WoW: The War Within: Official Release Date, Season 1 Start Date, Beta & How to Access

July 26, 2024

Calling all Azerothian adventurers! World of Warcraft: The War Within has a release date, and it’s time to gear up for a subterranean adventure.

WoW: The War Within Release Date

Mark your calendars, adventurers! World of Warcraft: The War Within is set to release on Monday, August 26, 2024. However, players who have purchased the Epic Edition of the expansion will enjoy early access starting on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

While players will be able to dive into the new expansion on these dates, the core content that many players are eagerly anticipating, including the new raid, Mythic+, and Delves, will be part of Season 1, which is set to begin on September 10, 2024.

Beta Test & How to Access

The beta test for The War Within kicked off on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024. This is your chance to explore new zones, test revamped features, and provide valuable feedback to shape the expansion’s development.

There are two ways to secure your spot in the testing phase:

  1. Pre-order the Epic Edition: This grants you immediate access to the beta, along with other bonus items.
  2. Opt-in for Beta Testing: Head to the official World of Warcraft website and sign up for a chance to be randomly selected as a beta tester.

If you’re eligible for the beta, follow these steps to join:

  1. Open the Battle.net desktop app and ensure it’s up to date.
  2. Select World of Warcraft from your favorites or the Games tab.
  3. Look for the “Game Version” dropdown menu near the play button.
  4. Choose “World of Warcraft: The War Within Beta” from the dropdown.
  5. Hit play and start your adventure!
WoW The War Within
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Choose Your Editions

World of Warcraft: The War Within comes in three exciting editions to suit your adventuring needs. The base edition provides access to the WoW Dragonflight expansion and a character boost to level 70, perfect for jumping straight into the action. For those seeking extra goodies, the Heroic and Epic Editions offer a wealth of additional content:

  • Heroic Edition:
    • Algarian Stormrider mount – Soar through the skies in style!
    • Stormrider’s Attire transmog set – Look as fierce as you fight.
  • Epic Edition (includes all Heroic Edition content):
    • The War Within beta access – Test your mettle before launch.
    • Early access – Be among the first to explore the new world (starting August 22nd).
    • 30 days of game time – Keep the adventure going.
    • Squally, the Storm Hatchling pet – A loyal companion for your journey.
    • Sandbox Storm Gryphon toy – Summon a playful sandstorm gryphon.
    • Deepdweller’s Earthen Hearthstone effect – Customize your hearthstone with an earthy flair.

This is just a taste of what awaits you in the World of Warcraft: The War Within. So, what are you waiting for? Gear up, adventurers, and prepare to descend into the uncharted depths of Azeroth!