Black Ops 6 beta start date and how to get access (2024)

The Call of Duty Black Ops 6 beta will allow players to jump into the game before launch, giving them a taste of the new weapons and Omnimovement mechanics starting today (Friday, August 30).

There are two distinct beta periods, one week apart, with different ways to access each one. If you're looking to play Black Ops 6 as early as possible, you'll need to know the details on the Early Access weekend, before the game is opened up to more players the following weekend.

From what we've seen of Black Ops 6 so far, it's certainly got a great chance of ending up on our best FPS games list by the end of the year, with a globe-trotting campaign, a new set of movement skills, and new Warzone integration. The upcoming beta is the best way to find out how the game feels, and whether or not you'll be diving in fully when launch comes around.

Here's everything you need to know about the Black Ops 6 beta start date, including how to get Early Access, and when the open beta goes live. As we approach launch day, we'll update the page with the latest comms from developer Treyarch.

Black Ops 6 beta start date

The Black Ops 6 beta goes live on August 30 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST. This is the early access period, the first of two weekends that'll allow players to jump into the game early. You'll find the full schedule below:

• Early Access (Weekend One): August 30 - September 4
• Open Beta (Weekend Two): September 6 - September 9

Black Ops 6 Early Access - how to get in

To get into the Black Ops 6 Early Access beta weekend, you'll need to have pre-ordered the game, or be an Xbox Game Pass subscriber (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console).

You can often find cheap Game Pass deals, so that's what we'd recommend if you're unsure about pre-ordering Black Ops 6 just yet. Note that the Early Access beta ends on Wednesday, September 4 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST.

Black Ops 6 open beta

The Black Ops 6 open beta weekend runs from September 6 - September 9. It'll go live at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST on the Friday, and then end at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST on the Monday. You'll be able to download the beta from the PlayStation, Xbox, and Battle.net storefronts.

Black Ops 6 beta maps

There are eight maps available as part of the Black Ops 6 beta. These include the following:

• Skyline (Core)
• Rewind (Core)
• Scud (Core)
• Babylon (Core)
• Derelict (Core)
• Stakeout (Core)
• Gala (Strike)
• Pit (Strike)

Weekend One will launch with three maps, before an additional three maps are added over the weekend. Then, two more maps will follow as part of Weekend Two.

What to expect from the Black Ops 6 beta

The Black Ops 6 beta will include 8 maps to play across. Including Skyline, Rewind, Scud, Babylon, Derelict, Stakeout, Gala and Pit. Confirmed modes include Kill Order, Team Deathmatch, Domination and Hardpoint. Weekend One will begin with three maps and four modes, before more are added throughout the weekend. Players will be able to reach level 20, before the cap is raised for the second weekend.

Weekend Two will then introduce two more maps, plus the Gunfight game mode and Face Off Kill Order. The level cap will be increased to 30 at this point, giving players the chance to earn additional rewards and unlock able items.

Black Ops 6 beta Custom Loadouts

You'll be able to use Custom Loadouts during the Black Ops 6 beta, though you'll need to unlock them first. To do so, you'll need to reach level 4. We recommend jumping in and trying out some of the preset loadouts to get a feel for the new weapons. After that, you can experiment with your own builds, and find what works best for you.

Be aware that if you pre-ordered the Vault Edition, you won't be able to use your exclusive guns until you unlock Custom Loadouts.

Black Ops 6 beta FAQ

Can you preload the Black Ops 6 beta?

You can preload the Black Ops 6 beta now. This works whether you're jumping into the Early Access weekend, or the open beta the week after. Just search for it in your respective store, and free up enough space (for estimated download sizes, head to the Call of Duty website). We managed to find the COD Black Ops beta content in the Xbox Store using the search function. Note that you'll need to download the main COD HQ package as part of this, if you don't already have it.

What is the Black Ops 6 beta Vault Edition bonus?

If you pre-ordered the Black Ops 6 Vault Edition, you'll be able to use some of your bonuses during the beta. Expect to play as any of the four Operators from the Hunter vs Hunted Operator Pack. These include Park, Adler, Brutus, and Klaus. You'll also get to try five weapons from the Mastercraft Weapon Collection.

Is the Black Ops 6 Beta on Game Pass?

The Black Ops 6 beta will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting August 30 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST. Just log into your Xbox or PC subscription and it'll appear in your collection. Game Pass Subscribers can access both beta weekends at no extra cost.

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