Dragonflight is free to play this weekend (through August 4) for inactive World of Warcraft accounts, no subscription or game-time needed!

WoW's next expansion, The War Within, is launching on August 26 and so Blizzard is letting everyone come back to the game early to check out the pre-patch updates and pre-expansion event, Radiant Echoes. This isn't a game trial or like when you login without active game time, the game is going to act like you have an active subscription so you can do anything and everything the game has to offer. 

It really is a great time to check the game out again if you've been a way for a while, speaking of, be sure to check out WoW's recap cinematic that gets you caught up with the events of Battle for Azeroth, Shadowlands, and Dragonflight, which is exactly the primer you need before you jump into The Worldsoul Saga with The War Within.

It should be noted that this does not apply to World of Warcraft's Classic realms. If you want to play Classic, whether that's Season of Discovery or Cataclysm flavors, you'll need to buy game time. See you all in Azeroth!

Quote From Blizzard

The War Within™ is nearly here—gather your friends and prepare to descend into the depths of Azeroth to face Xal'atath, Harbinger of the Void. From August 1 through August 4, we're giving all players with inactive World of Warcraft® accounts full access to the game* and all your characters without a subscription or Game Time**.

Brave adventurers can access all expansions, including Dragonflight, to play the most recent content—including the Radiant Echoes pre-expansion event.

Rejoin your guild, rally your Warband, and prepare to explore an entirely new world beneath Azeroth and get ready for The War Within when it launches on August 26, 2024, at 3 pm PDT globally.

Get Back in Action

If you've been away for a while, you can play through the new starting experience starting at level 1 to learn the ropes.

You can also opt out of the starting experience and begin instead at level 1 in the starting area for your race. Upon reaching level 10, you can continue into Dragonflight or speak with Chromie to choose a Timewalking Campaign. Choose an expansion and continue leveling until you're ready to enter Khaz Algar at level 70 when The War Within goes live. Players with Allied race characters will begin at level 10. Non-Allied race Death Knights and Demon Hunters will automatically begin at level 8 and play through their own starting experience before moving on around level 10.

If you'd like to select a different Timewalking Campaign, simply speak to Chromie again. With phase 2 of The War Within pre-expansion patch, Timewalking Campaigns scale to level 70 and include Dragonflight.

Need Help Logging Back In?

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Get a taste of adventure with our trial experience and learn more about the latest updates and support options here.

  • *Welcome Back Weekend is not available in WoW® Classic. The new playable Earthen race is only available with The War Within expansion.
  • **To be eligible for Welcome Back Weekend, a player must have previously had an active subscription or Game Time.
  • ***Ability to return to WoW without a subscription ends on August 5, at 10:00 am PDT. Player is responsible for any online connection fees.
  • ****The existing Free Trial is available for new players up to level 20.