WoW Forever release date, beta and talents
Until the World of Warcraft: Forever beta
EstimatedThu, Sep 17, 2026 · 8:00 AM ~ 11:00 AMBeta starts
No start time announced yet. This window is estimated from the announced dates and Blizzard's usual rollout hours; the countdown points at the earliest moment in it. It updates as soon as Blizzard says more.
Launch: Wed, Nov 4, 2026 · 3:00 PM
KEY FACTS
Forever at a glance
Based on the BlizzCon 2026 reveal (Sept 12, 2026)
Beta starts
Sept 17, 2026
Pre-purchase grants access
Launch
Nov 4, 2026
3 PM Pacific · worldwide at once
Level cap
60
Stays there — no expansion squish
New content
3 zones · 9 dungeons · 2 raids
Over 1,000 new quests
New race
Skyborne
Starts on the Isle of Zephras
How to play
Subscription
Included with your WoW sub
FAQ
WoW Forever — frequently asked questions
As of 2026-09-16 · pre-release, subject to change
When does WoW Forever come out?
World of Warcraft: Forever opens everywhere at the same moment: November 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM Pacific. That is 6:00 PM Eastern on November 4, 11:00 PM in the UK, midnight on November 5 in central Europe, and 8:00 AM on November 5 in Korea.
Source: BlizzCon 2026 reveal · Blizzard's official trailer description
When does the WoW Forever beta start?
The beta starts on September 17, 2026 (September 18 in Korea). Blizzard has not announced a start time. For both announced dates to hold at once it cannot begin before 15:00 UTC, and given Blizzard's usual rollout window the likeliest start is the morning of September 17 in North America — early evening in Europe, after midnight on the 18th in Korea. Pre-purchasing the Skyborne Heroic pack or the Warcraft Forever Collection grants beta access.
Source: Blizzard's official Korean YouTube trailer description
Do I have to buy WoW Forever separately? Is there a subscription?
Forever is included with an existing World of Warcraft subscription — if you are subscribed, you can play it. Optional digital upgrade bundles with extra cosmetics and content are sold separately.
Source: BlizzCon 2026 reveal
What is the level cap in WoW Forever?
The cap is level 60 and stays there. Instead of raising it with expansions, Blizzard plans to keep adding zones, stories, abilities, gear and systems at 60.
Source: BlizzCon 2026 reveal
Which new race and class combinations does WoW Forever add?
The new Skyborne race can play Warrior, Hunter, Rogue and Druid, plus Mage on the Alliance (High Order) and Shaman on the Horde (Windshaper). Existing races gain Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Gnome Priest, Orc Mage, Undead Paladin and Troll Warlock.
See every race and class combination →Skyborne (Horde) →Undead Paladin →
Source: BlizzCon 2026 reveal
Are WoW Forever talents different from Classic?
The shape is the same — three trees and 51 points per class — but the contents changed a lot. In the pre-release data, 144 of the 470 talents are brand new, and about 200 of those carried over from Classic had their effects changed. You can try each class in the talent calculator.
Warrior talent calculator →Mage talent calculator →
Source: Pre-release talents from the BlizzCon 2026 demo
How did racials change in WoW Forever?
Every race was reworked to have two active and two passive racials. The old +10 resistance racials are gone, and weapon specialisations now increase the critical strike chance of your spells and abilities while that weapon is equipped.
Source: BlizzCon 2026 reveal
What new content is in WoW Forever?
Three new zones, over 1,000 quests, nine dungeons and two raids. It expands parts of Classic Azeroth that were left thin and tells a new story running alongside the original story.
Source: BlizzCon 2026 reveal