The Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer beta is scheduled for two weekends in August 2026. Players can participate through early access or the subsequent open public period on Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Beta Schedule

  • Early Access: August 6–10, 2026
  • Open Beta: August 13–17, 2026

The first window is restricted to those who have pre-ordered the game or hold an active subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. The second window is open to all players.

How to Access the Beta

To participate during the early access period, you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Pre-orders: Digital pre-orders are automatically granted access. If you have pre-ordered a physical edition, you will need to obtain a beta code from your participating retailer at the point of sale.
  • Game Pass: Active subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass receive automatic access to the early window.

Note that no specific beta rewards have been announced, though pre-ordering the full game provides a Legendary Exfil Dom Character Skin and a Legendary Exfil Weapon Skin Set.

Installation Steps

Once you have secured your eligibility through a pre-order or Game Pass membership, you can prepare for the start date by installing the client:

  1. Navigate to the official Microsoft Store on your Xbox or PC.
  2. Search for the Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Beta product page.
  3. Select the install option to download the files, ensuring you are ready to play as soon as the servers go live on August 6.

Gears of War: E-Day is scheduled for full release on October 6, 2026, and will be available via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.