Starting October 20, Blizzard emails Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes to everyone who bought a WoW Forever upgrade pack. Each code lets one friend play WoW Forever with no subscription or Game Time from November 4 to November 11, 2026.
What an Invite-A-Friend code is
An Invite-A-Friend Launch Code is a one-week pass for someone else. You do not use it on your own account: you send it to a friend, they redeem it, and they can play WoW Forever from November 4 through November 11, 2026 (PST) without a WoW subscription or Game Time.
It is not beta access. The beta closes for good on October 23, and these codes only open the live game during launch week.
Who gets codes and how many
Codes come with the WoW Forever upgrade packs:
| Pack | Price (US) | Invite-A-Friend codes |
|---|---|---|
| Skyborne Heroic Pack | $29.99 | 1 |
| Skyborne Epic Pack | $59.99 | 3 |
| Warcraft Forever Collection | $79.99 | 3 |
A plain subscription does not include codes. See what WoW Forever costs and what each pack adds.
When they arrive
Blizzard sends the codes by email starting October 20, 2026, to the address on the Battle.net account that bought the pack. Not everyone receives them at the same minute, so give it a day before contacting support. Check your spam or promotions folder.
How to redeem the code (step by step)
- Copy the code from Blizzard’s email.
- Send it directly to your friend (Discord, WhatsApp, email). Do not post it publicly: whoever redeems it first gets it.
- Your friend logs in to Battle.net with their own account and redeems the code there (in the Battle.net app or on the account website, under the redeem-a-code option).
- On November 4, your friend opens World of Warcraft in Battle.net, picks WoW Forever and plays until November 11.
If this is their first time, also send the WoW Forever installation and account-selection guide.
Blizzard says the code works for “eligible invitees” and has not published every condition. If a code fails, your friend should contact Blizzard support with the error message.
What happens after November 11
The free week ends on November 11 (PST). To keep playing, your friend needs an active WoW subscription or Game Time, the same as everyone else. Blizzard has not detailed what happens to characters created with a code if they never subscribe, so do not assume anything either way.
Who should get your code
- A friend who has never played WoW: a week is enough to get through the first zones and a dungeon or two, and to know if they like it.
- A returning player who cancelled years ago and wants to test Forever before paying.
- Not someone who already has an active subscription: they can already play.
Before November 4, point them to the best class to start with, the launch time in their country and the talent calculator so they arrive with a plan.
Other ways to play for free
- The free stress test on October 21 is over: it was a few hours open to any WoW account, and everything was wiped afterwards. How it went.
- After launch week, there is no free option announced: WoW Forever needs a subscription or Game Time.
FAQ
Where do I enter my WoW Forever code?
In Battle.net, on the account of the person who will play: in the Battle.net app or on your account website, under the redeem-a-code option. You do not enter it in the game or on the character screen.
How do I redeem a code if I have never played WoW?
Create a free Battle.net account first, log in with it and redeem the code under the redeem-a-code option. Then install World of Warcraft from the Battle.net app so it is ready on November 4.
Is a gift code the same as an invite code?
Yes. “Gift code”, “invite code” or “code to send a friend” all refer to the same Invite-A-Friend code that comes with the packs. No other free code has been announced for WoW Forever.
Are there weekly WoW Forever codes?
No. Each code is a one-week pass, from November 4 to 11, and can be redeemed once. Blizzard has not announced new codes every week.
Can I use my own code?
No. The code is for someone else: you already play with your subscription or Game Time. Send it to a friend without an active subscription.
Does the code work for the beta or the stress test?
No. The beta closed on October 23, and the code only opens the live game during launch week.
What time can my friend start playing?
On November 4 at 23:00 UTC, the same moment as everyone else. Find their local time in our launch time tables.
Can my friend reserve a name with the code?
Blizzard says name reservation (October 27 to November 3) is for accounts with an eligible pack and does not mention Invite-A-Friend codes. The safe assumption is that your friend creates their character on November 4, so they should have two or three backup names ready.
Sources and data status
Sources reviewed October 29, 2026. Beta details can change; each reference is labeled by source type.
- Official source: Blizzard: Pre-purchase WoW Forever upgrades (Invite-A-Friend details) ↗
- Secondary source: Warcraft Tavern: WoW Forever editions and pack contents ↗