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Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 release date: Activision says shortly after the Oct. 23 launch, and we expect Nov. 12
Activision hasn't announced a release date for Modern Warfare 4 Season 1. As of Oct. 18, 2026, it says only that Season 1 comes shortly after the game launches on Friday, Oct. 23, and its editions page lists the start as to be announced. Expected date: around Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. PT. That's our estimate, based on the last two games, whose first seasons both started 20 days after launch: Black Ops 6 Season 1 on Nov. 14, 2024, and Black Ops 7 Season 1 on Dec. 4, 2025. Season 1 is when Warzone switches to Modern Warfare 4 content and seasonal progression and adds an Operator Skin toggle, when the Vault Edition's BlackCell with the battle pass unlocks, and when Warzone stops working on PS4 and Xbox One.
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Modern Warfare 4 comes out on Oct. 23, but its first season doesn’t have a date yet. Here’s what Activision has said, when we expect it and what changes.
When does Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 come out?
Activision hasn’t announced a date. As of Oct. 18, 2026, it says Season 1 comes shortly after Modern Warfare 4 launches on Friday, Oct. 23, and the game’s editions page lists the start of Season 1 as to be announced.
Expected date: around Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. PT. That’s our estimate, not an official date, and it’s based on how the last two games handled their first seasons. Our Modern Warfare 4 release date page covers the launch itself.
How long after launch past Season 1s started
Twenty days, both times. Black Ops 6 launched on Oct. 25, 2024, and its Season 1 went live on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at 9 a.m. PT. Black Ops 7 launched on Nov. 14, 2025, and its Season 1 went live on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at 9 a.m. PT, according to the Call of Duty blog.
Twenty days after Oct. 23 lands on Thursday, Nov. 12, which matches the Thursday morning slot Activision uses for new seasons. Activision can pick another date, and this page will switch to the official one once it’s announced.
What changes in Warzone with Season 1
Season 1 starts the Modern Warfare 4 chapter of Warzone. Activision says Warzone integrates Modern Warfare 4 content and seasonal progression from Season 1, as part of a connected experience between the two games.
It also adds an Operator Skin toggle, off by default, that replaces operators from other Call of Duty games with Modern Warfare 4 operators on your screen, while your own operator stays the same. Operators, skins and blueprints from Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 stay available, but their camos don’t carry over. Older weapons move to a Legacy tab without Gunsmith, each with a five-attachment version unlockable in the Armory.
Season 1 also ends Warzone on PS4 and Xbox One. Activision says the game will no longer be playable on those consoles starting with Season 1, after it stopped new downloads there on June 4 and removed the in-game store on June 25.
Vault Edition BlackCell and the Season 1 battle pass
The Vault Edition includes one season of BlackCell, and Activision says access begins with Season 1. Players who buy the Vault Edition and play before or during Season 1 get Season 1 BlackCell, with 20 tier skips, 1,100 COD Points, a new operator, a weapon blueprint and the full battle pass with more than 100 rewards.
Activision says BlackCell, the battle pass, COD Points and tier skips become available in Modern Warfare 4 when the Season 1 battle pass goes live in the game. Our MW4 price page compares the editions.
What happens to Black Ops 7
Black Ops 7 is still in Season 6, which launched on Sept. 17, and Activision hasn’t announced when it ends. Our Black Ops 7 Season 6 page covers what that season added.
This page is updated as soon as Activision announces the Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 release date or its roadmap.
FAQ
When does Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 come out?
Activision hasn’t announced a date. As of Oct. 18, 2026, it says Season 1 comes shortly after the game launches on Oct. 23. Our estimate is around Thursday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m. PT, based on the last two games.
Why do you expect Nov. 12?
Black Ops 6 Season 1 started on Nov. 14, 2024, 20 days after the Oct. 25 launch, and Black Ops 7 Season 1 started on Dec. 4, 2025, 20 days after the Nov. 14 launch. Twenty days after Oct. 23 is Thursday, Nov. 12. Activision hasn’t confirmed it.
What changes in Warzone with Modern Warfare 4 Season 1?
Activision says Warzone integrates Modern Warfare 4 content and seasonal progression from Season 1, and adds an Operator Skin toggle that shows only Modern Warfare 4 operators when it’s turned on. Older weapons move to a Legacy tab.
Will Warzone still work on PS4 and Xbox One?
Not after Season 1 starts. Activision says Warzone on PS4 and Xbox One will no longer be playable starting with Season 1, and existing players on those consoles can keep playing until then.
When do I get BlackCell with the Vault Edition?
With Season 1. Activision says Vault Edition access begins with Season 1, and the battle pass, tier skips and COD Points unlock when the Season 1 battle pass goes live in the game.
Do I keep my Black Ops 7 skins in Warzone?
Yes. Activision says operators, skins and blueprints from Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 stay available in Warzone from Season 1, but camos from those games don’t carry over.
Pop quiz
1 questions from this story.
How many days after launch did Black Ops 7 Season 1 start?
Black Ops 7 launched on Nov. 14, 2025, and Season 1 started on Dec. 4, 2025, 20 days later, as Black Ops 6 did in 2024.
Your call
Will you play Modern Warfare 4 Season 1?
