Call of Duty’s DMZ Mode Rumored to Return in 2026

According to a reliable insider, Call of Duty’s DMZ mode could be making a comeback in 2026. The extraction-based mode, first introduced alongside Modern Warfare 2 in 2022, allowed players to team up, complete missions, and extract with valuable loot in open-world environments. While DMZ gained moderate praise from fans and critics, Activision ended support for the mode in December 2023 with the launch of Modern Warfare 3 Season 1.

The Rise and Fall of DMZ

The DMZ mode was launched as part of Modern Warfare 2 and took inspiration from popular extraction shooters like Escape From Tarkov. It let players battle AI enemies and real opponents on maps such as Al Mazrah and Vondel, completing missions and securing rewards through successful extractions.

Despite its promising mechanics, DMZ struggled to match the success of Warzone. The extraction shooter genre, dominated by titles like Escape From Tarkov, left DMZ overshadowed. By the end of 2023, Activision redirected resources to Zombies, Warzone, and the core multiplayer modes, leaving DMZ behind.

Insider Claims DMZ Will Return in 2026

Reliable leaker TheGhostOfHope recently claimed that DMZ will return in 2026.

Hints about DMZ’s potential revival have surfaced before, including references found in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 beta files by CODWarfareForum.

While some fans are excited about its return, others remain skeptical. ModernWarzone, a prominent community voice, expressed hopes that the mode would be "more fleshed out" to compete with newer extraction shooters like Delta Force.

Delta Force, released in December 2024 for PC, has gained traction and will expand to consoles in early 2025. If Delta Force manages to capture the same level of popularity as Escape From Tarkov, Call of Duty developers will face significant competition when attempting to win over fans of the genre.

The Road Ahead for Call of Duty

Although Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is still a recent release, rumors about future entries in the franchise are already circulating:

• Call of Duty 2025: Allegedly a sequel to Black Ops 2, with Treyarch Studios retaining the omnidirectional movement system introduced in Black Ops 6.
• Call of Duty 2026: Reportedly being developed by Infinity Ward, which may either continue the rebooted Modern Warfare series or serve as a sequel to 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts.

Can DMZ Succeed in 2026?

To stand out in the competitive extraction shooter space, DMZ will need significant improvements. Fans hope for deeper mechanics, polished gameplay, and robust support to ensure the mode has staying power.

While nothing is officially confirmed, the return of DMZ would signal Activision’s commitment to diversifying the Call of Duty experience. Whether it can compete with established titles like Escape From Tarkov and emerging challengers like Delta Force remains to be seen. For now, fans can only wait to see if these rumors become reality.