Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha release times, download size and Champion Hill mode explained
Don't be late.
Call of Duty: Vanguard is hosting a public alpha for PlayStation players.
Alongside offering the first hands-on experience for players across the globe, the alpha will be centered around the new multiplayer mode called Champion Hill. This will include a look into Vanguard's weapons and attachments in the boots of the four main characters of the story. Players will also receive exclusive rewards for taking part of it.
This page will cover the Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha release times and how to access it, as well as as download sizes and how Champion Hill works to best prepare yourself for the weekend.
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When is the Vanguard alpha? Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha release times in UK / BST, CEST, EDT and PDT explained
The Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha release date is Friday, August 27th.
The start times are as follows:
- UK: 6pm (BST)
- Europe: 7pm (CEST)
- East Coast US: 1pm (EDT)
- West Coast US: 10am (PDT)
The Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha will be available until Sunday, August 29th.
The end times are as follows:
- UK: 6pm (BST)
- Europe: 7pm (CEST)
- East Coast US: 1pm (EDT)
- West Coast US: 10am (PDT)
As per usual, be prepared for the release times to change in case there's any last minute changes or setbacks from the developer.
If you are unable to jump in this weekend, don't fret, as there will be other opportunities in the future.
An open beta is taking place on September 18th through September 20th with crossplay enabled, preceded by two early access instances.
How to access the Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha and pre-load times explained
The Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha is available for PlayStation players only (both PS4 and PS5.)
In order to gain access to it, you need to install Warzone or either Modern Warfare or Black Ops Cold War. After downloading the alpha, it'll appear on the main menu. Luckily, preloading is an option.
The Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha pre-load date is Monday, August 23rd.
You'll be able to start preloading the game at the following times:
- UK: 11pm (BST)
- Europe: Wednesday, August 24th at 12am (CEST)
- East Coast US: 6pm (EDT)
- West Coast US: 3pm (PDT)
In case you were wondering about download size, it's the same for both PS4 and PS4 (thanks to @PlaystationSize on Twitter for the datamine).
That being said, there are some slight differences depending on your region, which you can see below:
- US: 20.376 GB
- EU: 21.233 GB
- Asia: 19.961 GB
As we mentioned, the alpha will be centered around a new multiplayer mode called Champion Hill. If you'd like to know more about it ahead of the weekend, the following section should cover the basics and then some.
If you're interested in multiplayer, we have lists of the Operators and multiplayer maps, as well as the best Vanguard weapons, including the best STG44 loadout, best MP40 loadout and best Automaton loadout, best BAR loadout, best Combat Shotgun loadout, best Type 100 loadout, and best Kar98k loadouts. In other modes, we can explain the best zombies builds and best covenants.
How Champion Hill in Vanguard works
Building upon ideas seen in Modern Warfare's Gunfight mode, as well as Gunfight Tournaments and Team Deathmatch playlists like Face-Off, Champion Hill is a hybrid between them.
This multiplayer mode has a tournament-style structure where squads try and take down other squads in classic deathmatch fashion. During the alpha, squads will be either Duo (2v2) or Trio (3v3) for all players.
Essentially, all squads start out with the same loadout, but you can both upgrade your weapons or buy new ones, as well as equipment, perks and killstreaks during rounds in between the match. For this, you'll be collecting cash from defeated enemies.
Champion Hill is situated on one map split up across five sections. This includes a Buy Station Area in the centre, and four arenas for combat rounds. If you get eliminated, you'll be able to spectate the rest of the round from the Buy Station Area.
In addition to this new mode, you'll be able to modify some of the weapons with up to 10 attachments. As for operators, these will be the main characters in Vanguard: Lucas Riggs, Polina Petrova, Wade Jackson and Arthur Kingsley.
Lastly, taking part of the alpha will reward you with a calling card and an emblem, which will become available in Vanguard upon its release, as well as Warzone once both games have been integrated.
Until then, have fun during the alpha!