Closed Beta

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 will run a Closed Beta before launch. Creative Assembly and Sega announced it during the PC Gaming Show on 7 June 2026, the same showcase that revealed the game's first in-development battle gameplay. Registration to express interest opened on the official site the same day.

Announcement

The Closed Beta was confirmed alongside a behind-the-scenes developer feature and new alpha gameplay footage of Astra Militarum forces clashing with Orks on the war-torn world of Armageddon. Creative Assembly framed the beta as the first chance for players to try the game directly, and used the showcase to walk through the factions and systems newcomers would encounter.

How Registration Works

Players register their interest through a sign-up form on the official Total War website. Access is limited and granted by email invitation rather than open to everyone who signs up. Registering does not guarantee a place; Creative Assembly selects participants from the pool of applicants.

Timing

The beta is scheduled to run later in 2026. An exact start date has not been announced, and no firm release date for the full game has been set. Creative Assembly has only said that more will be shared across 2026.

What the Beta Tests

Coverage of the reveal indicates the beta is aimed at refining the game's large-scale combat: how infantry use cover, how armoured vehicles perform, and how squads coordinate in real-time battles. It gives the team feedback on faction balance and battlefield behaviour ahead of launch.

The two factions shown in detail at the reveal, the Astra Militarum and the Orks, are the pairing players saw fighting on Armageddon. See the factions page for the full launch roster and the Gameplay and Campaign pages for the systems the beta is built to test.

Pre-Release Note

This page covers an unreleased beta for an unreleased game. Beta timing, access details, and the build's content are all subject to change. Details are based on the official June 2026 announcement.