Verdansk returned to Call of Duty: Warzone on April 3, 2025, at 9 a.m. PT—not March 20, the date players had inferred from the Season 02 countdown. Activision had not confirmed March 20 as a release date. Instead, it announced Black Ops 6 Season 03 for April 2, followed by a 24-hour Warzone shutdown and Verdansk’s launch the next day.
Why players called it a delay
Players and contemporary coverage expected Season 03 around March 20, 2025, based on the Season 02 timer. That was an inferred date, not an official Activision commitment. On March 3, reporting described Activision’s announcement that Season 03 would arrive in April, which made the change feel like a delay relative to the countdown-based expectation. Activision’s March 26 announcement later specified the rollout dates. The announcements do not explain why the inferred March timing gave way to an April launch.
When did Verdansk come back?
The return was a two-stage launch, not a single update date. Activision said Black Ops 6 Season 03 would begin April 2, 2025, at 9 a.m. PT. Warzone was scheduled to go offline at that time for 24 hours, with access and Verdansk’s opening expected April 3 at 9 a.m. PT. Activision’s announcement set out the schedule.
| Date and time (PT) | What Activision announced |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2025 | Player and press expectation inferred from the Season 02 countdown; not a confirmed Activision date. Contemporary reporting discussed that expectation. |
| April 2, 2025, 9 a.m. | Black Ops 6 Season 03 began; Warzone was scheduled to go offline for 24 hours. Activision’s rollout announcement. |
| April 3, 2025, 9 a.m. | Warzone access and Verdansk’s return were expected. Activision’s announcement. |
What changed in the returning map?
Activision presented Verdansk as a return to Warzone’s original Battle Royale roots, rebuilt from the ground up with quality-of-life adjustments. Its description called the Season 03 map “95%” a rebuilt version of 2020 Verdansk; that figure is the publisher’s characterization, not an independently measured comparison. The official map briefing also noted changes such as Metro Station entrances and said further adjustments were planned for later seasons. Read Activision’s Verdansk map intel.
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Modes announced for the April 2025 launch
Activision’s launch information described these modes and plans for the April 2025 rollout. They should not be read as confirmation of the live playlist today.
- Battle Royale: Verdansk with 150 players.
- Plunder: included in the announced launch offerings.
- Battle Royale Casual: 28 players and up to 120 bots.
- Rebirth Island Resurgence: also listed during the launch window.
- Ranked Play: planned for Verdansk at mid-season.
These were announced plans, not a guarantee that every mode would be available at every point in the launch window. Activision’s modes overview contains the original details.
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Who could receive the returning-player cosmetics?
Players were eligible for three additional cosmetic items if their Activision account matched prior play on the original Verdansk. The eligibility condition was tied to that account history; simply logging in with a different account would not establish it. Activision’s rewards details describe the items and condition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Verdansk in Warzone’s playlist now?
The available official status evidence does not establish whether Verdansk is in the live playlist on October 8, 2026. Activision Support’s index, accessed that day, lists Warzone Season 06 information updated September 17, 2026, indicating continued seasonal updates but not confirming a specific map’s present playlist status. Check the current in-game playlist or an up-to-date Activision announcement for availability. Activision Support.
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