Marathon Server Slam: Dates, How to play, test rewards and everything you need to know

With Marathon fast approaching it’s March 5, 2026 release date, players eagerly anticipate the day 1 launch gameplay. Fortunately, however, Bungie has announced a pre-launch Marathon Server Slam for all to participate in.

What is the date for Marathon Server Slam?

The open-preview weekend, also known as the Server Slam is scheduled for February 26, 2026, and remains running until March 2, 2026. This leaves players right before the release date, only three days apart.

Scheduled Server Slam Start and End times

The preview weekend begins and ends at the following times:

• Starts: Thursday February 26, 2026 (10am PT/1pm ET/6pm GMT)
• Ends: Monday March 2, 2026 (TBA, likely similar to start time or earlier)

What is the Marathon Server Slam?

The Marathon Server Slam is an open test for all players, with the goal of pushing the game servers to their limit. The reason for these tests are to not only give players a taste of the game to see if they’re interested in purchasing Marathon, but also to ensure that the servers can handle the release day rush. As expected of a Bungie game, a huge amount of players are predicted during the launch week.

How to get in to the test

To get into the Server Slam and play before official release, you’ll actually have to do very little! As a result of being an open test with the intention to stress servers, you’ll only need to download the Server Slam client from your platform of choice (PS Store, Xbox, PC Steam). If you happen to swap platforms during the test (or even after launch), the game has both Cross-play and Cross-save enabled. As a result, you can pick up where you left off anywhere! You will not need to sign up or pre-order to gain access to this test.

Marathon Server Slam Rewards

During the Server Slam, players will receive rewards that carry over into the official release of Marathon. This is not only an incentive to keep playing and stress testing the servers, but also a thank you from Bungie for helping shape the game. Rewards range from unique emblems and backgrounds, to in-game equipment and weapons.

Below is a list of Server Slam rewards and their unlock requirements:

Complete your first mission: Standard Arrival Cache

• 6x Standard implants
• 4x Standard Runner shell cores
• 6x Standard weapon chip mods
• 1x Overrun and 1x Hardline weapon

Reach Runner Level 10: Enhanced Arrival Cache (Green)

• 6x Enhanced implants
• 2x Enhanced Runner shell cores for each shell (12x total)
• 4x Enhanced weapon chip mods
• 1x Enhanced Magnum and 1x Enhanced Hardline weapons

Reach Runner Level 30: Deluxe Arrival Cache (Blue)

• 3x Deluxe and Enhanced implants (6x total)
• 2x Deluxe and Enhanced weapon chip mods (4x total)
• 1x Deluxe Magnum and 1x Enhanced Volley Rifle
• 1x Deluxe Base Backpack

What to expect in the Marathon Server Slam

As with most previews or tests, the Server Slam won’t give you full game access. However, Bungie has confirmed that it’ll provide enough content to get comfortable and learn the game. Bungie will also release Season 1 content soon after launch, they’ve also detailed some of it for us too.

The Server Slam will include:

• Two zones, Perimeter (entry-level outskirts) and Dire Marsh (Research Hub)
• Early starter contracts for five of the six Marathon factions (Available factions: Arachne, CyberAcme, MIDA, NuCaloric and Traxus) – you can experience some of the progression trees in each available faction during the test
• Five of the six Runner shells that’ll be available on launch (Assassin, Destroyer, Recon, Triage and Vandal). You’ll also be able to use the Rook Runner shell, exclusively used for Solo queue mid-raid scavenging
• Proximity chat and team-based matchmaking
• Use of faction vendors and various weapons and equipment

Post-Server Slam Season 1 content

You can look forward to seeing the following content drop soon after the March 5, 2026 release date:

• Sixth Runner shell, the Thief
• Sixth Faction, Sekiguchi Genetics, full progression, contracts and upgrades
• Ranked mode
• And more we do not currently know

Marathon’s Tau Ceti IV world is a hostile one, be prepared, Runner, as it’s about to get dangerous.

Make sure to keep up to date with us and check back for Marathon news, guides and more. We’ll have a host of tools available such as Interactive Maps for the Marathon release date!

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