Before the frontier opens, there’s a short window where the only thing you can claim is a name. From October 27 to November 3, players who bought a WoW Forever upgrade can step into character creation early and reserve the names they want to carry into the new world. Then, on November 4, the gates open for everyone.
Here’s everything Blizzard has confirmed about name reservation and launch, and the exact launch time where you live.
Name Reservation: When and Who
Blizzard calls it Early Name Reservation, and it runs from October 27 through November 3, 2026 (Pacific time). During that window you can create and customize up to three characters.
It’s included with every WoW Forever upgrade: the Skyborne Heroic Pack, the Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection. You don’t need the beta-access editions. The cheapest upgrade gets you the same three names as the most expensive one.
Names are handed out first come, first served, and Blizzard is clear that it can’t guarantee any particular name. If you have a name you’ve used for years, the first day of the window is the day to claim it.
WoW Forever Launch Time in Every Region
WoW Forever launches globally on November 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM PST. It’s one moment for the whole world, so in Europe, Asia and Australia the doors open in the early hours or the morning of November 5.
To play from launch you need an active World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time. The Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection both add 30 days of Game Time to your account from November 4. The Heroic Pack doesn’t include any.
What to Do Before November 4
The week before a launch is the calm before the storm. A little planning now means you spend launch night playing instead of reading.
- Reserve your names before November 3. Blizzard gives the window in Pacific time, so don’t leave it to the last evening.
- Settle your race and class. There are new race and class combinations, and every class has new talents and abilities. Our race and class combinations and class changes pages cover both.
- Send your Invite-A-Friend codes. The Heroic Pack includes one Launch Code and the Epic Pack three. Blizzard’s launch-week Invite-A-Friend window runs from November 4 to November 11.
- Read up on what’s new. Camping, Legacy and the leveling changes all affect your first night.
Tips & Tricks
Claim the name you care about most first. If someone got there before you, you still have two more characters to work with during the window.
Work out your local launch time now and plan the evening around it. In Central Europe it’s midnight going into Thursday, so a free Thursday morning is worth more than a free Wednesday night.
If you’re buying the Heroic Pack, remember it has no Game Time. Check your subscription before launch night so you aren’t stuck at the login screen.
Related Reading
- WoW Forever Announcement Roundup — the full reveal and headline facts
- Skyborne Elves and Beta Access: What It Costs — what each upgrade includes
- WoW Forever Realmless Servers Explained — how servers work at launch
- Every New Race and Class Combination — pick your character