When Does the Wardogs Playtest End?

Anyone who managed to grab a spot in the Wardogs Closed Beta is now watching the clock, and for good reason. The dates advertised on the store don’t quite match the actual server shutdown time. Wondering what the official testing window is? Here is the small but important gap between the listed end date and the real closing time, as well as what players can expect once the servers finally go offline.

The Official Wardogs Closed Beta Window

Wardogs Playtest started on August 21 | Credits: BULKHEAD

Developer BULKHEAD confirmed the Closed Beta for its 100-player tactical shooter Wardogs runs from August 21 through August 23, 2026, and this is the date range shown on the Steam store listing. There were also two different ways players could have entered the test: firstly, pre-ordering the game secured guaranteed entry, while a smaller number of participants were chosen through Steam’s free Request Access lottery after the studio reached the cap on external keys it could distribute.

The studio also lifted its non-disclosure agreement before the test began, so anyone who got in has been free to post clips and screenshots, and even livestream throughout the weekend.

The Real Shutdown Time of Wardogs Playtest

Wardogs Playtest ends on August 24 | Credits: BULKHEAD

Although the beta is marketed to end on August 23rd, the studio’s official schedule posted on Steam shows the servers actually staying live until 2:00 AM UTC on Monday, August 24. This means the playtest runs in one uninterrupted stretch starting at 5:00 PM UTC on Friday, August 21, through August 24.

Here’s the real closing time for the game’s playtest in every major region:

Once the servers close, BULKHEAD has said it welcomes refunds from anyone who pre-ordered specifically for beta access and decided the game isn’t a fit, in line with the standard Steam refund policy.

The full release into Steam’s Early Access program is set for September 10, 2026, leaving roughly two and a half weeks from the playtest servers going dark and the game becoming available to play again.

Did you get a chance to try the game for yourself? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!