How to play the Battlefield 6 playtest: Start date, time, platforms & features

Battlefield 2042 didn’t quite hit the high notes of its predecessors, especially Battlefield 1. And if you’ve been waiting for the next Battlefield game to shake things up, you’re in luck. Developer Dice is now accepting Battlefield 6 playtest sign-ups, allowing you to experience the destruction-heavy return of the beloved FPS series. 

As we wait for a confirmed Battlefield 6 release window, secure access to the playtest for a glimpse at what EA has been working on. Here’s how you can do so and what you can expect.

The Battlefield 6 playtest starts on May 23, 2025. Designed to push its game servers, the invite-only playtest runs for 72 hours and will begin at 6 AM ET /9 AM BST /10 AM CEST. 

With a limited number of maps and modes on offer, Dice notes that its “primary focus for this test will be to verify server performance and stability with increased player counts throughout a full weekend.” They confirmed that the Battlefield 6 pre-alpha server performance test will occur in Europe, North America, and some parts of Asia via a Battlefield Comm post on X.

If you haven’t received a Battlefield 6 invite via the EA Playtesting service, you can sign up for Battlefield Labs with an EA account. Remember to update your playtesting preferences on the website to improve your chances of gaining access. While Dice only accepts a limited number of players, expect them to ramp up admission as testing progresses over the weekend. 

Access is also subject to an NDA agreement, meaning you won’t be able to share information publicly about your play session experiences. Despite trying to run a tight ship, Battlefield 6 leaks have already made it to the wild, showcasing its modern-day urban destruction. If the Battlefield Labs video from Dice didn’t whet your appetite, check out the latest from the Battlefield subreddit.

The Battlefield 6 playtest will be available on PC via the EA app, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Note that you will need a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core subscription to play in multiplayer lobbies if you own a console. Dice has not confirmed a Nintendo Switch version, and it seems unlikely considering that Battlefield 2042 did not release on the handheld.

Dice hasn’t revealed what Battlefield 6 gameplay features we can expect to test during the playtest. The focus is on testing server performance rather than balancing weapons or equipment. That being said, players will still get to experience some multiplayer modes with large player counts, and we expect All-Out Warfare to make an appearance. The leaks suggest that Battlefield 6 features enhanced terrain destruction and impressive visuals.

Dice has confirmed that classes will play a big role in Battlefield 6, in contrast to Battlefield 2042’s charcuterie board of operators with specialised gadgets. However, an X post from the official Battlefield account notes, “if you select a weapon from the Sniper Rifle category, you will benefit from increased breath-holding duration [as a Recon player]. In contrast, an Assault player choosing from the same category will not receive this bonus.” Players have already taken to Reddit to advocate for a return to class-locked weapons.

While crossplay has not yet been confirmed, we expect the Battlefield 6 playtest to have crossplay enabled. Battlefield 2042 allowed Xbox, PlayStation, and PC players to team up or take down opponents in the same lobbies. It remains to be seen if this feature will be optional in the playtest.

While there’s a lot of smoke around the details of the Battlefield 6 playtest, it won’t remain a mystery for long. Sign up via EA Playtesting and drop into the servers to see for yourselves. 

You’ll have to remain tight-lipped about what you experience, but it’ll give you a clear picture of the future of Battlefield. Dice has a lot to live up to after Battlefield 2042’s middling reception, and we’re hoping that Battlefield 6 rejuvenates the series’ standing with fresh destruction and a modern-day setting. Keep your eyes on Esports Insider for the latest Battlefield 6 news.