass does not include MW4 at launch. The game is scheduled to join Game Pass in Holiday 2027; an online multiplayer subscription does not replace the launch purchase.
Which MW4 DMZ preorder gives early access?
Any digital edition preordered or prepurchased on a supported platform includes early access to all of DMZ.
You do not need Vault Edition. Physical copies on PS5 and Xbox Series X include the base game, but do not provide the digital-preorder early-access benefit.
Vault's DMZ Deployment Bonus adds an extra Active Duty slot and a Deployment Kit:
| Bonus | Amount |
|---|---|
| Extra Active Duty slot | 1 |
| Weapon Insurance Contracts | 2 |
| Operator Rescue Beacons | 2 |
| Fulton Drop Markers | 2 |
| Medium Backpacks | 2 |
| 2-Plate Carriers | 2 |
Campaign early access and DMZ early access have different start dates. Campaign starts October 16, 2026; DMZ starts October 20. Being able to enter Campaign does not move your DMZ unlock forward.
Is MW4 DMZ on PS5, Xbox and Steam?
DMZ digital-preorder early access covers PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Battle.net, Steam and Nintendo Switch 2.
For console online modes and social features, you also need the subscription for your platform.
| Console | Required subscription |
|---|---|
| PS5 | PlayStation Plus |
| Xbox Series X and Series S | Game Pass Essential |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo Switch Online |
How do you access MW4 DMZ?
Select the DMZ entry in the game launcher once your digital-preorder access is available.
- Have an eligible digital preorder or prepurchase on your platform.
- Install the required DMZ update before trying to enter.
- Open the launcher and select DMZ.
The game launcher has a DMZ entry you can select to enter the mode.
Shown at 01:07 in Expel’s video.The required update is scheduled for October 19, 2026. Two preload times are given for that date: 9:00 a.m. PT and 10:00 a.m. PT. Downloading it early does not let you in before the unlock.
Once inside, check your MW4 DMZ settings before playing. If the game closes or throws an error, head to MW4 DMZ crashing for the relevant next steps. For your first run, see MW4 DMZ tips.
FAQ
You need the paid MW4 game for launch access to DMZ. The listed Steam US Standard price is $69.99 USD as of October 22, 2026.
Yes. A digital preorder or prepurchase includes all of DMZ during early access, starting October 20, 2026.
On PS5, use an eligible digital preorder for early access, have PlayStation Plus for online modes, and select DMZ in the launcher after installing the required update.