While Call of Duty: Warzone updates in 2026 may feel lighter compared to the main multiplayer experience, Season 1 Reloaded still brings enough changes to justify clearing some hard drive space—especially for players with a soft spot for unexpected crossovers. With rollout imminent and reports of an unusually large download size, this is one update you’ll want to prepare for in advance.
Here’s a clear breakdown of when Season 1 Reloaded goes live, how big the update is shaping up to be, and what kind of content players can expect.
Warzone Season 1 Reloaded Release Time
Season 1 Reloaded is officially set to launch on January 8, 2026.
Historically, updates across the Call of Duty ecosystem tend to go live in the late afternoon in the UK. Based on previous rollout patterns, players should expect the update to become available at around 5:00 PM GMT.
As usual, server stability during the first few hours may vary, so pre-loading ahead of time is strongly recommended if you plan to jump in as soon as the update goes live.
Warzone Season 1 Reloaded Pre-Load Siz
One of the biggest talking points ahead of this update is its sheer size.
Early reports from Battle.net users suggest the Season 1 Reloaded download can reach up to 174GB, depending on your setup. The exact size varies based on how many Call of Duty titles and components you already have installed, including shared assets across Warzone and multiplayer.
The good news is that this doesn’t necessarily mean Warzone will permanently consume an additional 174GB of storage. Like many large-scale live-service games, Call of Duty downloads a significant number of temporary files during updates. Once installation is complete, redundant files are typically removed and older assets replaced.
That said, players with limited SSD space may still want to do some housekeeping before starting the download.
What Content Is Coming in Season 1 Reloaded?
Compared to full seasonal launches, Reloaded updates are traditionally more focused than transformative—and Season 1 Reloaded appears to follow that pattern.
The update is expected to deliver:
- Mid-season gameplay tweaks and balance adjustments
- Limited-time modes and playlist rotations
- New cosmetic content and themed events
One standout detail is the Fallout-inspired crossover, which has generated particular excitement. While details remain tightly controlled, the crossover is expected to introduce themed cosmetics and event elements rather than large-scale map changes.
For Warzone-only players, the update may feel modest compared to what multiplayer fans receive, but Reloaded patches often lay the groundwork for larger shifts later in the season.
Why Pre-Loading Matters This Time
Even by Call of Duty standards, the reported file size makes this a “plan ahead” update. Starting the download early not only helps you avoid peak-time server congestion but also reduces the risk of being locked out by last-minute storage issues.
If you’re on slower internet or juggling multiple installed Call of Duty titles, pre-loading is less of a convenience and more of a necessity.
The Bigger Picture for Warzone in 2026
Season 1 Reloaded reinforces a trend Warzone players are already familiar with: incremental updates that prioritize stability, crossovers, and live-service pacing over sweeping mechanical overhauls. While some fans may wish for bolder changes, Reloaded updates play a crucial role in keeping the ecosystem active between major seasonal drops.
For now, January 8 marks the next checkpoint. Whether you’re dropping in for the Fallout-themed content or simply keeping your loadouts current, Season 1 Reloaded is best approached prepared—and with plenty of free disk space.
