Gears of War: E-Day is getting not one but two beta weekends before launch, and The Coalition has structured them so that dedicated fans get first crack while the open beta follows shortly after. Both runs last just under five days each, so knowing exactly when to log in matters. Here's everything confirmed about access requirements, start times across every major time zone, and the modes you'll actually be playing.
How do you access the Gears of War: E-Day early access beta?
The early access beta is gated behind one of three conditions. You need to have pre-ordered E-Day on either Xbox Series X|S or Steam, or hold an active Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription. Any one of those qualifies you. Pre-downloads are already live on both the Xbox and Steam stores, so you can grab the client now and be ready the moment the servers open.
Horde Siege fits 12 players
The open beta that follows is a different story entirely. Anyone on Xbox or PC can download and play it with no pre-order required. A basic Game Pass Essentials subscription on Xbox covers you, and on Steam you just need a valid internet connection. No additional purchase necessary.
All Gears of War: E-Day beta dates and times
Both beta windows open on a Thursday and close the following Monday, giving you roughly four and a half days per run. Weekend 1 is the early access period; Weekend 2 is the open beta.
Weekend 1: early access beta
Weekend 2: open beta
What modes and content are in each beta weekend?
The two weekends are not identical, and the content split is worth understanding before you decide which weekend to prioritize.
Weekend 1 focuses on Horde Siege, a new 12-player co-op mode. This is one of the most talked-about new additions to E-Day's multiplayer, and the early access window is the first time anyone outside The Coalition gets to play it. Twelve players working together against Locust waves is a significant step up from traditional Horde formats, and this weekend is your only shot at it before the open beta.
Weekend 2 adds 4v4 Versus to the mix alongside whatever carry-over content The Coalition confirms. The competitive side of E-Day's multiplayer gets its public debut here, and since this weekend is fully open, expect significantly higher player counts and potentially longer matchmaking queues at peak hours.
4v4 Versus joins Weekend 2
Which beta weekend should you play?
Here's the practical breakdown. If you care about co-op and want to experience Horde Siege before launch, the early access weekend is worth the pre-order or Game Pass cost. If you're purely a competitive shooter games player and Versus is all you want, waiting for the open beta costs you nothing.
For players who want both modes, the early access route is the only path. Weekend 2 does not appear to include a second run of Horde Siege based on confirmed content.
Where to find more E-Day guides
Both beta weekends are short, and getting up to speed quickly on the modes and mechanics will make the time you have more productive. The Gears of War: E-Day guides collection covers the multiplayer in more detail as new information drops from The Coalition ahead of and during the beta windows. Check back there for mode-specific breakdowns once hands-on impressions start coming in after August 6.