Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a day one Xbox Game Pass release in a major move for Microsoft's subscription service

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It's now confirmed

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 teaser
(Image credit: Activision)

Update: Xbox has confirmed Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a day one launch with Xbox Game Pass later this year. 

Earlier today, May 28, Xbox announced a major boost for its subscription service: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will arrive on Xbox Game Pass on day one when it debuts later this year, for both PC and console players alike. This is the first huge change Microsoft has made to Call of Duty releases since it acquired Activision.

According to The Verge reporter Tom Warren, the Xbox Game Pass app on Android and iOS devices has notified users via a push notification that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is "coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one later this year." However, clicking the link in the notification itself sends users to an Xbox Wire page that doesn't exist at the time of writing, though it does have a URL that mentions playing Black Ops 6 on Game Pass right from day one.

Therefore, it seems as though the push notification was accidentally sent out to Xbox Game Pass users on mobile devices ahead of time, and an official announcement. It could be that Xbox will officially announce the news later today, May 28, but a report earlier this month claimed Xbox would make an announcement about Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass during Summer Game Fest next month in June.

Given that Xbox usually makes its announcements around 7 am PT/10 am ET/ 3pm BST, it looks like the announcement could be coming later today. Keep an eye out on Xbox's social media channels, and the Xbox Wire itself, later today for the potential official announcement about Black Ops 6 on Xbox Game Pass. While this sort of thing has happened before - hello Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 - it looks like something is going on.

What we definitely know is that a Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct is airing next month on Sunday, June 9, immediately after the main Xbox Games Showcase 2024. The Xbox-oriented showcase will be kicking off at 10 am PT/1 pm ET/6 pm BST, so the Black Ops 6 Direct will likely start around two hours after the initial showcase begins. 

Take a look at our upcoming Xbox Series X games guide for an overview of all the exclusives Xbox currently has in the works.

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.