Release date for Black Ops 7 beta early access and how to play Zombies and Multiplayer first

The beta for Black Ops 7 is fast approaching, offering dedicated fans an early glimpse into the latest instalment of the franchise.

Call of Duty finds itself in a peculiar position at present, with many players being lured away by the Battlefield 6 betas and voicing their discontent with the direction the leading shooter franchise has taken. This has led to a commitment to more realistic in-game skins. The game's launch will be a telling sign of the future power dynamics between these two rival shooter franchises – could Battlefield officially take the lead?

Fortunately for those eager to see how this tussle concludes, we'll have the opportunity to sneak a peek at Black Ops 7 before its official release. For the first time in the franchise's history, there's a chance to play Zombies during a beta. We'll get to try out both the round-based blitz and the multiplayer experience of the game, testing some of its new weapons and exploring its new maps.

It's a thrilling time for fans of the franchise, and it's just around the corner – so when exactly can we dive in? Here's what you need to know about the Black Ops 7 beta early access start time.

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Black Ops 7 beta early access start time

The Black Ops 7 beta early access is set to kick off at 5pm UTC on Thursday, October 2, according to a recent Call of Duty blog post. If you've managed to secure early access through pre-ordering the game, having an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription or snagging a Call of Duty Next Twitch drop, you'll be able to dive in at this time.

This will seamlessly transition into the open beta which begins at 5pm UTC on Sunday, October 5.

Here's when the Black Ops 7 beta early access starts in your region:

Thursday, October 2

• 10am PDT
• 1pm EDT
• 5pm UTC
• 6pm BST
• 7pm CEST
• 8pm EEST

Friday, October 3

• 1am AWST
• 2am JST
• 3am AEST

No matter which version of the beta you're part of, it will wrap up for you at 5pm UTC on Wednesday, October 8. There's not much time to immerse yourself in the action, so make every moment count and soak up the atmosphere. If this beta is even half as successful as Battlefield 6's, then we're in for a cracking time.