Borderlands 4 does not have a traditional early access period for all players. However, PC players can start playing about 12 hours earlier than console players because the game releases first on PC at 12 PM Eastern Time (September 11, 2025), whereas on consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S), it releases at midnight local time on September 12. There is no paid early access or special edition that grants earlier play beyond this time difference. To play early, purchasing and playing the PC version is the key method. Additionally, some independent video game stores might get physical copies early and could potentially sell or allow playing before the official release, but this is unofficial and not guaranteed. To summarize:
- Borderlands 4 releases for PC earliest at 12 PM ET on September 11, 2025.
- Console release is at midnight local time on September 12, 2025.
- No paid early access or special editions grant earlier play.
- Playing the PC version is the main official way to get a 12-hour early start.
- Some independent stores may have physical copies early, but this is unofficial.
The game supports single-player and co-op modes, letting up to 4 players play online together or 2 players split-screen on consoles. This approach allows one to "play early" but only by platform and release time differences, not through a traditional early access program.
