Bungie Marathon Server Slam: How to Download, Play, Earn Rewards, and Prepare for March 5 Launch
FINAL HOURS ALERT: The Bungie Marathon Server Slam is in its final stretch and closes Monday, March 2, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET — that is less than 24 hours away. If you have not downloaded and played yet, now is the time. The full Marathon game launches globally on March 5, 2026, and the rewards you earn this weekend carry over directly into that launch.
What Is the Marathon Server Slam and Why It Matters
The Marathon Server Slam is an open preview weekend hosted by Bungie ahead of Marathon's full launch on March 5, 2026. It is not a typical closed beta or invite-only event. Anyone can join by downloading the free Server Slam build from Steam, the PlayStation Store, or the Microsoft Store.
The event serves two purposes simultaneously. For Bungie, it is a technical stress test designed to push Marathon's global server infrastructure at full scale for the very first time before launch. For players, it is a hands-on preview of the game with tangible rewards waiting on the other side.
The Server Slam offers an introduction to Marathon's gameplay with a limited selection of maps, Runner shells, and contracts. Additional maps, factions, contracts, gear, and more to come at launch and during Season 1.
Marathon Server Slam Start Time and End Time: ET Breakdown
The free Marathon Server Slam test kicked off on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam from February 26, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT to March 2 at 10 a.m. PT. In Eastern Time, that translates to a start of 1:00 p.m. ET on February 26 and a close of 1:00 p.m. ET on Monday, March 2, 2026.
The Marathon Server Slam will not require PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass to participate. It is also part of Xbox's Free Play Days and Steam Next Fest.
How to Download the Marathon Server Slam Right Now
On PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Steam, search for "Marathon Server Slam" in your platform's store and select the free open preview client — not the full game listing. Download and install the Server Slam build. Link your platform account to Bungie.net so your Arrival Caches and cosmetic rewards can be delivered to your account at launch on March 5.
There was no preload before the start time. The Marathon Server Slam build is a separate download from the full game, so you need to search specifically for the Server Slam listing on your storefront. If the storefront page loads slowly due to high demand, wait a few minutes and retry rather than refreshing repeatedly.
What to Play in the Marathon Server Slam: Maps, Factions, and Runners
Five of the six launch Runner Shells are playable during the Server Slam: Assassin, Destroyer, Recon, Triage, and Vandal. The free scavenger experience Rook is also available. The sixth shell, Thief, is not available during the Server Slam and arrives with the full launch. There is no Ranked mode available during the Server Slam.
Early contracts for five of Marathon's six launch factions are accessible throughout the weekend: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne. Two additional zones, Outpost and Cryo Archive, arrive with the full launch and Season 1 on March 5.
All Marathon Server Slam Rewards That Carry Over to Launch
Log in during the event window, complete the introductory mission, and push to Runner Levels 10 and 30 to unlock all three Arrival Caches. Your character level and raw loot from the Server Slam are wiped, but Bungie converts your progress into three Arrival Cache bundles that wait in your mailbox at launch — packed with implants, cores, mods, weapons, and a backpack. By participating in the Server Slam, you also earn a unique emblem to commemorate your participation and a player banner tied to the event.
You do not need to play Marathon to earn rewards during the Server Slam weekend. Bungie has set up Twitch Drops so that watching any eligible Marathon stream during the event earns you cosmetics for launch. Five rewards are available across the full Server Slam window — you need four total hours of watch time to claim everything. Twitch Drops may take up to 48 hours to arrive in your in-game mailbox after claiming and must be redeemed by March 31, 2026.
Marathon Launch Date: March 5, 2026 — What Is Coming at Full Release
PlayStation Plus members receive a trio of exclusive weapon charms paying homage to Helldivers 2, Death Stranding 2, and Ghost of Yōtei — redeemable via the PlayStation Plus Exclusive Packs page once Marathon launches on March 5.
Bungie is transparent that the Server Slam will not run as smoothly as the full launch. The entire point of the event is to stress the servers, which means instability is expected and intentional. Bungie will monitor the event actively and post status updates through the Marathon Official Discord and the Bungie Server Status page. Get in before 1:00 p.m. ET Monday and lock in every reward before the window closes for good.
