WARDOGS Beta Start & End Time in Your Time Zone + How to Play
The WARDOGS closed beta is the first public test of BULKHEAD's 100-player tactical FPS - every previous playtest was invite-only. Here's exactly when it starts and ends in your time zone, and how to make sure you're in.
The WARDOGS closed beta runs over the weekend of August 21-23, 2026, a little under three weeks before the game launches into Steam Early Access on September 10. It's open to everyone who pre-orders, and it's your best chance to learn the Control Zone before launch - if you're planning to jump in, our WARDOGS beginner's guide covers everything from your first $10,000 loadout to the tower code mechanic.
WARDOGS Beta Start Time by Time Zone
The beta goes live on Friday, August 21 at 1 p.m. EDT. Here's what that means for your region:
| Region | Start Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast (PDT) | 10:00 a.m. | Friday, August 21 |
| US East Coast (EDT) | 1:00 p.m. | Friday, August 21 |
| Brazil (BRT) | 2:00 p.m. | Friday, August 21 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 6:00 p.m. | Friday, August 21 |
| Western Europe (CEST) | 7:00 p.m. | Friday, August 21 |
| Japan (JST) | 2:00 a.m. | Saturday, August 22 |
| Australia East Coast (AEST) | 3:00 a.m. | Saturday, August 22 |
WARDOGS Beta End Time by Time Zone
The beta wraps up on Sunday, August 23 at 10 p.m. EDT - early Monday morning for Europe and Asia-Pacific:
| Region | End Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast (PDT) | 7:00 p.m. | Sunday, August 23 |
| US East Coast (EDT) | 10:00 p.m. | Sunday, August 23 |
| Brazil (BRT) | 11:00 p.m. | Sunday, August 23 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 3:00 a.m. | Monday, August 24 |
| Western Europe (CEST) | 4:00 a.m. | Monday, August 24 |
| Japan (JST) | 11:00 a.m. | Monday, August 24 |
| Australia East Coast (AEST) | 12:00 p.m. | Monday, August 24 |
That's roughly 57 hours of playtime across the weekend - and with cash and progression systems fully active in the beta build, there's plenty of time to learn all six progression tracks before launch.
How to Get WARDOGS Beta Access
There are two routes into the beta - one guaranteed, one not:
1. Pre-Order on Steam (Guaranteed Access)
Pre-ordering WARDOGS on Steam for $39.99 guarantees your spot in the beta weekend. That's a steep price for an Early Access title, but the Steam pre-purchase offer comes with an unusual promise: if you don't enjoy the beta, you're free to request a refund before launch.
2. Free Playtest Signup (Not Guaranteed)
You can also hit "Request Access" on the WARDOGS Steam page playtest widget for free. The catch: BULKHEAD CEO Joe Brammer has said pre-orders exceeded expectations, so the studio won't be adding many players from the free signup pool until later in the beta weekend. If you only sign up for the playtest, expect to wait - possibly until Saturday or Sunday.
What's in the Beta?
The closed beta is the full pre-Early Access build: the three factions (Lonestar, Manticore, Valkyra), the 100-player Control Zone mode with Hot Zone and tower mechanics, the persistent cash economy, all six progression tracks, vehicles from ATVs to helicopters, and FOB building.
A few things worth knowing before you deploy:
- PC only - the beta and the September 10 Early Access launch are Steam exclusives.
- Your first loadout matters. You start with $10,000 and cash persists between matches - spend it badly and you'll feel it all weekend. Our beginner's guide has a starter loadout that leaves money in the bank.
- Expect balance changes. Weapon prices and damage values in the beta are balance levers that BULKHEAD will keep adjusting through Early Access.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the WARDOGS beta start?
Friday, August 21, 2026 at 1 p.m. EDT / 10 a.m. PDT / 6 p.m. BST / 7 p.m. CEST. For Japan and Australia it's early Saturday, August 22 (2 a.m. JST / 3 a.m. AEST).
When does the WARDOGS beta end?
Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 10 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. PDT - which is early Monday, August 24 in the UK (3 a.m. BST), Europe (4 a.m. CEST), Japan (11 a.m. JST), and Australia (12 p.m. AEST).
Is the WARDOGS beta free?
Sort of. Pre-ordering ($39.99) guarantees access, while the free playtest signup on Steam may get you in later in the weekend. The pre-purchase offer allows refund requests if you don't enjoy the beta.
Does beta progress carry over to launch?
BULKHEAD hasn't confirmed a progression wipe policy for the Early Access launch. Treat the beta as practice: the game knowledge - loadouts, towers, money-making routes - is what carries over for sure.
When does WARDOGS fully release?
WARDOGS enters Steam Early Access on September 10, 2026, with BULKHEAD estimating one to two years of Early Access development after that.
See You in the Control Zone
Beta weekends this close to launch are the real thing - the build you play August 21-23 is essentially what ships on September 10. Get your access sorted, then spend ten minutes with our WARDOGS Beginner's Guide so your first $10,000 goes further than everyone else's.