Microsoft is reportedly considering pulling Call of Duty 2026 from Game Pass day-one access. This shift could reshape the CoD account market, skin economy, and subscription value for millions of players.
Microsoft is internally discussing the possibility of not including Call of Duty 2026 in Xbox Game Pass on launch day, according to Windows Central editor Jez Corden. Speaking on his podcast, Corden stated: “It’ll be interesting to see if they take Call of Duty out of Game Pass this year, which is a possibility from what I’ve heard.” If confirmed, this would mark the first time since Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard that a mainline CoD title skips Game Pass at launch. The move comes after Black Ops 6 reportedly cost Activision $300 million in lost sales due to its Game Pass inclusion, and Black Ops 7’s European launch sales dropped roughly 50% compared to its predecessor.
Why Microsoft Might Pull Call of Duty from Game Pass
The economics tell a clear story. Call of Duty consistently ranks among the highest-grossing annual game releases, frequently topping $1 billion in revenue within weeks of launch. Putting it on Game Pass day one means trading direct sales revenue for subscriber growth, and the returns appear to be diminishing.
According to Corden’s detailed breakdown, Microsoft uses a “member weighted” formula internally to allocate Game Pass revenue to first-party titles. A massive franchise like Call of Duty “vacuums up” a disproportionate share of that internal budget, leaving less room to license third-party games that help reduce subscriber churn. The result is a double hit: CoD cannibalizes its own retail sales while simultaneously straining Game Pass economics.
Circana data showed that Black Ops 7 experienced a double-digit percentage decrease in full-game dollar sales compared to November 2024 in North America. In Europe, GSD estimates put the decline at around 50% versus Black Ops 6. Battlefield 6 outsold Black Ops 7 by 63% in Europe. Despite all this, Call of Duty remained the No. 1 franchise on Xbox Game Pass for 2025, showing the tension between subscriber engagement and revenue generation.
What Is Call of Duty 2026? Modern Warfare 4 Rumours Explained
Multiple leaks point to the 2026 entry being Modern Warfare 4, developed by Infinity Ward. Prominent leaker TheGhostOfHope has shared details suggesting the campaign will be set largely in Korea, featuring Task Force 141, the SAS, and the Republic of Korea Army as playable factions. The story reportedly continues the Makarov storyline left open by 2023’s Modern Warfare III.
Activision responded to the leaks with a rare public statement on social media: “The rumor factory working overtime. This ain’t it.” However, historically, Activision has denied accurate leaks to protect marketing timelines. GameSpot confirmed that Activision has announced it will no longer release consecutive games within the same sub-series, making a shift from Black Ops back to Modern Warfare logical for 2026.
Game Pass Pricing in 2026: The $30 Problem
In October 2025, Microsoft restructured Game Pass with significant price increases. The current pricing across major tiers stands at:
| Tier | US Price | EU Price (Germany) |
|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Ultimate | $29.99/month | €26.99/month |
| Game Pass Premium | $14.99/month | €12.99/month |
| PC Game Pass | $16.49/month | €14.99/month |
| Game Pass Essential | $9.99/month | €8.99/month |
The Ultimate tier saw a 50% increase from $19.99 to $29.99, implemented just 11 days before Black Ops 7’s November 2025 launch. At $360 annually, Ultimate is no longer the casual “best deal in gaming” it once was. If Call of Duty is removed from day-one access, the value proposition for that $30 monthly fee weakens significantly for millions of subscribers who signed up primarily for CoD.
How This Affects the Account Market
The potential removal of Call of Duty from Game Pass has direct implications for the game account economy. Under the current model, any Game Pass Ultimate subscriber can access CoD without buying it separately. This means accounts are tied to active subscriptions rather than outright ownership.
If CoD 2026 requires a full-price purchase, several market shifts become likely:
- Increased demand for established accounts: Players who don’t want to pay full price for the new title may look for pre-existing accounts with progression, unlocked weapons, rare camos, and competitive ranks.
- Higher individual account value: Full-price buyers tend to invest more in their accounts through battle passes and cosmetic purchases, making those accounts more valuable on the secondary market over time.
- More sellers entering the market: Players who leave the CoD ecosystem may look to cash out their existing accounts, increasing supply on trusted platforms.
Marketplaces like GamerMarkt provide a secure environment for buying and selling game accounts, with seller verification systems and buyer protections that make these transitions safer for everyone involved.
The Skin Economy Under Pressure
Call of Duty’s revenue model depends heavily on microtransactions, particularly battle passes and cosmetic bundles. Microsoft’s strategy with Game Pass explicitly counted on this: get players in through the subscription, then monetise through in-game spending. TweakTown noted that Game Pass subscribers “are far more likely to spend on other things like microtransactions and battle passes” than one-time purchasers.
Removing CoD from Game Pass could shrink the active player pool, reducing overall cosmetic demand. However, it could also concentrate spending among committed buyers who paid full price for the game. These players typically have higher engagement and cosmetic investment, meaning individual accounts with rare skins and exclusive bundles could appreciate in value.
For the secondary market, this creates an interesting dynamic. Accounts loaded with limited-time operator skins, blueprint collections, and completed battle passes become more desirable as casual Game Pass players drop off and the remaining player base values exclusivity more highly.
Could a Delayed Game Pass Release Be the Compromise?
BlizzPro’s analysis suggests a likely middle ground: Call of Duty 2026 skips Game Pass at launch but arrives on the service six months later. This pattern has become increasingly common for high-profile releases that want to maximize initial retail sales while still eventually benefiting from subscription distribution.
For players, this means a clear decision point: pay full price at launch (likely $69.99 / €79.99) for immediate access, or wait roughly half a year for it to appear on Game Pass. This creates a window where the account and skin market is especially active, as early adopters build up exclusive content that later Game Pass entrants will want access to.
What About Xbox’s New Direction Under Asha Sharma?
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly exploring fundamental changes to Game Pass. According to multiple sources, she’s considering lower-priced tiers, potentially as low as $5-8 per month, possibly including an ad-supported option. Microsoft has also reportedly removed aggressive profit targets for the gaming division to allow more strategic flexibility.
This restructuring could mean Call of Duty ends up in a separate premium tier rather than disappearing from Game Pass entirely. The goal would be to offer a cheaper base subscription for casual players while charging more for access to blockbuster releases. For CoD players, this could mean paying something between the full retail price and the current $30 Ultimate subscription.
Importantly, Corden noted that this potential pullback doesn’t necessarily extend to other first-party titles. Projects like The Elder Scrolls VI may still arrive on Game Pass day one. Call of Duty’s unique position as a franchise that generates billions in standalone sales makes it a special case.
What Players Should Consider Right Now
Nothing is confirmed yet, and Microsoft could ultimately keep Call of Duty on Game Pass. But the signals from reliable industry sources are strong enough to warrant preparation:
- Evaluate your Game Pass subscription: If you’re paying $30/month primarily for CoD access, calculate whether the remaining catalogue justifies the cost without it.
- Understand your account’s value: Your current CoD account with its unlocked content, rare skins, and rank progression has real market value. Platforms like GamerMarkt can help you understand what your digital assets are worth.
- Watch for official announcements: Activision typically reveals the next Call of Duty during the summer. The Game Pass decision will likely be clarified around the same time.
- Consider your long-term spending: A full year of Game Pass Ultimate costs $360. If CoD isn’t included, buying the game outright at $70 plus a cheaper Game Pass tier could actually save money.
Things Players Tend to Wonder About
Is Call of Duty 2026 definitely leaving Game Pass?
No official confirmation exists. Jez Corden from Windows Central described it as “a possibility” based on what he’s heard from internal sources. Microsoft and Activision have not made any public statements about the 2026 title’s Game Pass status.
Will older Call of Duty games stay on Game Pass?
Current evidence suggests yes. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) was added to Game Pass in April 2026, and Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 remain on the service. The discussion appears to be specifically about new day-one launches, not removing existing titles.
How much would Call of Duty 2026 cost without Game Pass?
Based on recent entries, expect a standard edition around $69.99 in the US and €79.99 in Europe. Premium editions with additional content typically run $99.99 or higher.
Could there be a cheaper Game Pass tier that includes CoD?
Asha Sharma’s reported plans include new pricing tiers, potentially with a “super tier” for big service games. This could mean CoD remains accessible through subscription, but at a different price point than the current structure.
Can I sell my Call of Duty account safely?
Trusted marketplaces like GamerMarkt offer verified seller systems, secure payment processing, and buyer protections for game account transactions. If you’re looking to move on from your CoD account, reputable platforms provide the safest route.
The potential separation of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass represents one of the most significant shifts in the subscription gaming landscape since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard. Whether it leads to a full removal, a delayed addition, or a restructured tier system, the impact on millions of players, from their monthly budgets to the value of their digital collections, will be substantial. The coming months will reveal whether Microsoft has found a sustainable path forward or simply another detour in its ongoing Game Pass experiment.
