Ah, the preseason of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in 2026. It's that magical time of year when Sledgehammer Games dangles shiny, exclusive cosmetics in front of us like a cat toy for a particularly determined kitten, and we, the players, proceed to chase them with the grace and coordination of a giraffe on roller skates. I've spent the last few weeks diving headfirst into these week-long fiestas, and let me tell you, it's been a journey of sweat, questionable life choices, and an unhealthy obsession with animated weapon camos. Compared to the labyrinthine events of old, these preseason shindigs are refreshingly straightforward—you can basically wrap them up in the time it takes to watch a Lord of the Rings movie (the extended edition, mind you, we're not savages). Whether you're a core Multiplayer purist or a Zombies enthusiast who enjoys mowing down the undead, there's something here for everyone, and I'm here to break down my glorious, often absurd, path to loot.

So, how do these preseason events actually work? It's simpler than explaining quantum physics to a goldfish. From any lobby menu, you just mosey on over to the "Events" tab. Clicking on the active event is like opening a treasure map, showing you a neat little reward track, the XP you need to grind, and any fancy operator skins on offer. The key thing to remember? Each event lasts exactly one week. Miss it, and those rewards vanish faster than my motivation on a Monday morning, becoming as unobtainable as a polite conversation in a random multiplayer lobby. So far in the 2026 preseason, we've had a few of these week-long parties. Here's a quick look at the lineup:

Now, earning rewards for the first two events was a beautiful, mindless grind. Unlike some CoD events that require you to solve riddles written in ancient Aramaic, these preseason goodies are earned purely through match XP. No special currencies, no complex challenges—just you, your weapon of choice, and a mountain of XP to climb. It's as straightforward as a brick to the face, and I mean that in the best way possible. A crucial tip: this tracks account XP, not weapon XP. So, dig out those dusty XP boosters from the back of your digital closet and use them! They're like nitrous for your progress bar. Even if you're already at the max level, you can still earn XP for the event. Don't just sit there!

My go-to strategy for farming XP was to dive into MWZ (Modern Warfare Zombies). Completing contracts there is like hitting the XP jackpot on a slot machine that only pays out in experience points. It's easily the most efficient method. But if the thought of another zombie horde makes you want to nap, Hardcore Kill Confirmed is a solid, if slightly more chaotic, alternative. Running around collecting dog tags in that mode feels like trying to herd caffeinated squirrels, but it gets the job done.

Then came the 141 Training Week. This event was a different beast entirely, as unpredictable as a penguin with a jetpack. Instead of the comforting, monotonous grind of XP, you had to complete specific Multiplayer or Zombies challenges. The good news? For each reward, you could choose to do either the MP or the MWZ challenge. You didn't have to do both, which was a blessing for my sanity. Complete five of these challenges, and the glorious Soft Target camo was yours. Some of these challenges had me doing things I never thought I'd do, like getting melee kills with Covert Sneakers equipped. I felt less like a special forces operative and more like a particularly aggressive mime.

Let's talk loot! The reward tracks for these events were a cornucopia of digital goodies. Here’s what was on offer, and my personal commentary on the grind:

Endowment: True Legends Rewards:

This was the first grind, a steady climb towards the Brave Stripes camo. The XP requirements started gentle but ramped up like a rollercoaster designed by a mad scientist.

• Emblematic – Sticker (10,000 XP): The appetizer.

• Double XP Token – 1 Hour (21,600 XP): The fuel for the rest of the journey.

• Always Forward – Sticker (35,000 XP): A moral support sticker.

• Double Weapon XP Token – 1 Hour (50,700 XP): More fuel!

• Got Your Back – Charm (68,800 XP): A cute little trinket for my gun.

• Stacked – Sticker (89,800 XP): At this point, I felt anything but "stacked."

• Anthem – Emblem (114,100 XP): My emblem of perseverance.

• Flanked – Calling Card (142,400 XP): Probably how I died 90% of the time earning this.

• Double Battle Pass XP Token – 1 Hour (175,200 XP): The final boost.

• Brave Stripes – Camo (213,200 XP): The grand prize! Getting it felt like finally solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded.

Makarov's Return Rewards:

The grind continued with a villainous theme. The Makarov camo at the end was the goal, a dark and animated beauty.

• Konni Group – Sticker (10,000 XP): Showing my allegiance to the bad guys, temporarily.

• Double XP Token – 1 Hour (21,600 XP): Here we go again.

• Rebreather Retriever – Sticker (35,000 XP): For all my underwater exploits (which were zero).

• Double Weapon XP Token – 1 Hour (50,700 XP): Yawn, more grinding.

• Don't Drink This – Charm (68,800 XP): Solid life advice, really.

• No Russian – Sticker (89,800 XP): An iconic, if dark, reference.

• We Are Konni – Emblem (114,100 XP): We are indeed.

• Chaos And Movement – Calling Card (142,400 XP): This perfectly described my gameplay style.

• Double Battle Pass XP Token – 1 Hour (175,200 XP): The home stretch.

• Makarov – Camo (213,200 XP): Securing this felt as satisfying as finally untangling a giant knot of Christmas lights.

141 Training Week Rewards:

This was the challenge-based event, a welcome change of pace that felt less like mindless farming and more like a bizarre obstacle course. The rewards were earned by completing specific tasks, which was like following a recipe written by a chef who may or may not have been hit in the head recently.

In the end, the 2026 preseason of Modern Warfare 3 was a blast. These events were the perfect blend of accessible and rewarding, a far cry from the convoluted systems of the past. They respected my time while still giving me a reason to log in every day. Unlocking those final camos—the Brave Stripes, the Makarov, and the Soft Target—felt like genuine accomplishments. My guns have never looked better, shimmering with the sweat and tears (mostly sweat) of my labor. It was a grind, sure, but one that felt more like a fun weekend project and less like a second job. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go stare at my newly adorned arsenal. It's a beautiful thing, like a peacock that's also a fully automatic rifle. 🎮🔫✨