he following is a step-by-step process for entering the Battlegrounds queue system. The Battlegrounds are instanced, and have a limit as to how many players can enter, though this number is unique for each Battleground. Thus, this system allows players to play in whichever Battleground they choose, or join their friends in a specific Battleground instance.

1. You have three options for joining a Battleground:
   • open up your PvP menu (hit 'h') and select Battlegrounds tab at the bottom,
   • you can visit a Battlemaster, or
   • travel to the Battleground's main entrance (for 3 original battlegrounds).

   Battleground Queue From Anywhere
   Players can now queue for Battlegrounds from anywhere in the world via the Battleground tab in the PvP section of the interface. Once the match is complete, players will be returned to the location where they entered it from.
   
   

   • Queue for any available Battleground from anywhere in the world.
   • Players must be out of combat in order to enter the Battleground.
   • Automatically return to the location you left when the Battleground ends.
   
   
   Talk to a Battlemaster
   Located in all major cities, right-clicking on a battlemaster will allow your character to enter a battleground queue just like you normally would if you touched that battleground's entrance portal. The functionality is exactly the same, so when it's your character's time to enter the chosen battleground, you will be teleported directly in. Guards in their respective cities can give you directions on how to find them.

   Visit the Battleground
   You can join the Battleground queue by running into a swirling red portal. Alliance can only go into the Alliance portal, and Horde only into the Horde portal. Each faction will have their own entrance, protected by NPCs.

2. Once you run into the red portal, a dialogue box appears with the following:

   

   • Join as Group - Party or Raid leaders can select "Join as Group" to put their whole group into the same queue as the leader, overwriting each member's previous Battleground queue status. Group members may choose another queue afterwards.
   • Join Battle - Places the individual in the Battleground queue, regardless of party or raid status.
   • First Available - You'll be placed into a Battleground wherever there's an open spot, whether it's to start a new instance or fill up one that hasn't reached its capacity. Joining the queue alone using the "First Available" option will get you into the Battlegrounds more quickly than grouping and using the "Join as Group" option.
   • Selecting a specific instance (ex. Warsong Gulch 2) - If an Alliance group and a Horde group want to be placed against each other, this is the best way to do it. However, the instance is given out on a first-come-first-served basis, so there's no guarantee that groups can be matched up against each other. Also note that queue times may be significantly increased when selecting a specific instance.

3. After you select an option, you are placed in the queue, and a battle standard icon will attach itself to the lower left area of your minimap, letting you know your queue status. By right clicking this icon, you can either change the instance you want to join, or leave the queue completely.

4. While you are in a queue, you are free to go wherever and do whatever you want. You do not have to remain in a certain area. Once you are ready to join, you will be teleported into the Battleground from any location in the world.

   

5. When it is your turn to join the Battleground, a popup dialogue box will appear asking whether you are ready to join, or if you want to temporarily hide the dialogue box. If you click "Hide", you will be given one minute to choose whether to join the battle, or leave the queue system completely. Again, these options will be available through the battle standard icon.