Crazy Taxi: World Tour Network Test Dates and Signup

SEGA has locked in the Crazy Taxi: World Tour network test dates for September 11-13, 2026, and the signup window closes August 31. If you want hands-on time with the new online multiplayer modes before the 2027 launch, the next 72 hours are your only shot. This guide breaks down the exact schedule, the application process, and the platform-specific steps that most players miss. If you want hands-on time with the new online multiplayer modes before the 2027 launch, the next 72 hours are your only shot. This guide breaks down the exact schedule, the application process, and the platform-specific steps that most players miss, and once you’ve confirmed your beta access, check how the Crazy Taxi World Tour Cross Platform lobbies handle party invites across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC so you can squad up without last-minute surprises.

What the Network Test Actually Covers

The closed network test is not a full demo of the single-player campaign. SEGA is using this window to stress-test the online infrastructure, which means the build is focused entirely on two competitive modes: Pickup Race and Cops 'N' Cabbies. Both modes support up to six players in a single lobby, and both can be launched through either Ranked Match or Custom Match queues. The official site describes Pickup Race as a fare-drop competition where drivers race to complete the most passenger drop-offs before the timer expires. Cops 'N' Cabbies flips the formula by assigning one team to evade and another to pursue, though SEGA has kept the exact scoring rules under wraps until the test goes live.

Platform Support and Crossplay Scope

One of the most important details for your signup decision is the crossplay structure. The test supports PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via both Steam and the Xbox app. According to the official Crazy Taxi: World Tour website, cross-play is enabled across all three platforms during the test window, which means a PlayStation player can match against someone on Steam without any extra configuration. This is a significant shift from previous Crazy Taxi entries, which were locked to individual console ecosystems.

The absence of Nintendo Switch 2 from this test is notable. SEGA confirmed the game will launch on that platform in 2027, but the network test is scoped to the three ecosystems that already have mature crossplay tooling. If you are a Switch-only player, you will need to wait for either an open beta closer to launch or the full release.

The Signup Deadline and Application Process

The Crazy Taxi: World Tour network test application window closes on August 31, 2026, which gives you less than four days from the time of this writing to complete the process. SEGA has not announced whether late applications will be accepted, and community reports from previous SEGA tests suggest that late submissions are almost always rejected. Do not assume you can submit on September 1.

Step-by-Step SEGA Account Registration

The application flow requires a SEGA Account, which is separate from your platform account. If you have played any recent SEGA title with online features — such as Phantasy Star Online 2 or Sonic Frontiers — you may already have one. If not, the registration takes about five minutes.

1. Visit the official Crazy Taxi: World Tour network test signup page linked from the official website.

2. Create or log into your SEGA Account using a valid email address.

3. Select your primary platform from the dropdown: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC (Steam or Xbox app).

4. Link your platform account by authenticating through the corresponding service — PSN, Xbox Live, or Steam.

5. Confirm your region and preferred language, then submit the application.

6. Watch your email for a confirmation message. SEGA sends a verification email within 24 hours, and you must click the link inside to finalize your entry.

One detail that trips up many applicants is the platform account linking step. You cannot apply with a generic SEGA Account alone; the system must see a valid linked platform ID to assign a test key. If you skip the linking step or authenticate with the wrong account, your application will be marked incomplete and discarded. Double-check the email address on your platform account matches the one you used for SEGA registration.

What Happens After You Apply

Selection is not guaranteed. SEGA has not published the number of available slots, but the network test is described as a closed test, which means capacity is limited. Based on community data from the Crazy Taxi: World Tour network test application discussions on Reddit and Discord, invitations are typically sent in waves starting approximately one week before the test begins. If you are selected, you will receive a platform-specific code by email. PlayStation players redeem their code through the PlayStation Store, Xbox players through the Microsoft Store, and Steam players through the standard Steam key redemption flow.

Test Schedule, Time Zones, and Session Windows

The Crazy Taxi: World Tour network test dates span a 48-hour window. The servers open at 5 p.m. PDT on September 11 and close at 5 p.m. PDT on September 13. For players in other regions, that translates to a specific local start time that you should plan around. The test is not split into separate regional sessions; it is one continuous global window, which means your matchmaking pool will include players from every supported region during peak hours.

European players should note that the test effectively starts in the early morning hours of September 12. If you are in the UK or mainland Europe, your practical playable window is Saturday morning through Sunday evening. Do not expect to log in at 6 p.m. local time on September 11 and find active servers — the test has not started yet in your region.

Ranked vs. Custom Match During the Test

SEGA is intentionally testing both queue types to gather data on matchmaking stability. Ranked Match uses a hidden skill-based matchmaking system that will pair you with players of similar performance after your first few matches. Custom Match allows you to create or join lobbies with specific settings, including map selection, mode selection, and lobby privacy. Community reports from the earlier closed alpha suggest that Custom Match is the better option for testing specific mechanics with friends, while Ranked Match is the stress-test target for SEGA's infrastructure team.

Steam Multiplayer Setup Notes

For players entering through Crazy Taxi: World Tour Steam multiplayer, there is one additional step that console players do not face. The Steam build requires you to opt into the test branch through the game's properties menu after redeeming your key. SEGA will send a separate email to Steam testers with the branch access code, which must be entered in the Betas tab of the Steam client. Without this step, the game will not appear in your library, even if your key was accepted. The Crazy Taxi: World Tour Steam page confirms that the test build is distributed through this branch system rather than a separate store listing.

Crossplay Verification and Known Issues

Because this is a network test, crossplay is the headline feature SEGA wants to validate. The test supports Crazy Taxi: World Tour PlayStation crossplay with Xbox and PC, meaning you can party up with friends across platforms if you use the in-game friend system rather than platform-level invites. SEGA has not confirmed whether the test includes voice chat across platforms, and community expectations are that it will be disabled or limited to text-based quick messages for this build.

What SEGA Is Looking For

The primary data SEGA wants from this test is server stability under load, crossplay matchmaking latency, and mode balance feedback. When you finish a match, you may see an in-game survey prompt asking for specific feedback on connection quality and mode satisfaction. Filling these out is genuinely useful, because the development team reads this data directly. The Polygon coverage of the network test notes that SEGA has framed this as an infrastructure test first and a content preview second.

If you encounter a bug, use the official feedback form rather than posting only to social media. SEGA's test team monitors the in-game reporting tool and the official Discord, but unstructured Reddit threads rarely reach the developers in time to affect the 2027 launch build.

Preparing for the Test Window

With only 48 hours of server uptime, you should plan your sessions in advance. The test window overlaps with a weekend, which means peak hours will be Friday evening through Saturday night in North America. If your goal is to evaluate the crossplay experience specifically, schedule your playtime during overlapping regional peak hours — for example, early afternoon Pacific time on Saturday, which catches evening hours in Europe and late evening in Japan.

Setting Up Before September 11

There are a few practical steps you can complete now to avoid wasting test time on setup. First, make sure your platform account is in good standing. If you have any outstanding bans or restrictions on your PSN, Xbox, or Steam account, your test key will not work. Second, verify that your SEGA Account email is one you actively monitor, because SEGA sends test keys and branch codes to that address. Third, free up at least 20 GB of storage on your target platform, as the test build is not a streaming title and requires a full download.

The Crazy Taxi: World Tour network test September window is short, and download times will eat into your playable hours if you wait until the servers go live. SEGA typically sends keys 48-72 hours before the test starts, which gives you a preload window on PlayStation and Xbox. Steam testers may need to wait until the branch unlocks on September 11 before the download becomes available, depending on how SEGA stages the rollout.

Matching With Friends Across Platforms

If you want to test crossplay with a specific group, coordinate your platform choices in advance. The in-game friend system pulls from your linked SEGA Account, not your platform friend list. This means you need to exchange SEGA Account IDs with your friends before the test starts. There is no way to search for a friend's PSN or Steam ID directly from within the test build. Set up a group chat outside the game, share your SEGA IDs, and add each other through the test's social menu once you are all in a lobby.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly do the Crazy Taxi: World Tour network test dates start and end?

The test runs from 5 p.m. PDT on September 11 through 5 p.m. PDT on September 13, 2026. It is one continuous 48-hour global window with no regional session splits, so players in all supported regions share the same server uptime.

Do I need a SEGA Account to apply for the network test?

Yes, a SEGA Account is mandatory for the application. You must also link a valid PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam account to your SEGA Account during the signup process. Applications without a linked platform ID are automatically marked incomplete and will not receive a test key.

Is PlayStation crossplay available during the network test?

Yes, Crazy Taxi: World Tour PlayStation crossplay is enabled across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC during the test. Cross-platform party invites work through the in-game friend system, which pulls from your linked SEGA Account rather than your platform-level friends list.

How do I access the Steam multiplayer test build after getting a key?

Steam testers must redeem their key, then opt into a beta branch through the game's properties menu in the Steam client. SEGA sends a separate email with the branch access code. The Crazy Taxi: World Tour Steam page confirms this distribution method.

What happens if I miss the August 31 signup deadline?

Missing the August 31 signup deadline means you are locked out of the September 11–13 closed network test — SEGA has not announced a second application window, and late submissions are rejected. Your next chance would be a potential open beta before the 2027 launch.