Marathon server slam release date and rewards

Marathon launch trailer screenshot Recon runner reloading a gun — (Image credit: Bungie)

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The Marathon server slam event is coming up soon, letting any and all players on major platforms venture down to Tau Ceti IV. As the name suggests, the main goal of the server slam is to stress test Marathon's servers to, hopefully, ensure a smooth launch day experience. But you'll also get to experience quite a sizeable chunk of the game, including two maps and all but one of the Runners. Here's everything you need to know about the Marathon server slam, including when it'll be live, what you can play, and what rewards you can get for the full game by participating.

Marathon server slam start date

Marathon launch trailer screenshot of a player looking up at the sky top see several planets and the UESC Marathon ship — (Image credit: Bungie)

The running period for the Marathon server slam is February 26 at 6PM UTC to March 2 at 6PM UTC. That works out as:

US Pacific: February 26 at 10AM PST to March 2 at 10AM PST
US Eastern: February 26 at 1PM EST to March 2 at 1PM EST
UK: February 26 at 6PM GMT to March 2 at 6PM GMT
Central Europe: February 26 at 7PM CET to March 2 at 7PM CET
Australia: February 27 at 5AM AEDT to March 2 at 5AM AEDT
New Zealand: February 27 at 7AM NZDT to March 2 at 7AM NZDT

Unlike previous alpha tests, the server slam event for Marathon requires no sign-ups or pre-orders – all players on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam are welcome to try the preview build for free, with cross-play and cross-save enabled. The Marathon release date then comes a few days later on March 5, likely also at 6PM UTC.

Marathon server slam rewards

Marathon launch trailer screenshot of a player watching an incapacitated enemy runner crawling away from them with a trail of blue blood — (Image credit: Bungie)

Depending on how much you play and achieve during the Marathon server slam, you'll get various reward packs for your account that will be available to you on launch day, which include things like Marathon Cores. Here's what you can get:

Complete the introductory mission: An emblem and player background to show your participation in the server slam.
Complete one mission to unlock the Standard Arrival Cache: Includes six Standard Implants, four Standard Runner Shell Cores, six Standard Weapon Chip Mods, and the Overrun and Hardline weapons.
Reach Runner Level 10 to unlock the Enhanced Arrival Cache: Includes six Enhanced Implants, two Enhanced Runner Shell Cores for each Shell, four Enhanced Weapon Chip Mods, and an Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline.
Reach Runner Level 30 to unlock the Deluxe Arrival Cache: Includes three Deluxe and three Enhanced Implants, one Deluxe and one Enhanced Runner Shell Cores for each Shell, two Deluxe and two Enhanced Weapon Chip Mods, and a Deluxe Magnum, an Enhanced Volley Rifle, and a Deluxe Backpack.

And if you play Marathon at launch (not the server slam!) on PS5 with a PS Plus subscription, you'll also get three exclusive PlayStation game-themed weapon charms – one for Helldivers 2, one for Death Stranding 2, and one for Ghost of Yotei.

Marathon server slam content

Marathon launch trailer screenshot team of three runners battling UESC robots at a neon green building — (Image credit: Bungie)

In terms of what you'll get to play during the Marathon server slam event, it's a slightly expanded offering compared to the April 2025 closed alpha test. You'll get to experience the basic extraction shooter loop, teaming up with fellow Runners to gather loot, battle or avoid the UESC and other players, then escape with your winnings – or die trying. Specifically, you'll get to try out the following:

Two maps: Perimeter and Dire Marsh are the only two maps that will be available in the server slam, but the full game will also feature Outpost and then the endgame Cryo Archive zone later in Season 1.
Six Marathon Runner Shells: Destroyer, Assassin, Recon, Vandal, Triage, and Rook will all be available. Thief will not be available during the server slam but will be present with Marathon's full launch.
Five factions: During the Marathon server slam, you'll be able to complete contracts for CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne, letting you progress through the respective skill trees for each faction. The full release of Marathon will also include Sekiguchi Genetics as the sixth faction, as well as the full contracts and upgrades systems for each faction.
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