Forever is the Classic Plus that stopped being a rumor
The long-rumored Classic Plus, announced and dated in the same breath. Forever is a permanent version of the game alongside Modern and Classic: level 1 to 60 on the original continents, but with new zones, new dungeons, a new race, and updates that keep arriving.
The short answer
A third version of the game, capped at 60
Forever goes live November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST, with a beta from September 17. It sits permanently alongside Modern and Classic rather than replacing either: the original continents, level 1 to 60, and content that keeps being added inside that bracket instead of above it. Three new zones, nine dungeons, two raids, a new battleground, new professions, and a new playable race, the Skyborne.
What is confirmed, and by whom
Blizzard's own article covers the dates, the setting and the Skyborne. The content counts all come from the BlizzCon stage, so they are tagged separately until an article repeats them.
Launches November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST
blizzard post. Transcribed from an official Blizzard article. Names and numbers are theirs.Beta opens September 17, 2026, which is the first of the three BlizzCon announcements anyone can actually play.
Set between Forsaken Kingdom and Molten Core
blizzard post. Transcribed from an official Blizzard article. Names and numbers are theirs.After the events of Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom and before Molten Core opens. A reimagined original Azeroth rather than a fresh Classic realm on the old timeline.
Level 60 is still the cap
blizzard post. Transcribed from an official Blizzard article. Names and numbers are theirs.The 1 to 60 bracket is the whole game. New content is spread through it instead of stacked past it, which is the part that separates Forever from an expansion.
The Skyborne, a new playable race
blizzard post. Transcribed from an official Blizzard article. Names and numbers are theirs.A neutral elven race starting on Zephras Isle. Blizzard has confirmed the race and the starting zone; the neutral-faction framing comes from the panels.
Three new zones
panel report. Shown at the BlizzCon 2026 panels and reported by outlets, but not yet written into a Blizzard post. Treat it as provisional.Mount Hyjal, Zephras Isle and The Riverglades, alongside overhauls of existing Azeroth zones.
Over 1,000 new quests
panel report. Shown at the BlizzCon 2026 panels and reported by outlets, but not yet written into a Blizzard post. Treat it as provisional.Spread across the entire 1 to 60 range rather than concentrated at the level cap.
Nine dungeons and two raids
panel report. Shown at the BlizzCon 2026 panels and reported by outlets, but not yet written into a Blizzard post. Treat it as provisional.Nine new dungeons, plus two new raids built for 10 to 20 players rather than the 40-player originals.
A new battleground and new professions
panel report. Shown at the BlizzCon 2026 panels and reported by outlets, but not yet written into a Blizzard post. Treat it as provisional.The battleground is set on the Darkspear Islands. Profession details were not broken out on stage.
Forever, Classic, and Modern side by side
| Version | Level cap | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Forever | 60 | A reimagined original Azeroth that keeps growing, set before Molten Core opens. |
| Classic | Varies by branch | The original game and its expansions replayed on their own timeline. |
| Modern | Raised each expansion | The live retail game, currently Midnight, heading into The Last Titan. |
Everything else on this site describes Modern. Class guides, keystone timers and gearing paths are written for retail Midnight and do not transfer to a level-60 ruleset.
Getting into the beta
The beta starts September 17, 2026, ahead of the November 4 launch. Blizzard has described it as open for feedback rather than a closed technical test, but the opt-in mechanics were not spelled out in the announcement article, so check the official Forever page rather than trusting a second-hand list of steps.
Where each claim came from
- blizzard post. Transcribed from an official Blizzard article. Names and numbers are theirs.
- Transcribed from an official Blizzard article. Names and numbers are theirs.
- panel report. Shown at the BlizzCon 2026 panels and reported by outlets, but not yet written into a Blizzard post. Treat it as provisional.
- Shown at the BlizzCon 2026 panels and reported by outlets, but not yet written into a Blizzard post. Treat it as provisional.
- Blizzard: World of Warcraft at BlizzCon 2026 Forever release and beta dates, setting, the Skyborne race, and the tease for The Last Titan
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