Call of Duty: Vanguard beta end date, download size and beta access explained

When does the Call of Duty: Vanguard beta end? Call of Duty: Vanguard beta end date on PS4, Xbox One and PC

UPDATE (September 20th): Publisher Activision has announced the Call of Duty: Vanguard beta end date is now Wednesday, September 22nd - two days later than originally planned - at the following end times:

• UK: 6pm (BST)
• Europe: 7pm (CEST)
• East Coast US: 1pm (EDT)
• West Coast US: 10am (PDT)

ORIGINAL REPORT: The Call of Duty: Vanguard beta is available across two weekends - first exclusively for PS4, the second across PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Of course, this also applies to current-gen consoles (PS5 and both Xbox Series S and Series X). The dates are as follows:

First Vanguard beta weekend dates (PS4 only):

• Friday, September 10th to Monday, September 13th: Early Access on PS4 (beta access required)

Second Vanguard beta weekend dates (PS4, Xbox One and PC):

• Thursday, September 16th to Friday, September 17th: Open Beta on PS4 (free for PS4 players), Early Access on Xbox + PC (beta access required)
• Saturday, September 18th to Monday, September 20th: Open Beta on PS4, Xbox One, PC (free for all players)

In addition, the second Vanguard beta weekend will feature crossplay between all three platforms on the corresponding dates.

When is the Vanguard beta? Call of Duty: Vanguard beta start time, end time in UK / BST, CEST, EDT and PDT explained

The Vanguard beta start times and end times for both Early Access and Open Beta periods across all platforms on both weekends are as follows.:

• UK: 6pm (BST)
• Europe: 7pm (CEST)
• East Coast US: 1pm (EDT)
• West Coast US: 10am (PDT)

Call of Duty: Vanguard beta pre-load times and download size

Alongside the above start times, you can also start downloading the Early Access Beta early to be all set and jump into the game as soon as it launches.

The Black Ops Cold War beta pre-load kicked off on Tuesday, September 7th for PS4/PS5 owners after the multiplayer reveal stream at the following start times:

• UK: 6pm (BST)
• Europe: 7pm (CEST)
• East Coast US: 1pm (EDT)
• West Coast US: 10am (PDT)

In case you were wondering about download size for the first weekend, it's the same for both PS4 and PS5 (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: 8.489 GB
• EU: 8.936 GB
• Asia: 8.346 GB
• JP: 8.235 GB

Call of Duty: Vanguard beta access explained

As it was the case during the Black Ops Cold War beta, pre-ordering any edition either digitally or through select retailers will grant you the Vanguard beta access on the Thursday and Friday before the open beta kicks off over at the weekend. PS4 has early access available on the first weekend, and Xbox One and PC on the second.

If you don't pre-order, however, you can still play the Vanguard beta - you just have to wait for the open beta dates that follow.

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.

What's featured in the Call of Duty: Vanguard beta?

The Vanguard beta is focused entirely on multiplayer, with confirmation of several modes and features that weren't available in the alpha, which focused entirely around Champion Hill. At a glance, here's what to expect:

• Traditional modes include Team Deathmatch, Domination and Kill Confirmed, alongside Champion Hill (Solos, Duos and Trios)
• New game mode called Patrol (based on Hardpoint) to be available from Saturday of Weekend 1
• Search and Destroy to be available during Weekend 2
• Five maps including Champion Hill, Hotel Royal, Gavutu, Red Star and Eagle's Nest (the latter available during Weekend 2)

• Six operators to choose from
• As for weapons, there will be three rotating weapon sets in Champion Hill, as well as a level 30 cap for all available weapons in regular multiplayer (PlayStation players get 12 loadout slots instead of 10 for other platforms)
• Lastly, a feature called Combat Pacing will allow players to choose between Tactical (6v6), Assault (20-28 players) and Blitz (28-48 players) matches

Lastly, those who take part in the beta and reach level 20 will receive a weapon blueprint for both Vanguard and Warzone (the former receiving it on release while it will arrive to Warzone once the new main map launches later in the year). Call of Duty: Mobile players will receive the Arthur Kingsley Operator shortly after the end of the beta.