Alright, CoD fans — get ready, because it sounds like DMZ might not be dead after all. A new wave of leaks is making the rounds, and if they’re to be believed, Call of Duty’s extraction-based mode could be making a comeback in 2026 — and this time, with a big twist: a social hub similar to WW2’s Headquarters.
Let’s break it all down.
A Quick Recap: What Was DMZ?
If you missed it, DMZ was introduced back in 2022 alongside Modern Warfare 2. It was Call of Duty’s take on the PvPvE extraction shooter — think Escape from Tarkov but with that signature CoD polish and accessibility. It was free-to-play, just like Warzone, and brought a more tactical, looter-focused experience to the game.
Sounds awesome, right? Well… sort of.
Despite the hype, DMZ didn’t quite hit the same heights as Warzone did in 2020. Support quietly ended in 2023, and while the mode still technically works, it hasn’t seen any real content updates or fixes in nearly two years. For a while, it looked like Activision had pulled the plug entirely.
Related Article: Call of Duty: Warzone Ranked Fix Backfires, Disrupts Leaderboards
New Leaks Hint at a DMZ Comeback
Now here’s where it gets interesting. Rumors started popping up earlier this year suggesting that DMZ is coming back in 2026, possibly as part of Infinity Ward’s next title. That game is expected to be the next installment in the rebooted Modern Warfare series.
And now, leaker Reality has claimed that the new DMZ mode will feature a “social area” — kind of like the HQ space from Call of Duty: WW2. If you played that game, you’ll remember the HQ as a chill, player-populated area where you could hang out, open supply drops, pick up contracts, and even 1v1 other players in a small arena.
Fellow leaker TheGhostOfHope also mentioned that they’d heard about a “safe zone” on the map — a place where PvP is disabled. Basically, a spot where players can regroup, gear up, or maybe trade without getting shot in the face.
They also compared it to something similar seen in DayZ, though they admitted it’s still early and things could change before launch.
Related article: Call of Duty HQ Just Went Down Hard—Here’s What Happened
What Else We Know About Call of Duty 2026
While we wait for Black Ops 7 to officially drop, there’s been a ton of speculation about what’s next. According to leaks:
- The 2026 game will likely be titled “Modern Warfare 사” (yes, that’s the Korean character for 4).
- It may feature a storyline heavily involving North and South Korea.
- It’s also expected to drop support for PS4 and Xbox One, finally going fully next-gen.
So yeah, big changes could be on the way.
Don’t Expect Anything Confirmed Soon
Just a heads-up — all of this is still very much rumor territory. The 2026 Call of Duty title is still in development, and features like the social area could be scrapped, tweaked, or totally reworked by the time the game ships.
Still, it’s exciting to think that Activision might be giving DMZ another shot — especially if it’s with a fresh perspective and new features to support long-term play.
DMZ might not have hit its stride the first time around, but if these leaks are anything to go by, Infinity Ward’s not done with it yet. A social hub, PvE zones, safe areas — it sounds like they’re aiming to make DMZ more engaging, more replayable, and maybe even more player-friendly.
If you were one of the folks who saw the potential in DMZ back in 2022, this might be the return you’ve been hoping for.
Also read, Call of Duty: WWII on Game Pass Is Being Hit With Major PC Exploits