If anything can be taken from the chaos yesterday regarding pre-orders for the PlayStation 5, it is that the next generation of consoles are in high demand and there may not be enough supply to meet consumer interest. While there is little that Microsoft can do around meeting an overwhelming demand at launch, they clearly are taking advantage of the situation to give Xbox Afficionados the best chance of pre-ordering an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console when orders open on 22 September 2020.
Beginning 22 September 2020, both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will open for pre-orders. It is all well and good about dates… but where and when precisely should you get your card out and snipe yourself a console? Microsoft has provided the below summary, answering that exact question:
United States (8AM PT)
Microsoft Store, Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, Newegg, and other participating retailers
Canada (8AM PT)
Microsoft Store, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, EB Games, The Source, and other participating retailers
UK (8AM BST)
Microsoft Store, GAME, Amazon, Dixons, Currys PC World, Argos, John Lewis, Smyths Toys, VERY, AO, Tesco, Simply Game, Shopto and other participating retailers
Europe, Middle East and Africa (9AM CEST)
Microsoft Store, Amazon, MediaMarkt, GameStop, FNAC, Elkjøp/Elgiganten, and other participating retailers. Retailers and availability may differ by country.
Australia (8AM AEST)
Microsoft Store, JB Hifi, EB Games, Telstra, Harvey Norman, and other participating retailers
New Zealand (8AM NZST)
Microsoft Store, JB HiFi, EB Games, Spark, and other participating retailers
If you don’t want to buy the console outright and instead wish to take advantage of Microsoft’s Xbox All Access program, the following pre-order locations and start times are confirmed. Do note that this offer is being offered through very specific retailers, and you will not (at this time) be able to subscribe to the service anywhere else:
United States (8AM PT)
Best Buy, GameStop, Microsoft Store, and Walmart
Australia (8AM AEST)
Telstra
New Zealand (8AM NZST)
Spark
UK (8AM BST)
GAME and Smyths Toys
Denmark (9AM CEST)
Elgiganten
Finland (9AM CEST)
Gigantti
Norway (9AM CEST)
Elkjøp
Sweden (9AM CEST)
Elgiganten
Regardless of which version of the Xbox Series X|S you purchase, launch copies will be available from 10 November 2020. If you miss out on a launch console, consult your local retailer about estimated dates for a second wave of consoles becoming available.
