Microsoft made this announcement on the official Xbox blog, along with a reminder that the Gears of War 4 beta is starting soon.  In addition to the release date, Entertainment Weekly has unveiled the official box art for the game:

Boy, did I miss the beauty that is the Lancer.  Back in March, Game Informer shed some light on the long awaited next chapter in the Gears saga. Gears of War 4 will take place 25 years after the original trilogy, and the player will take control of none other than Marcus Fenix’s son, J.D. Fenix.  All we know about the main story is that it takes place over the course of “one night in the woods,” but the Xbox blog post goes on to say:

Could we be learning more about Gears 4 and this “night in the woods” in the upcoming weeks?  The Gears of War 4 beta starts April 18th and will be open to anyone who purchased Gears of War:  Ultimate Edition, before opening to the public on April 25th.