The Fortnite Thunderbolts Cup is your shot at grabbing the new White Widow skin before it hits the shop. Here’s how to qualify, earn your spot, and claim one of the most anticipated Marvel rewards ahead of everyone else.
Players have a chance to snag some of these cosmetics early-and for free-before they hit the Item Shop next week. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Fortnite Thunderbolts Cup and how to unlock the White Widow skin before April 30.
The Thunderbolts Cup, recently announced by Epic, gives players the chance to earn the exclusive Pen & Ink style of White Widow in Fortnite, inspired by Marvel’s upcoming Thunderbolts film. You can buy the full set later, but why wait? Here’s how to earn White Widow early for free by competing in the Thunderbolts Cup.
Fortnite Thunderbolts Cup Start Time, Schedule, and Format
The Fortnite Thunderbolts Cup kicks off on January 22, 2026, with regional start times depending on local time zones. The tournament runs for one day, giving players a limited window to compete for the exclusive White Widow skin before it arrives in the Item Shop. Participants will play in Duos format, with a set number of matches to earn points based on eliminations and placement. Only the top-performing teams in each region will qualify for the skin reward.
The Fortnite Thunderbolts Cup starts on Friday, April 25, 2025. While the Thunderbolts skins will be a part of the Fortnite shop later, you will have a chance to get one for free during the Cup. The Thunderbolts Cup will be a Duos Battle Royale competition. If you’re not familiar with it, in this mode, players must pair up with a friend and queue for the game.
There will be only build mode, so expect some drippy, sweaty lobbies. The competition lasts for three hours, so ensure you make the most out of it. Time zones will differ when the competition starts, so keep an eye on the competition tab. Also, remember that teaming up with other duos will result in a direct disqualification. Like other Fortnite events, you’ll have three hours to compete in a maximum of 10 matches. The scoring system is as follows:
- Victory Royale: 65 points
- 2nd: 56 points
- 3rd: 52 points
- 4th: 48 points
- 5th: 44 points
- 6th: 40 points
- 7th: 38 points
- 8th: 36 points
- 9th: 34 points
- 10th: 32 points
- 11th: 30 points
- 12th: 28 points
- 13th: 26 points
- 14th: 24 points
- 15th: 22 points
- 16th: 20 points
- 17th: 18 points
- 18th: 16 points
- 19th: 14 points
- 20th: 12 points
- 21st: 10 points
- 22nd: 8 points
- 23rd: 6 points
- 24th: 4 points
- 25th: 2 points
- (Bonus)Each Elimination: 2 points
Also Read: All Fortnite Ranks Explained: How It Works, Leaderboard, and More
How to Get Free Fortnite Thunderbolts Skin
Players can earn the free Fortnite Thunderbolts skin by competing in the Thunderbolts Cup and achieving a high placement based on their region’s leaderboard. The event features a limited number of matches, and scoring points through eliminations and placement is key to ranking well. Players who meet the score threshold will receive the Thunderbolts skin before it becomes available in the Item Shop. To increase your chances, play consistently with your duo and focus on surviving until the final circles.
The free White Widow skin is part of the reward pool from the Fortnite Thunderbolts Cup. Along with this iconic Fortnite free skin, there are plenty of rewards you can obtain by participating. So, make sure you take part in the competition. You can also secure the Winter Soldier wrap by only getting 8 points.
Even if you do not get the skin, grabbing the other rewards will save you quite a lot of bucks when purchasing the Thunderbolts skins from the shop. Before you prepare for the fight, here is a list of rewards for all regions:
- Oceania
- 1st – 100th “White Widow (Pen & Ink)” In-Game Cosmetic Outfit
- 40 points “White Widow” In-Game Wrap
- 8 points “Winter Soldier” In-Game Wrap
- Asia
- 1st – 100th “White Widow (Pen & Ink)” In-Game Cosmetic Outfit
- 40 points “White Widow” In-Game Wrap
- 8 points “Winter Soldier” In-Game Wrap
- Middle East
- 1st – 100th “White Widow (Pen & Ink)” In-Game Cosmetic Outfit
- 40 points “White Widow” In-Game Wrap
- 8 points “Winter Soldier” In-Game Wrap
- EU
- 1st – 1000th “White Widow (Pen & Ink)” In-Game Cosmetic Outfit
- 40 points “White Widow” In-Game Wrap
- 8 points “Winter Soldier” In-Game Wrap
- Brazil
- 1st – 100th “White Widow (Pen & Ink)” In-Game Cosmetic Outfit
- 40 points “White Widow” In-Game Wrap
- 8 points “Winter Soldier” In-Game Wrap
- North America Central
- 1st – 900th “White Widow (Pen & Ink)” In-Game Cosmetic Outfit
- 40 points “White Widow” In-Game Wrap
- 8 points “Winter Soldier” In-Game Wrap
- North America West
- 1st – 100th “White Widow (Pen & Ink)” In-Game Cosmetic Outfit
- 40 points “White Widow” In-Game Wrap
- 8 points “Winter Soldier” In-Game Wrap
Best duo strategies to score 40 points in Thunderbolts Cup
Scoring 40 points in the Fortnite Thunderbolts Cup as a duo is achievable even for average players by prioritizing survival and consistent placements over high-kill games, since placement points form the bulk of the score.
Core Scoring Math
Placement points dominate: a 5th place nets 44 points alone, exceeding the 40-point goal for the White Widow wrap. Add just one elimination (2 points) across multiple games, and duos hit rewards easily. Ten matches allow averaging 4 points per game via mid-placements like 11th-15th (around 20-25 points each) plus minimal kills.
Duo Roles Setup
Assign clear roles for efficiency: one player leads as IGL (scouting zones, calling rotates), while the support drops mats, covers angles, and seeks kills. Communicate constantly-one pressures enemies to pin them, preventing 2v1 pushes on your partner.
Landing and Early Game
Drop on for.gg-recommended spots with loot but low contest (e.g., edges of POIs) to grab mats, heals, and weapons fast without dying off-spawn. Play together: fight as a unit, using flanks-one distracts while the other ambushes from behind.
Midgame Rotates
Rotate early to zone edges via launch pads or crash pads, avoiding center fire-aim for high layers on less congested sides. Block angles patiently before pushes; layer up to ease final circles, tanking minimal storm if needed.
Endgame Positioning
Secure high ground or safe layers fast-scout dead sides of zone, tarp ahead, and cut off enemies from multiple angles. Avoid low ground or back-of-zone fights; use fizz jumps for free rotates when opponents clash. Play all 10 matches, healing between for steady mid-placements.
Best landing spots for high loot and low conflict in Thunderbolts Cup
In Fortnite’s Thunderbolts Cup, prioritize edge-of-POI or unmarked spots on Chapter 7 maps for quick looting without early fights, ensurin
