Gears of Way E-Day: How to unlock five-day early access on Xbox Game Pass

Gears of War: E-Day arrives this week for those granted early access, but Xbox Game Pass subscribers will have to wait until its official release date next week. That’s unless you complete this simple task to play the highly anticipated prequel five days early.

The Gears of War series has been one of Xbox’s most popular properties since its inception in 2006. Over the years, we’ve had sequels, a prequel and spin-offs, but Gears of War: E-Day will finally explore a moment fans have long wanted to see: Emergence Day, when the Locust Horde invades Sera from beneath the surface.

How to play Gears of War: E-Day early with Xbox Game Pass

Firstly, you need to be a subscriber to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. At the time of writing, Gears of War: E-Day is not available with any other tiers.

If you’re subscribed to Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass, you will automatically have access to Gears of War: E-Day on its worldwide release date of Tuesday, October 6, 2026, on PC and Xbox Series X/S. However, those who have pre-ordered the Premium Edition will get up to five days' early access, beginning this week on Thursday, October 1.

The version of Gears of War: E-Day on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass is the standard edition. Yet, there is the option to purchase the Premium Edition upgrade right now for $30/£30. If you’re a subscriber to either of the two tiers mentioned in this article and pre-order the Premium Edition upgrade, you will get five days of early access.

READ MORE: The 10 most iconic moments in Gears of War history

Gears of War: E-Day, Xbox Game Studios

What happens if you cancel your Xbox Game Pass subscription?

You will lose access to Gears of War: E-Day, but your Premium Edition upgrade, which includes bonus DLC content, will always remain active, no matter what. That being said, if you have no intention of ending your subscription anytime soon, it will feel like you own the digital version of Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition.

If you downgrade your Xbox Game Pass subscription, you will also lose access to the game, but when Gears of War: E-Day eventually comes to the Essential and Premium tiers, you will regain access, and that includes your Premium Edition content.

Of course, if you wanted to purchase the Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition outright, you can do so either via the Xbox Marketplace or from a third-party retailer such as Amazon. Though the latter is a code in a box, you will still receive a snazzy steelbook. The RRP of the Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition is $99.99/£89.99.

What is the story of Gears of War: E-Day?

“Experience the horror and brutality of Emergence Day. Fourteen years before the original Gears of War, join Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in a gripping origin-story campaign as the Locust Horde first erupt from below, igniting a desperate fight for survival,” reads the synopsis of the game.

“A darker, grittier tone and reimagined enemies restore fear and dread to the series. Atmosphere and detail are pushed further than ever. The world feels more grounded, believable, and dangerous. Familiar enemies are more threatening, joined by all-new creatures and villains that reestablish a true sense of horror.”

Just in case you’re wondering, unlike Forza Horizon 6, Halo: Campaign Evolved and the upcoming Fable reboot on February 23, 2027, Gears of War: E-Day is not coming to PlayStation 5.