The Duskbloods CNT Schedule — August 2026
Five four-hour PDT session windows from August 21 to August 23, plus preload from August 18 and selection on August 7.
Overview of the August 2026 sessions
The Duskbloods Closed Network Test runs five separate four-hour play windows between August 21 and August 23, 2026. Each window is a live stress test for PvPvE matchmaking on Nintendo Switch 2, with up to eight Bloodsworn per battle pursuing First Blood during the Twilight of Humanity.
Nintendo publishes session times in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Players worldwide must convert to local time—do not assume UTC offsets stay constant around daylight-saving changes. Use our session timezone tool alongside this page before you set alarms.
Full timeline: applications through sessions
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications close | July 28, 2026 (opened July 22) |
| Selection notification | August 7, 2026 |
| Preload available | From August 18, 2026 |
| Session block 1 | August 21, 2026 — 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT |
| Session block 2 | August 21, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT |
| Session block 3 | August 22, 2026 — 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PDT |
| Session block 4 | August 23, 2026 — 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT |
| Session block 5 | August 23, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT |
Each block lasts four hours. Queue early inside a window if you want multiple Dusk Battles, but respect official conduct rules about idle time or afk behaviour—policy details come from Nintendo’s CNT materials.
Pacific Daylight Time reference (official)
These are the authoritative PDT starts and ends Nintendo listed for the CNT:
- Thursday, August 21 — 3:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m. PDT
- Thursday, August 21 — 7:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. PDT
- Friday, August 22 — 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. PDT
- Saturday, August 23 — 3:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m. PDT
- Saturday, August 23 — 7:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. PDT
Notice the pattern: two late-night/early-morning blocks bookend August 21 and August 23, with a midday block on August 22. That spread helps FromSoftware observe peak concurrency across North America, Europe, and Asia without running a single continuous 72-hour server.
Converting to other time zones
PDT is UTC−7 during these dates. Examples for the first session (Aug 21, 3:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m. PDT):
| Region | Local start | Local end |
|---|---|---|
| US Eastern (EDT, UTC−4) | 6:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. |
| US Central (CDT, UTC−5) | 5:00 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. |
| UK (BST, UTC+1) | 11:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Europe (CEST, UTC+2) | 12:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| Japan (JST, UTC+9) | 7:00 p.m. | 11:00 p.m. |
| Australia Eastern (AEST, UTC+10) | 8:00 p.m. | 12:00 a.m. (next day) |
Repeat the same offset math for later sessions, or avoid manual errors with the session timezone tool. Always verify once more on August 18 after preload—Nintendo would announce any delay through official channels.
Preload timing and what to do before your window
Preload begins August 18, 2026. Install the CNT build at least several hours before your first chosen window so eShop traffic or storage checks do not eat into the four-hour block. Confirm requirements on the requirements page: Switch 2, Nintendo Account, active NSO, 17+, and matching region/language settings.
Walk through the CNT checklist after install. Log into the hub area, verify blood customisation and role choices such as Destined Rivals or Destined Companion in a safe menu pass, then queue when the session clock starts—not before Nintendo opens servers for that window.
What happens inside each session
When a window opens, matchmaking fills PvPvE battles where Victory Points decide outcomes and dynamic events can alter environments and rewards. You earn rewards after wins or losses, so staying for full matches matters even when First Blood goes to another Bloodsworn.
If you are new to objectives, read Gameplay and Bloodsworn between sessions instead of skipping straight to the next queue. For application or account issues, see how to apply and the Network Test hub.
Planning multiple windows
You do not need to play all five blocks, but attending more than one helps Nintendo test different population loads. Spread sessions across August 21–23 if your schedule allows, and note which PDT block maps to your local evening versus early morning—sleep-deprived testing still produces useful connectivity data, but plan breaks between back-to-back windows.
After the CNT ends, continue prep for the 2026 launch with the Guides hub rather than treating the test build as final balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers drawn from official Network Test and Creator’s Voice details.
How many CNT sessions are there?
There are five separate four-hour windows between August 21 and August 23, 2026. Each is scheduled in Pacific Daylight Time on the [schedule tables above](/network-test/schedule/).
What are the official PDT session times?
Aug 21: 3 a.m.–7 a.m. and 7 p.m.–11 p.m.; Aug 22: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Aug 23: 3 a.m.–7 a.m. and 7 p.m.–11 p.m. All times are PDT.
When does preload start?
Selected players could preload from August 18, 2026. Install early and confirm [requirements](/network-test/requirements/) before your first window opens.
How do I convert PDT to my time zone?
Use the [session timezone tool](/tools/session-timezone/) or add seven hours to UTC for PDT during these dates, then shift to your local offset.
Must I play every session block?
No, but joining multiple windows helps stress-test matchmaking. You still earn [rewards after wins or losses](/gameplay/) within any window you attend.