The quieter summer period is coming to an end, and the next few weeks are shaping up to be significantly busier for gamers. Several major publishers have confirmed releases or playable events between late August and the end of September 2026, ranging from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s Open Beta to Marvel’s Wolverine and EA Sports FC 27.
Some release calendars still contain provisional dates for less firmly announced games, so not every title currently listed for September should be treated as confirmed. However, several of the month’s biggest releases already have official dates.
Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta arrives first
Before September even begins, Call of Duty will become one of the biggest gaming stories of the week.
Activision and Infinity Ward are currently running the Early Access Beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Players who pre-ordered eligible editions can participate between August 21 and August 25.
The fully open phase begins on August 28 and continues until September 1. Unlike the Early Access period, no pre-order is required.
The Open Beta will also expand beyond the initial multiplayer offering. Infinity Ward has confirmed that Weekend Two increases the player level cap, introduces additional multiplayer content and adds Warzone Resurgence on the new Zodiac map.
- MW4 Early Access Beta: August 21-25
- MW4 Open Beta: August 28-September 1
- Full game release: October 23
- Nintendo Switch 2 players can join the Open Beta
The beta is particularly significant because Infinity Ward is using player feedback to adjust the game ahead of launch. A campaign mission is also playable during the testing period, which is unusual for a Call of Duty multiplayer beta.
Onimusha returns earlier than originally planned
Capcom will follow shortly afterward with Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
The publisher initially planned to release the game on September 25, but moved the date forward to September 4. Capcom said the change allows players to access the game earlier than previously expected.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is now officially scheduled for September 4, making it one of the first major releases of the month.
The action game marks a major return for the Onimusha franchise and will launch on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Capcom has already released a playable demo, although the company has clarified that an upcoming update connected with the changed launch date will not add new gameplay content.
| Game | Date | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | September 4 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series |
| Marvel’s Wolverine | September 15 | PS5 |
| EA Sports FC 27 Early Access | September 18 | Multiple platforms |
| EA Sports FC 27 | September 25 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
Marvel’s Wolverine becomes September’s PS5 heavyweight
One of the month’s biggest releases arrives on September 15.
Marvel’s Wolverine is being developed by Insomniac Games in collaboration with Marvel Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Unlike Insomniac’s Spider-Man titles, Wolverine is designed as a story-focused action adventure rather than a traditional open-world game.
Sony has confirmed that the title is being developed specifically for PlayStation 5 and will not receive a PlayStation 4 version.
The project has attracted considerable attention because it takes Insomniac into a darker style of Marvel game. Wolverine’s combat is significantly more violent than the studio’s Spider-Man series, while the story focuses heavily on Logan’s past.
- Marvel’s Wolverine launches September 15
- It is exclusive to PlayStation 5 at launch
- Insomniac Games is the lead developer
- The game is a story-driven single-player action adventure
For Sony, Wolverine is positioned as one of PlayStation’s most important first-party releases of 2026.
EA Sports FC 27 closes out the month
EA Sports FC 27 will then take over the final part of September.
Electronic Arts has officially confirmed a worldwide launch date of September 25. Players purchasing the Ultimate Edition or Ultimate Plus Edition can begin playing up to seven days earlier, starting September 18.
FC 27 will release across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
EA has already started revealing some of the game’s major changes. The publisher is promoting gameplay improvements based on community feedback, including changes to attacking AI, defending and set pieces.
Football Ultimate Team is also receiving new systems, while The Grounds is being introduced as a more social football experience.
The timing gives FC 27 a relatively clear window before some of October’s major releases arrive.
More September games remain worth watching
Other release calendars currently list several additional games for September, including Phantom Blade Zero. However, release-calendar listings should be separated from dates directly confirmed by publishers.
That distinction will become increasingly important over the coming weeks. Games can still be delayed, moved forward or receive regional launch differences shortly before release.
The most reliable confirmed schedule currently centers around Onimusha, Wolverine and EA Sports FC 27, with the Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta providing a major playable event before them.
Assessment
September looks considerably stronger than the traditionally quieter summer period.
Modern Warfare 4 should generate immediate attention through its Open Beta, while Onimusha provides a major action release at the beginning of the month. Marvel’s Wolverine then becomes the centerpiece for PlayStation players before EA Sports FC 27 takes over toward the end of September.
For gaming news, the month should also produce much more than simple release announcements. Beta balancing, launch patches, technical performance, reviews, player numbers and emergency updates could all become relevant shortly after each game becomes available.
The confirmed schedule already makes September one of the most important gaming months of the second half of 2026, even before the larger October and holiday-season releases begin arriving.
