When Is the Next Fortnite Update (March 2026) Complete Schedule Guide
The next Fortnite update arrives on February 19, 2026, bringing version 39.50 with exciting new Marvel Rivals collaborations. But that’s just the beginning! Epic Games has revealed their complete 2026 roadmap, and I’m here to break down everything you need to know about upcoming updates, seasonal transitions, and the massive changes coming to Fortnite.
| Update Version | Release Date | What to Expect | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| v39.50 | February 19, 2026 | Luna Snow & Magik skins, minor bug fixes | 2-3 hours |
| v40.00 | March 5, 2026 | Chapter 7 Season 2 (Norse Theme) | 3-4 hours |
| v40.10 | March 29, 2026 | Mid-season content | 1-2 hours |
Complete 2026 Fortnite Update Schedule
Based on official Epic Games Creator roadmap data and verified leaks from trusted sources like HYPEX, here’s the comprehensive update schedule for 2026:
Major Updates Through June 2026
| Version | Date | Day | Major Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| v39.50 | February 19 | Thursday | Luna Snow & Magik Marvel Rivals collab |
| v40.00 | March 5 | Thursday | Chapter 7 Season 2 (Norse Theme) |
| v40.10 | March 29 | Sunday | Mid-season content |
| v40.20 | April 1 | Wednesday | April Fools event |
| v40.30 | April 16 | Thursday | Spring content update |
| v41.00 | April 30 | Thursday | Chapter 7 Season 3 + Star Wars event |
| May 14 | May 14 | Thursday | Regular content patch |
| June 4 | June 4 | Thursday | Pre-summer update |
| June 18 | June 18 | Thursday | Summer event kickoff |
Important Seasonal Breaks
š“ Summer Break: No updates between June 19 – July 15, 2026
āļø Winter Break: Development pauses after December 10 update
These breaks align with Epic Games’ employee vacation periods and have been consistent in previous years.
Chapter 7 Season 2: Norse Theme Deep Dive
The next major season launch arrives on March 5, 2026, bringing a complete Norse mythology theme to Fortnite. Based on extensive data mining and survey leaks, here’s what to expect:
Release Times by Region
| Region | Local Time | Date |
|---|---|---|
| North America (PT) | 4:00 AM | March 5 |
| North America (ET) | 7:00 AM | March 5 |
| United Kingdom (GMT) | 12:00 PM | March 5 |
| Europe (CET) | 1:00 PM | March 5 |
| Japan (JST) | 9:00 PM | March 5 |
| Brazil (BRT) | 11:00 AM | March 5 |
| Australia (AEDT) | 11:00 PM | March 5 |
Confirmed Norse Theme Elements
According to dataminer HYPEX and multiple survey leaks, Chapter 7 Season 2 is 100% Norse/Nordic themed. Expected features include:
š”ļø Mythological Characters: Norse gods and warriors
āļø Viking Weapons: New melee and ranged weapons
šļø Asgard-inspired POIs: New locations based on Norse mythology
āļø Ice King Return: Leaked boss battle with the returning Ice King
š Bifrost Bridge: Potential new traversal mechanic
Major Collaborations Coming
Epic Games has several massive crossovers planned for Chapter 7 Season 2:
- Solo Leveling: Popular anime/manga collaboration
- Honkai Star Rail: Major gaming crossover event
- Overwatch: Character skins and special game modes
- Kizuna AI: Virtual YouTuber live concert event
Current Chapter 7 Season 1 Status
Season End Date
Chapter 7 Season 1: Pacific Break officially ends on March 4, 2026 (though some sources suggest March 12). This gives players approximately 96 days from the November 29, 2025 start date to complete all content.
What You Should Complete Before Season Ends
ā” Battle Pass Progress: Finish all 100+ tiers to unlock Marty McFly, The Bride, and other exclusive rewards
šÆ Seasonal Challenges: Complete bug-themed challenges for Halo and Power Rangers collaboration items
š° V-Bucks Saving: Accumulate 1,000 V-Bucks for the next Battle Pass
šŗļø Map Exploration: Discover all Golden Coast secrets before the map changes
Update Preparation Guide
Before Update Day
- Complete Daily Challenges: Maximize your XP gains before the season reset
- Backup Your Settings: Screenshot your keybinds and sensitivity settings
- Clear Storage Space: Updates typically require 10-15 GB of free space
- Update Your Game Client: Ensure you’re running the latest version before maintenance
During Downtime
š Expected Maintenance Times:
- Major Season Updates: 3-4 hours
- Mid-season Patches: 1-2 hours
- Hotfixes: 30 minutes to 1 hour
What to Do During Maintenance
- Watch official Fortnite social media for live updates
- Check out the Fortnite Chapter 7 Battle Pass guide for planning
- Read up on how to self-revive in Chapter 7 for the new season
- Study the Fortnite Flushers locations guide if you’re still working on challenges
Upcoming Features & Leaks
v39.50 Update (February 19)
Based on reliable data mining sources, expect:
š¦ø Luna Snow Skin: Marvel Rivals character with custom emotes
š§ Magik Collaboration: Another Marvel Rivals character
š Bug Fixes: Performance improvements and glitch resolutions
š® Game Mode Updates: Potential new limited-time modes
Future Season Predictions
Looking at the complete 2026 roadmap, here’s what Epic Games has planned:
š October Mini-Season: Following the tradition of themed mini-seasons
š Winterfest December: Annual holiday celebration with festive content
š Chapter 8: Potential late November 2026 launch
šŖ Major Crossovers: At least 3-4 major brand collaborations planned
Platform-Specific Update Information
Update Sizes by Platform
| Platform | Typical Update Size | Download Time |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Epic Games) | 8-12 GB | 20-40 minutes |
| PC (Steam) | 8-12 GB | 20-40 minutes |
| PlayStation 5 | 6-10 GB | 15-30 minutes |
| Xbox Series X/S | 6-10 GB | 15-30 minutes |
| Nintendo Switch | 4-6 GB | 25-45 minutes |
| Mobile | 2-4 GB | 10-25 minutes |
Pre-Loading Information
Epic Games typically enables pre-loading 24-48 hours before major updates. Check your platform’s store for pre-download options to save time on release day.
Community Resources & Official Channels
Where to Get Real-Time Updates
š¦ Official X/Twitter: @FortniteGame
šŗ Status Updates: @FortniteStatus
š® Discord Server: Official Fortnite Discord
š± Reddit: r/FortNiteBR for community discussions
š Official Website: fortnite.com/news
Trusted Leak Sources
While not official, these sources have proven reliable:
- HYPEX: Accurate dataminer with strong track record
- ShiinaBR: Reliable leaker with early information
- iFireMonkey: Trusted source for update details
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly does the next update drop?
The next Fortnite update (v39.50) arrives on February 19, 2026, with downtime typically starting at 4 AM ET. Servers usually come back online within 2-3 hours.
Will Chapter 7 Season 2 have a new map?
Yes! Chapter 7 Season 2 will feature a Norse-themed map transformation with new Points of Interest inspired by Norse mythology, including potential Asgard-inspired locations.
How long will Chapter 7 Season 2 last?
Based on the leaked roadmap, Chapter 7 Season 2 is expected to run for 57 days, from March 5 to April 30, 2026.
What happens to my V-Bucks and items?
All your V-Bucks, purchased items, and unlocked Battle Pass rewards carry over to the new season. Only seasonal challenges and some limited-time items will expire.
Can I play during update maintenance?
No, Fortnite servers go offline during updates. However, you can still access some features like the item shop and locker during certain maintenance periods.
Will there be a new Battle Pass?
Yes! Each new season brings a fresh Battle Pass with 100+ tiers of new rewards, skins, and cosmetics. The Chapter 7 Season 2 Battle Pass will focus on Norse mythology themes.
How often does Fortnite update?
Fortnite follows a bi-weekly update schedule for most of the year, with major seasonal updates every 2-3 months. There are scheduled breaks in summer and winter.
What should I do before the update?
Complete your current Battle Pass, save V-Bucks for the next season, finish any limited-time challenges, and prepare for potential downtime during the update rollout.