World of Warcraft: Forever launches on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 3 p.m. Pacific (6 p.m. Eastern). It’s Blizzard’s new third version of WoW, next to modern WoW and Classic: the original level 1-60 world, rebuilt with a new race, over 1,000 new quests and 9 new dungeons. It’s included with a regular WoW subscription or Game Time. The new Skyborne race costs extra, starting with the $29.99 Skyborne Heroic Pack.
Updated November 1, 2026 · Launch time, editions and roadmap from Blizzard
When does WoW Forever launch in my time zone?
Blizzard is launching it worldwide at the same moment, 3 p.m. PST on November 4:
| Time zone | WoW Forever goes live |
|---|---|
| Pacific (PT) | Wed, Nov 4, 3:00 p.m. |
| Mountain (MT) | Wed, Nov 4, 4:00 p.m. |
| Central (CT) | Wed, Nov 4, 5:00 p.m. |
| Eastern (ET) | Wed, Nov 4, 6:00 p.m. |
| UK (GMT) | Wed, Nov 4, 11:00 p.m. |
| Central Europe (CET) | Thu, Nov 5, midnight |
| Sydney (AEDT) | Thu, Nov 5, 10:00 a.m. |
Early name reservation and character creation opened on October 27, so if you already made your character, you can log straight in at launch.
What is WoW Forever?
Think of it as the “Classic+” that players asked Blizzard for. It keeps the original Azeroth and its level 60 cap, then adds new zones, quests, dungeons and raids on top. The story is set after Warcraft III: Reforged’s Forsaken Kingdom campaign and before Molten Core, and Blizzard has said it runs on its own timeline, separate from modern WoW. It’s a permanent game, not a limited-time season, and it gets its own updates from here on.
What’s new in WoW Forever?
- A new race, the Skyborne: high elf exiles who can join either the Alliance or the Horde, with their own starting zone, Zephras Isle.
- New race and class combos: Forsaken Paladins and Dwarf Shamans are in.
- New zones: the Riverlands and Mount Hyjal, plus new areas inside old zones.
- Over 1,000 new quests and 9 new dungeons.
- Revamped talent trees for every class.
- The Legacy System: account-wide rewards for progress across all your characters.
- A visual upgrade: new lighting, volumetric fog, flowing water and terrain shadows, with the classic look kept intact.
How much does WoW Forever cost?
The game itself is included with a World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time, the same one that covers modern WoW and Classic. The Skyborne race is the catch: you only get it with one of the paid packs.
| Edition | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Base game | Included | Everything except the Skyborne race, with your WoW subscription or Game Time |
| Skyborne Heroic Pack | $29.99 | Skyborne race and Zephras Isle, Cerulean Prideclaw mount, cosmetics, housing decor, early name reservation, 1 Invite-A-Friend code |
| Skyborne Epic Pack | $59.99 | Heroic Pack, plus 30 days of Game Time, extra cosmetics, pets, tabards and 3 Invite-A-Friend codes |
| Warcraft Forever Collection | $79.99 | Epic Pack, plus Warcraft III: Reforged, the Forsaken Kingdom campaign and housing decor for modern WoW (limited time) |
| Collector’s Edition | Not listed | Physical box from the Blizzard Gear Store, while supplies last |
Putting a new race behind a $29.99 pack upset a lot of fans when Blizzard announced it. If you don’t care about playing a Skyborne, you don’t need any pack. If you do and you’re not subscribed yet, the $59.99 Epic Pack makes the most sense, since its 30 days of Game Time cover your first month.
WoW Forever roadmap: raids, Hardcore and 2027
| When | What’s coming |
|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2026 | Launch |
| Dec 9, 2026 | First raids open: Barrow Deeps (10 players), Hyjal Summit (20 players) and Onyxia’s Lair (40 players) |
| Winter | WoW Forever Hardcore launches |
| Spring 2027 | 2 new raids, 2 new dungeons, new quests and a new playable area, a legendary questline, a PvP season refresh |
| Summer 2027 | A revamped iconic raid, a new raid, expanded world content, 2 new dungeons, a PvP season refresh, professions and Legacy updates |
The five weeks before raids open are your leveling window. Most players will want to hit 60 and gear up through the new dungeons before December 9.
Should you play WoW Forever?
- Already subscribed? Just log in on November 4. It costs you nothing extra.
- Love Classic but finished it years ago? This is the new content you’ve been waiting for: same world, new places to go.
- Prefer modern WoW’s flying and fast leveling? Forever is a slower, old-school game, so try it on your existing sub before buying any pack.
We haven’t played it yet, so this guide sticks to what Blizzard has announced. We’ll add launch-week impressions once players are in.
WoW Forever FAQ
Is WoW Forever free?
No, but it doesn’t cost extra if you already pay for WoW. It’s included with a World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time.
Is WoW Forever the same as WoW Classic?
No. Classic recreates the original 2004-era game. Forever starts from that world but adds new zones, quests, dungeons, raids and a new race, and it will keep getting new content.
Will WoW Forever have Hardcore servers?
Yes. Blizzard’s roadmap lists WoW Forever Hardcore for this winter, after the December 9 raid update.
Can I play WoW Forever on console?
No. It’s on PC through Battle.net, like the rest of World of Warcraft.
Want something for your desk too? Starforged just released officially licensed WoW race badges ($22.01, or all 10 for $187) and a Deathwing incense censer: Starforged’s new World of Warcraft collectibles.
Read next: The Best Video Games of 2026 · Phantom Blade Zero Reviews and Launch
Sources: launch time, editions and contents from Blizzard’s “Carve a New Path with World of Warcraft: Forever” announcement; prices from Blizzard’s shop as reported by wow.gg and Icy Veins; new zones, dungeon count and features from Blizzard’s BlizzCon 2026 reveal via Warcraft Tavern and Shacknews; roadmap from Blizzard’s official 2026-2027 roadmap image. Images: Blizzard Entertainment.
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