SBMM is one of the most debated topics in Call of Duty, and Modern Warfare 4 is no different. Players want to know going in: will every lobby feel like a tryout, or is there some breathing room?
Here’s the straight answer — and what’s actually going on with matchmaking at launch.
- TL;DR
- Yes, MW4 has SBMM. Skill is one of several factors used to build your lobby.
- However, connection quality and time-to-match are weighted more heavily than skill.
- The MW4 Beta tested both Standard matchmaking and Open Matchmaking (low-SBMM) playlists.
- At full launch on October 23, Open Matchmaking playlists are not available — only the Standard system.
- You cannot turn SBMM off — there is no toggle or setting.
- Infinity Ward has not confirmed if or when Open playlists will return to the full game.
Does Modern Warfare 4 Have SBMM?
Yes. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 features Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) in its Multiplayer modes. SBMM is the system where players are placed into lobbies against others with a similar skill level. It takes into account players’ average skill levels from previous matches and compares them with those of other players to find a suitable match.
That said, SBMM in MW4 is not purely about skill. Activision has been clear that skill is just one piece of a larger matchmaking puzzle — and not the most important one.
How Does SBMM Work in MW4?
Activision has officially explained how its matchmaking system prioritizes factors. According to their matchmaking documentation, Call of Duty’s matchmaking algorithms are composed of multiple factors: Connection, Playlist Diversity, Recent Maps and Modes, Time to Match, Skill and Performance, and Platform. Connection sits at the top of the priority list, and “Ping is King” is how Activision framed it.
In plain terms, the system works roughly like this:
- Connection first. Your ping and server quality are the most heavily weighted factor. A well-matched lobby on a bad connection is worse than a decent lobby on a clean one — so the game prioritizes a smooth match over a perfectly balanced one.
- Time to match second. The system is constantly tweaked to give players as little time waiting for a match as possible. The longer you wait in queue, the more the system widens its skill parameters to fill your lobby faster.
- Skill alongside other factors. Your recent performance — kills, deaths, objective play — influences where you’re placed, but it’s balanced against all the other variables above.
Activision’s official framing is that connection quality and time-to-match are the most heavily weighted factors, with skill sitting among “various other factors” that shape a lobby.
One thing Activision has confirmed: player engagement time (time played) isn’t a factor when it comes to matchmaking, nor is the amount of money a player has spent on bundles and skins. Your cosmetics don’t affect your lobbies.
MW4 Beta: Open Matchmaking Was Tested
Before launch, MW4’s Beta introduced something players had been asking for: Open Matchmaking playlists, also called Open Moshpit. Activision confirmed that the MW4 Beta would test two different approaches — its updated matchmaking system and an Open Matchmaking option where skill was only minimally considered when building lobbies.
The beta was essentially a live data experiment. In its own statement, Activision said the new system showed “strong improvements,” and that Open Matchmaking “will also be available so we can keep learning from both.” The goal was to gather real player data from both approaches before deciding what the full launch would use.
The Open Moshpit playlists in the beta ran alongside the Standard matchmaking system — they weren’t a replacement. Players could choose which type of lobby they wanted to queue into.
Does MW4 Have Open Matchmaking at Launch?
No — not yet. As of the launch of Modern Warfare 4 on October 23, there is currently no Open Matchmaking in the game. There is also no form of Classic Matchmaking. This leaves players having to contend with the default SBMM system across all Multiplayer playlists.
In July 2026, the official Call of Duty account confirmed that Open playlists would remain available in Black Ops 7 and that Modern Warfare 4’s upcoming beta would also feature Open playlist options. However, there is an important distinction: Activision’s original commitment specifically mentioned the Modern Warfare 4 beta, not necessarily the full game’s launch.
This is a key point. The promise was for the beta. It was never a confirmed launch feature for the full game. At the time of writing, Infinity Ward and Activision have not issued a statement addressing the missing Open playlists at launch. As a result, it’s unclear whether the option will be added to Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer in a future update.
Can You Turn Off SBMM in MW4?
No. There is no setting, toggle, or menu option to disable skill-based matchmaking in MW4 — and there never has been in any Call of Duty.
The only guaranteed way to avoid skill-matched lobbies is private matches or bot lobbies. Everything else in public playlists runs through the Standard matchmaking system.
Why Did Activision Keep SBMM?
Activision has previously justified SBMM with player retention data. Activision found that integrating skill into matchmaking improves player retention, with 80–90% of players experiencing a better match outcome.
The reasoning is that without SBMM, newer and lower-skill players get stomped consistently and quit the game entirely. Activision has already tried removing the skill factor in matchmaking, but this produced a negative gameplay experience. The data didn’t support going fully open.
That said, Activision’s data from Black Ops 7 showed that for around 80% of players, Open Matchmaking produced worse results than Standard Matchmaking in several areas. That’s part of why the Standard system returned as the default at MW4 launch.
What About Ranked Play?
Ranked Play in Modern Warfare 4 uses an explicit, visible MMR-based ladder with rank divisions — it is a separate, skill-tiered system distinct from public SBMM. If you want to compete with a visible rank and face opponents purely based on skill, Ranked Play is designed for that. Public lobbies are built around the multi-factor system described above.
Will Open Matchmaking Come Back to MW4?
It’s possible, but unconfirmed. Infinity Ward tested it in the beta, collected the data, and chose to launch without it. Infinity Ward said they would be transparent about SBMM and are analyzing all the data from Black Ops 7’s open matchmaking. Whether that analysis leads to Open playlists being added post-launch remains to be seen.
For now, the best approach is to watch for official announcements from Infinity Ward. If Open Matchmaking returns as a playlist option, it will likely be patched in during a seasonal update.
Tips for Dealing With SBMM in MW4
- Play off-peak hours. At off-peak times, the system widens its net to fill a lobby quickly — which naturally loosens the skill match. It’s not a guarantee, but time-of-day does shift lobby composition.
- Don’t reverse boost. Any form of boosting or reverse boosting can lead to being placed in Limited Matchmaking lobbies or receiving a potential temporary or permanent ban. It’s not worth the risk and doesn’t work the way people think.
- Play with a party. Mixed-skill parties can shift lobby composition slightly, as the system tries to account for the group’s average level.
- Focus on improving. SBMM adjusts based on recent performance, so a losing streak will naturally ease you into more balanced lobbies. Consistency matters more than grinding for stats.
- Use Ranked Play if you want skill-based competition. If you’re a high-skill player and want to compete against people at your level with visible rankings, Ranked Play is built for that.
Struggling in lobbies? Building a better loadout helps. Check the full MW4 Weapons unlock guide and the MW4 Camo Challenges guide to level up your weapons and unlock better attachment options.
Get MW4 on Steam, PlayStation Store, or the Xbox Store.
More MW4 Guides
- All MW4 Boot Camp Event Rewards and Challenges
- How to Unlock All MW4 Weapons
- All Camo Challenges in MW4
- How to Unlock All Killstreaks in MW4
- How to Play MW4 Multiplayer Early — New Zealand Method
- MW4 Solo and Multiplayer Guide
- All MW4 Campaign Rewards
- MW4 DMZ: All Story Missions and Rewards
- Does MW4 Have Zombies?
- MW4 Warzone Carry Forward Content Guide
