> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.2ndshift.gg/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # WoW Forever Release Time, Preload, Size and Specs - URL: https://www.2ndshift.gg/wow-forever-release-time-preload/ - Published: 2026-10-28T15:32:50.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-28T15:32:50.000Z - Description: WoW Forever launches Nov 4 at 3 PM PST (5 PM CT). How to preload, name reservations, price, editions, and what's still not announced. - Author: CJ Davis - Tags: World of Warcraft, Guides, Gaming *Last updated: October 28, 2026, 10:45 AM CT* **World of Warcraft: Forever** launches globally on **Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM PST**. That's 5:00 PM CT, 6:00 PM ET and 11:00 PM in the UK. Everyone gets in at the same moment. It comes free with an active WoW subscription or game time, and you install it now from the Battle.net app under the Game Version menu. Blizzard hasn't published a download size or new PC specs yet. ## At a glance - **Launch:** November 4, 2026, 3:00 PM PST (23:00 UTC), global. *Confirmed* - **Early name reservation:** October 27 to November 3 for upgrade-pack buyers, up to 3 characters. *Confirmed* - **Cost:** Included with an active WoW subscription or game time. Optional upgrade packs unlock the new Skyborne race and cosmetics. *Confirmed* - **Install / preload:** Battle.net app → World of Warcraft → Game Version → World of Warcraft: Forever → Install. *Confirmed* - **Early access:** None. Character creation is open early only for name reservation. *Confirmed* - **Download size:** *Not announced yet* - **PC system requirements for Forever:** *Not announced yet* - **Raids unlock:** December 9 (Hyjal Summit, Barrow Deeps, Onyxia's Lair). *Confirmed* ## What time does WoW Forever launch? Blizzard's official time is **3:00 PM PST on November 4, 2026**. That's 23:00 UTC. US clocks fall back on November 1 and Europe's already have, so here's what that is in standard time (our conversions): - **Pacific (PST):** 3:00 PM, Nov 4 - **Mountain (MST):** 4:00 PM, Nov 4 - **Central (CST):** 5:00 PM, Nov 4 - **Eastern (EST):** 6:00 PM, Nov 4 - **UK (GMT):** 11:00 PM, Nov 4 - **Central Europe (CET):** 12:00 AM, Nov 5 - **Korea (KST):** 8:00 AM, Nov 5 - **Sydney (AEDT):** 10:00 AM, Nov 5 There's no early-access head start. Upgrade-pack owners can only create characters ahead of time to lock in names. ## How to preload (pre-install) WoW Forever Forever runs on its own live client, separate from the beta client. Blizzard's steps: 1. Update your graphics drivers. 2. Install or open the Battle.net desktop app and let it update. 3. Select World of Warcraft. 4. In the **Game Version** menu above Play, pick **World of Warcraft: Forever**, then click **Install**. Blizzard hasn't listed a file size yet. Install early so you aren't downloading at 3 PM PST along with everyone else. ## WoW Forever name reservation: how it works - **When:** Opened October 27 (1:00 PM PDT / 18:00 CET; 07:00 Oct 28 in Korea and Taiwan) and runs through November 3. - **Who:** Anyone who pre-purchased the Skyborne Heroic Pack, the Skyborne Epic Pack, the limited-time Warcraft Forever Collection or the Collector's Edition. Beta access alone doesn't count. - **How many:** Up to 3 characters in total across all Rulesets (PvP, Normal, Role-Play). - **Names are region-wide:** Forever has no realms, so every name is unique across your whole region. Characters get a first and a second name. Names go first come, first served. ## Is WoW Forever free? Price and editions The base game comes with an active WoW subscription or game time at no extra cost. Optional upgrades: - **Skyborne Heroic Pack:** price not in the sources we checked - **Skyborne Epic Pack:** $60 - **Warcraft Forever Collection:** $80 (limited time) - **Collector's Edition (physical):** $150 Upgrades unlock the Skyborne race and exclusive cosmetics. They also give early name reservation, which only applies to the WoW account you bought them for. ## Platforms and PC specs Forever installs through the Battle.net app, and Blizzard has confirmed official gamepad support. Blizzard hasn't published separate system requirements for Forever. It adds real-time shadows, volumetric effects and a new water renderer, so it may ask more of your PC than Classic. We'll add a specs table when Blizzard posts one. ## What's in WoW Forever at launch - A level 1–60 world with the cap locked at 60, plus 1,000+ new quests - New race: the **Skyborne**, who start on Zephras Isle (levels 1–12) - New zones: Zephras Isle, Mount Hyjal, Riverglades and Shen'dralas, plus the 15v15 Darkspear Islands battleground - Nine new dungeons, including Hall of Thanes, Ruins of Lordaeron and the City of Dalaran - HD/SD character model toggle, Modern and Classic visual presets, opt-in transmog and camping - Raids open **December 9**. Hardcore comes later, with no date yet. **Having problems on launch day?** If login queues, errors or crashes hit on November 4, we'll post fixes on this page. You can also ask the night crew in the [2nd Shift Discord](https://discord.gg/SbzeqKvGVA?ref=2ndshift.gg). For everything else coming out this month, see our [November 2026 release guide](https://www.2ndshift.gg/november-2026-game-releases/) and the [upcoming games calendar](https://www.2ndshift.gg/upcoming-games-release-dates/). ## FAQ ### What time does WoW Forever release? November 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM PST (23:00 UTC). That's 5 PM CT, 6 PM ET, 11 PM UK and midnight CET. ### Can I preload WoW Forever? Yes. In the Battle.net app, pick World of Warcraft, choose World of Warcraft: Forever from the Game Version menu and click Install. It's a separate client from the beta. ### Do I need to buy WoW Forever? No. It comes with an active WoW subscription or game time. Paid upgrade packs add the Skyborne race, cosmetics and early name reservation. ### How big is the WoW Forever download? Blizzard hasn't announced a download size yet. We'll update this page when it does. ### Does WoW Forever have realms? No. Forever has no realms, so character names are unique across your whole region. You choose a Ruleset (PvP, Normal or Role-Play) instead. **Sources:** [Blizzard (What's Next panel recap)](https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24303862/world-of-warcraft-forever-whats-next-panel-recap?ref=2ndshift.gg), [Blizzard News (name reservations)](https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24303866/claim-your-world-of-warcraft-forever-character-names?ref=2ndshift.gg), [Blizzard Watch](https://blizzardwatch.com/2026/10/27/early-name-reservation-wow-forever/?ref=2ndshift.gg), [TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/113832-world-warcraft-forever-launches-november-4-new-race.html?ref=2ndshift.gg), [TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/good-news-for-world-of-warcraft-forever-players-blizzard-has-extended-the-beta-and-is-opening-wow-name-reservations-ahead-of-the-games-november-launch?ref=2ndshift.gg).