Guide · October 23, 2026

What Is WoW Forever? Release, Price, Features and FAQ

World of Warcraft: Forever is a permanent version of WoW set in a reimagined original Azeroth, launching globally on November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific. It sits alongside modern WoW and WoW Classic, covers levels 1 to 60, and adds new zones, quests, dungeons and a new playable race, the Skyborne. It is included with a WoW subscription or Game Time, with optional paid packs. This page answers the questions people search most, and points to our detailed guides.

Quick answer: WoW Forever is a Classic-style WoW with new content, set after the Forsaken Kingdom campaign and before Molten Core. It launches November 4, 2026, caps at level 60 and needs a WoW subscription or Game Time. The Skyborne race, nine new dungeons and over 1,000 new quests are the headline additions.

WoW Forever at a glance — Confirmed facts from Blizzard's announcement and Blizzard's roadmap as summarized by community sites. Prices are not published.

What it is

Blizzard describes Forever as a new permanent home for WoW alongside the modern game and WoW Classic, set in a "reimagined original Azeroth." It is not a seasonal mode and it does not replace Classic. The story takes place after Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom and before the Molten Core era, which means the first year of WoW, a few years after the Third War. If you want the story context, read our lore primer and three wars recap. For a direct comparison with Classic, see 12 differences that matter.

Release date and beta

Beta: began September 17, 2026, with access included in the Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection. Beta progress will not carry over to release, according to a report from ITWire.
Launch: November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific, globally. Blizzard's announcement writes the zone as both PDT and PST, so check your own time zone with the launch checklist.
Later content: the Warcraft Wiki summarizes Blizzard's roadmap as raids from December 9 and Hardcore in winter 2026 to 2027. Sources disagree on the raid count at launch (two in some, three in others), so treat that as unsettled.

Price and editions

Blizzard says access is included with a WoW Subscription or Game Time, and optional upgrade editions are sold on the Battle.net Shop. Blizzard lists no prices in the announcement we read, and Icy Veins says no extra purchase is required. A Battle.net account is needed.

Skyborne Heroic Pack: the Skyborne race and Zephras Isle start, early name reservation, a ground mount and cosmetics.
Skyborne Epic Pack: everything in Heroic plus beta access, 30 days of Game Time from November 4 and more extras.
Warcraft Forever Collection: a limited-time bundle that adds Warcraft III: Reforged and the Forsaken Kingdom campaign.
Collector's Edition: a physical edition from the Blizzard Gear Store.

Full details are in the editions guide.

What is new

Skyborne: a new race for both factions, with the Zephras Isle starting experience. See the Skyborne guide and Zephras Isle guide.
Content: more than 1,000 new quests and nine new dungeons, starting with the Hall of Thanes and the Ruins of Lordaeron. The dungeons overview lists all nine.
Systems: the Legacy system, camping and expanded professions.
Options: HD or SD models, Classic or updated visuals, and gamepad support, covered in the graphics guide.
Race and class changes: new combinations are listed in the race and class guide.

Rulesets and realms

Forever is realmless. Players choose a ruleset, Normal, PvP or Roleplaying, with Hardcore planned after launch, and cannot group across rulesets. Alliance and Horde stay separate. See rulesets explained.

What we do not know yet

Price: Blizzard has published no figures for upgrade packs in the pages we read, and no WoW Token has been shown for Forever.
Platforms: the Warcraft Wiki says Windows and macOS, but Blizzard's announcement and other sources we read do not list platforms.
Group tools: reports say there is no modern dungeon finder. See tanks and healers explained.

How to get started

Read the beginner's guide.
Choose a class with the beginner class comparison.
Follow the first 10 levels checklist and the leveling guide.

The free Lore Forever add-on adds readable background about the places you visit, and the optional Willo Windows companion lets you ask lore questions by voice. Both are fan-made.

Frequently asked questions

What is WoW Forever?

A permanent, Classic-style version of World of Warcraft with new content, set in a reimagined original Azeroth and capped at level 60.

When does WoW Forever release?

November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific, globally.

Is WoW Forever free?

No. It is included with a WoW subscription or Game Time. Optional packs are sold separately.

Is WoW Forever the same as WoW Classic?

No. It is a separate version that keeps the original feel but adds new zones, dungeons, a new race and systems. It runs alongside Classic and modern WoW.

Do I need to buy the Skyborne pack?

Only if you want to play a Skyborne. Blizzard says the optional packs unlock the Skyborne race and the Zephras Isle start, and Icy Veins says no extra purchase is required to play.

Sources

Reviewed October 23, 2026. Based on Blizzard's announcement and community summaries; prices, platforms and raid plans may change. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.