Battlefield 6 Open Beta Weekend 2 Kicks Off: Playlist Updates, Custom Search, and Start Times You Need to Know

[August 14, 2025 | Earthtechy Gaming News Desk]

If you’re a Battlefield 6 fan, you’ve got a reason to suit up again. After the blockbuster success of Open Beta Weekend 1, which drew over half a million concurrent players on Steam, DICE is back with Weekend 2 starting Thursday, August 14, at 8am UTC (1am PT / 4am EDT / 9am BST). I can’t wait to jump in, and if you’re planning to join, you’re in for some exciting updates that directly respond to player feedback.

What’s New in Weekend 2? Playlist Variety Is the Star

DICE has made a bold move by shaking up the playlists. They’re rotating multiple modes across the Open Beta to give you more control and variety. Here’s the big takeaway: the All-Out Warfare playlist now includes Breakthrough, Conquest, and Rush, meaning epic battles across large maps are finally matched with a rotation that keeps the action fresh.

As DICE explains:

“During Week 2, we’re delivering more variety and choice for how you’d like to play with more playlists rotating between multiple different game modes.”

This rotation isn’t random—it’s designed to help DICE understand what players enjoy the most, which ultimately shapes the final launch experience. You’ll notice daily changes in playlists, but this system is beta-specific, so don’t expect this same rotation on the official release day.

Here’s how the daily rotation breaks down:

• Day 1 (Thursday, Aug 14): Conquest, Rush, Attack & Defend (Breakthrough, Rush), Close Quarters (Domination, King of the Hill), Closed Weapons All-Out Warfare (Conquest, Breakthrough)
• Day 2 (Friday, Aug 15): Conquest, Squad Deathmatch, Close Quarters (Domination, King of the Hill, Squad Deathmatch), All-Out Warfare (Conquest, Breakthrough, Rush), Closed Weapons All-Out Warfare (Conquest, Breakthrough)
• Day 3–4 (Saturday–Sunday, Aug 16–17): Conquest, Close Quarters (Domination, King of the Hill, Squad Deathmatch), All-Out Warfare (Conquest, Breakthrough, Rush), Closed Weapons All-Out Warfare (Conquest, Breakthrough)

You can see that whether you’re into fast-paced small maps or epic, large-scale warfare, there’s something for every type of player. Personally, I’m excited to dive into Close Quarters for that nonstop action—especially if you love quick reflex gunfights.

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Custom Search Is the Game-Changer

Now, let’s talk about something many of you have been asking for: server control. While DICE isn’t officially giving us a full Server Browser just yet, they’ve introduced Custom Search, which is basically your new best friend for beta matchmaking.

Here’s the deal:

“Based on your previous feedback and to give you more control over map and mode selection, we’re introducing a new feature called Custom Search.”

This means you can now pick your preferred map and mode combinations. Want to play Conquest on Siege of Cairo? Custom Search will prioritize matchmaking for that combo if a match is available. It’s not a full server browser, but it’s a huge step forward in giving players control.

Currently, Custom Search is available for Open Weapon mode playlists during the beta. So while you won’t see it in every playlist just yet, it’s a taste of the flexibility we can hope for in the full release.

For hardcore players, this is a subtle but meaningful change. Instead of relying entirely on random matchmaking, you can tailor your experience to your playstyle, which is exactly what the community has been asking for since Weekend 1.

No Full Server Browser Yet, But Hope Remains

I know what many of you are thinking—“Where’s the server browser?” Well, DICE has been careful with their wording. While Custom Search gives you more control over map and mode selection, it’s not a full Server Browser. However, the phrasing in their blog post—“which is not being tested this week”—suggests that a proper server selection feature could still appear in the final game.

For those of us who love choosing servers by player count, ping, or even vibes, this is an important detail. It’s a gentle reminder that DICE is listening to the community but is rolling out features gradually during the beta to ensure everything works smoothly.

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Other Beta Tweaks You Shouldn’t Miss

Weekend 2 isn’t just about playlists and Custom Search. DICE is also introducing quality-of-life improvements and new content that make the beta feel more polished. Here’s what I’m personally excited about:

• New Challenges: These give you fresh objectives to complete while playing, keeping the weekend interesting even if you’ve already tried the first beta.
• Empire State Map: A brand-new environment that adds tactical variety to the battles. From skyscrapers to open streets, the map changes up how you approach objectives.
• Infantry-Only Modes: For those of you frustrated with slow “time-to-kill” pacing, these modes let you enjoy faster, more focused gunfights—almost like a Battlefield-meets-Call-of-Duty experience.

Plus, DICE is actively addressing cheating issues. They’ve already dealt with hundreds of thousands of cheaters in the beta, which means your matches should feel fairer and more competitive this weekend.

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Why Weekend 2 Matters for Launch

If you’re wondering why all these tweaks matter, here’s the inside scoop: Weekend 2 is a testing ground for the full Battlefield 6 launch in October. DICE is using the beta to see which playlists, maps, and modes players enjoy the most, so the launch version will reflect community preferences.

I think this is exciting because it shows DICE isn’t just releasing the game—they’re shaping it with our feedback. The daily playlist rotation, new map, challenges, and Custom Search all feed into a bigger goal: making Battlefield 6 the best possible experience from day one.

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How to Join the Open Beta

Joining is straightforward if you’re on PC, but there’s a key requirement you shouldn’t miss: Secure Boot must be enabled. Without it, you won’t be able to jump into the beta.

Here’s a quick reminder of the beta dates and times:

• Start: Thursday, Aug 14, 8am UTC / 1am PT / 4am EDT / 9am BST
• End: Sunday, Aug 17

If you haven’t tried Battlefield 6 yet, this weekend is your chance to see what all the hype is about and experience the game before its October launch.

Read More: Fae Farm Online Co-Op Shutting Down on Steam September 10 — Single-Player Will Stay Playable

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Final Thoughts

Honestly, Weekend 2 feels like a big step forward for Battlefield 6. Between the expanded playlists, Custom Search, new challenges, and Empire State map, there’s more control and variety than ever before.

If you’re a fan of large-scale battles, strategic team play, or just want to test the waters before launch, I highly recommend jumping into the beta. Trust me—you don’t want to miss out on the epic moments and fan-favorite modes that are shaping the future of Battlefield 6.