MW3 Season 1 start time – countdown to new maps, weapons, and modes in Modern Warfare 3

Wondering when is the MW3 Season 1 start date? You’ve come to the right place. With the game having already been released, players are already busy getting hands-on with Activision’s newest Call of Duty installment. Developed by Sledgehammer Games this time, there’s a lot to expect from Modern Warfare 3.

From all-new game modes, maps, and a long list of operators like Nolan that you can choose from. With the game now having made its way to consoles worldwide, here’s a refresher on the Modern Warfare 3 story so far before you jump back in. Once you’re done, let’s discuss the Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 start date.

When is MW3 Season 1 start date?

The MW3 Season 1 start date will take place on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Activision confirmed this in a blog post where it also said that the forthcoming season will include the new Urzikstan “Big Map” as well as “three brand-new core 6v6 multiplayer maps.” Below is the MW3 Season 1 start time for various regions:

• West Coast US: Wednesday 6th December, 9am (PT)
• Central US: Wednesday 6th December, 11am (CT)
• East Coast US: Wednesday 6th December, 12pm (ET)
• Europe: Wednesday 6th December, 6pm (CET)
• United Kingdom: Wednesday 6th December, 5pm (GMT)
• Australia: Thursday 7th December, 4am (AET)
• Japan: Thursday 7th December, 2am (JST)

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CoD seasons typically last for three months

Each CoD season typically lasts around three months, which means you can expect the same release trend with MW3 barring any unforeseen setbacks.

The publisher went on to say that MW3 Season 1 will also include new game modes and a selection of free and premium content, including functional weapons. If you own the MW3 Vault Edition, you can activate a free seasonal Battle Pass unlock and get up to 50 Tier Skips.

When does Season 1 of MW3 start?

MW3 season 1 will start at 5pm GMT, 12pm ET and 9am ET. The countdown below is for MW3 Season 1 release time UK. Once the clock hits zero, the new season will release.

MW3 Warzone Season 1 Release Time

Warzone Season 1 will release at the same time as MW3 Season 1 at 5pm GMT, 9am ET and 12pm ET on Wednesday 6th December. Once the below countdown clock hits zero, players will be able to start the new Warzone Urzikstan map.

MW3 Season 1 Roadmap

Here’s what you can expect from the roadmap of MW3 Season 1:

• New multiplayer maps
• Six new permanent and limited-time game modes
• The return of Gunfight mode
• New Vest
• New killstreaks
• Ranked Play
• Fresh Zombies content
• New Classified Schematics
• New Urzikstan map for Warzone
• Reloaded content
• Merry CODMAS event – slide-cancel into Zombie Santa instead of Krampus

MW3 Season 1 Zombies content

While MW3’s Zombies mode divided fans, most of them will agree that the DMZ-based extractions and contracts systems work well in the setting. Here’s how Season 1 Zombies expands on this:

• Dark Aether Rifts unlocked by Sigils for new endgame rewards and gear
• Modified V-R11 Wonder Weapon that transforms enemies to allies.
• New MW3 schematics and acquisitions to find, like the classified Dog Bone, Golden Armor Plate, and Aether Blade.
• New Prestige challenges to beat
• A powerful new Warlord to fight. Dokkaebi has autonomous drones ready to put pressure on your squad.

MW3 Season 1 new maps

• Meat (compact 6v6 map; released at launch)
• Greece (mid-sized 6v6 map; released at launch)
• Rio (small to mid-sized 6v6 map; released with Season 1 Reloaded)
• Urzikstan (new Warzone map)
• Training Facility (2v2 map; released at launch)

According to another blog post from Activision, three new maps will make their way into the game during Season 1. Two of the upcoming locations, Meat, and Greece, will be introduced to the game upon the release of Season 1. The last, Rio, will be added alongside the Season 1 Reloaded patch.

But despite these being welcome additions to MW3’s growing map list, arguably the biggest inclusion is that of Urzikstan’s, the massive new Warzone map. Not only will it bring more POIs and landmarks to play around with, but it also gives you and your squad the chance to hijack a train, which is sure to give anyone bold enough to take over it a significant advantage.

MW3 Season 1 new modes

• Gunfight (2v2; released at launch)
• All or Nothing (Free-for-All; released at launch)
• Vortex (Free-for-All; released at launch)
• Infected (mid-season release)
• Headquarters (6v6; mid-season release)
• Team Gunfight (6v6; mid-season release)

Maps aren’t the only things the developers are adding to MW3 with Season 1. A classic fan-favorite game mode is also returning to the fray in Gunfight. Sledgehammer Games will release the 2v2 offering as part of the first season. This means you and a partner can finally take on other duos again on different maps, including the Training Facility. Sledgehammer Games and Activision will provide additional details on more 2v2 maps once we get closer to Season 1’s launch.

In addition, Sledgehammer Games is also bringing back All or Nothing, a 6v6 game mode where you start the match off with, well, almost nothing. You and everyone else on the same server can initially only use Throwing Knives. However, as soon as you get a kill, the Scavenger perk activates, enabling you to pick up ammo from downed enemies. Then, the real fun begins and the first player to 20 eliminations wins.

Last but certainly not least, the MW3 dev team is introducing a Zombies-themed mode called Vortex. Here, one operator will spawn in with the ever-popular Wonder Weapon, the Ray Gun. The other players must then eliminate the Ray Gun holder, after which the one that eliminates them will be able to wield and use the deadly one-hit gun. You can play this mode on three remixed multiplayer maps, including Satan’s Quarry, Sporeyard, and Tetanus.

MW3 Season 1 new weapons

• XRK Stalker (Sniper Rifle; released at launch through Battle Pass)
• RAM-7 (Assault Rifle; released at launch through Battle Pass)
• Stormender (Launcher; released at launch through Battle Pass)
• HRM-9 (SMG; released in-season through Armory Unlock)
• TAQ Evolvere (LMG; released in-season)

A handful of weapons are set to make their way into the fray as part of Season 1, most of which will be available through the Season 1 Battle Pass. This includes the XRK Stalker sniper rifle, the RAM-7 assault rifle, and the Stormender launcher, so there’ll be plenty of incentive for you to get the seasonal microtransaction.

There will also be a couple of new weapons added at some point in the season in the HRM-9 SMG and the TAQ Evolvere LMG, so keep your eyes peeled for future updates after the MW3 Season 1 release date. In addition to these, there are nine new Aftermarket Parts that drastically alter how your weapons function. These are the JAK Purifier, JAK Ettin Double Barrel Kit, JAK Thunder LMG Kit, JAK BRB, JAK Bullseye, JAK Glassless Optic, JAK Signal Burst, JAK Beholder Rifle Kit, and JAK Headhunter Carbine Conversion.

So, if you’re yet to order Modern Warfare 3, we suggest going over our MW3 Editions guide, which includes all the benefits that come with each edition of the game. And if you plan on playing the campaign extensively, you wouldn’t want to miss the MW3 campaign rewards as well. If you’re already entrenched in the professional scene, check out the Call of Duty League Launch Pack and its rewards from December 8.

For many players, the campaign is the best part of any Call of Duty game. If that’s you, then you’ll want to go over our MW3 campaign characters list. For more help on the game, take a look at our guides on the best perks in MW3 and the best Renetti loadout in MW3.

MW3 Season 1 release time FAQs

When does MW3 Season 1 end?

Activision and Sledgehammer Games haven’t revealed when MW3 Season 1 will end. However, we expect it to conclude either in late February or early March 2024.

How many seasons will MW3 have?

It’s currently unclear how many seasons MW3 will have. But if the past series entries are anything to go by, it will likely have five to six seasons.

What is 9am ET to UK time for MW3 season 1 release?

9am ET time is 5pm GMT, so MW3 players in UK can start playing Season 1 at 5pm.