World of Warcraft: Forever
Blizzard's new permanent-realms version of WoW - fresh servers that launch globally on November 4, 2026. Beta is over, name reservation runs through November 3, and access rides on a normal WoW subscription.
The one-liner: WoW Forever is Blizzard's official fresh-start version of World of Warcraft on permanent realms - not a fan server. It launches globally November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST, included with a regular WoW subscription. Early name reservation for upgrade-edition buyers runs October 27 - November 3.
How name reservation works
The reason this game is everywhere right now - the name rush is first-come, first-served.
- 1Buy any upgrade edition first
Name reservation requires purchasing one of the upgrade packs - Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack, or the Warcraft Forever Collection. The base subscription alone doesn't unlock early names.
- 2Reserve up to three names
Each edition lets you create and name up to three characters before launch - those names are locked to you on your chosen realm.
- 3Pick your realm type now
Realm rulesets are chosen at reservation. Blizzard reversed an earlier decision and confirmed an RP-PvP realm option after community pushback - check the ruleset list before committing.
- 4Window closes November 3
Reservation ends the day before launch. After that, everyone names characters at first-login on November 4 - good luck getting your main's name then.
Key dates
| Date | What happened / happens |
|---|---|
| Oct 21 | One-day open stress test - every WoW account could log in, no subscription needed |
| Oct 23 | Beta closed for good at 10:00 a.m. PDT (see the beta-end timeline) |
| Oct 27 - Nov 3 | Early name reservation + character creation - up to three characters, requires any upgrade edition |
| Nov 4 | Global launch at 3:00 p.m. PST - access included with a WoW subscription or game time |
| Nov 4 - 11 | Invite-a-Friend launch codes active - emailed to eligible players from launch day |
What you need to play
Subscription or game time
WoW Forever access is included with an active WoW subscription - no separate game purchase required to log in on day one.
Upgrade editions are optional
Skyborne Heroic, Skyborne Epic and the Warcraft Forever Collection add cosmetics, 30 days of game time and early perks - they're what unlock name reservation, not the game itself.
Everyone starts fresh
Beta and stress-test characters were test-only. On November 4 the realms open with everyone at the same starting line.
Expect login errors at peak
Mass logins are already producing disconnect codes - if you hit one, see WOW51900102 and WOW51900309 fix guides.
FAQ
Is WoW Forever free?
No - it needs an active WoW subscription or game time, same as regular WoW. There's no free tier, though the Oct 21 stress test was open to everyone.
Is it a private server?
No - it's an official Blizzard product on Blizzard's own permanent realms, not a fan-run server. It installs through the normal Battle.net app.
Can I still reserve a name?
Yes until November 3 - but only if you've bought an upgrade edition. Each account gets up to three reserved characters, first-come per realm.
Does beta progress carry over?
No. Beta and stress-test characters were wiped; everyone starts fresh at launch.