A year of bold shifts is ahead for Fortnite as Epic Games lays out its 2026 roadmap, teasing fresh seasons, revamped mechanics, and a wave of Battle Royale updates set to redefine how players build, fight, and win across the island.
The roadmap gives us insight into the updates Epic Games has planned for not only Chapter 7 Season 1, but throughout 2026. Let’s break down every update in this new roadmap.
Full Fortnite Roadmap: Updates and Release Dates in 2026
Epic Games has outlined an exciting year ahead for Fortnite, packed with fresh seasons, crossover events, and map updates scheduled throughout 2026. Players can expect seasonal themes to rotate every few months, bringing new weapons, gameplay mechanics, and limited-time modes. Major updates will expand both the Battle Royale and Creative experiences, while new collaborations promise more iconic character skins and immersive events tied to popular franchises.
The information about the 2026 Fortnite Roadmap, surprisingly, came from the Fortnite Creator Trello board, which is publicly available for anyone to access. In the roadmap section of their page, the developers have slated updates ranging from the upcoming 39.20 patch to when could be the start of Chapter 8.
Here’s a breakdown of the update versions and their release dates, according to the Fortnite Creator Roadmap in 2026:
| Update Version | Release Date |
|---|---|
| 39.20 | January 9, 2026 |
| 39.30 | January 22, 2026 |
| 39.40 | February 5, 2026 |
| 39.50 | February 19, 2026 |
| 40.00 (Chapter 7 Season 2) | March 5, 2026 |
| 40.10 | March 29, 2026 |
| 40.20 | April 1, 2026 |
| 40.30 | April 16, 2026 |
| 41.00 (Chapter 7 Season 3) | April 30, 2026 |
| 41.10 | May 14, 2026 |
| 41.20 | June 4, 2026 |
| 41.30 | June 18, 2026 |
| 41.40 | July 16, 2026 |
| 42.00 (Chapter 7 Season 4) | July 30, 2026 |
| 42.10 | August 14, 2026 |
| 42.20 | September 3, 2026 |
| 42.30 | September 17, 2026 |
| 43.00 (Chapter 7 Mini Season) | October 1, 2026 |
| 43.10 | October 15, 2026 |
| 43.20 | October 29, 2026 |
| 43.30 | November 12, 2026 |
| 44.00 (Chapter 8) | November 28, 2026 |
| 44.10 | December 10, 2026 |
The roadmap fits Fortnite’s fortnightly update schedule. Additionally, the game has featured a mini-season in November with shorter durations for the past three years, like The Simpsons and OG Remix. 2026 could also follow suit, with a collaborative mini-season, possibly running from October 29, 2026, to November 28, 2026.
It is also possible that the mini-season could be the recently leaked South Park collab, which would continue the theme of mini-seasons themed around animated shows. Finally, the 44.00 update on November 28, 2026, would align with Fortnite’s usual schedule for Chapter resets with Chapter 8. The new Chapter would usher in a new map, all set for 2027 and a possible Chapter 9.
This would allow the 44.10 update to bring in another round of Winterfest rewards and other festivities. However, it is important to remember that Epic Games has only confirmed the release dates for the updates so far, so the release of Chapter 8, along with other updates, is based on Epic Games’ usual yearly pattern.
When is Chapter 8 expected to launch in 2026
Fortnite Chapter 8 is currently expected to launch on November 28, 2026, according to the 2026 roadmap and release-date reports. This date comes from Epic’s published schedule and aligned community coverage, but it can still shift if Epic adjusts the roadmap.
Planned release date
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Multiple gaming news outlets and roadmap breakdowns list November 28, 2026, as the scheduled start date for Chapter 8.
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These reports all reference the same official 2026 schedule, which shows the next chapter arriving at the end of November.
How “expected” the date is
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The date is considered “expected” rather than guaranteed because Fortnite seasons and chapters can be extended or shortened if needed.
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Historically, new chapters often arrive in late November or early December, so November 28, 2026, fits Epic’s usual timing even if a minor delay occurs.
Will Chapter 8 include a new island or map changes
Fortnite Chapter 8 is expected to feature a completely new island. Epic Games traditionally introduces a fresh map with each new chapter, replacing the previous one after a live event or transition. Recent coverage confirms this pattern continues for Chapter 8, launching November 28, 2026.
New Island Details
Chapter 8 will bring a brand-new island, distinct from Chapter 7’s current layout, with entirely new biomes and points of interest (POIs). This reset aligns with past chapters like Chapter 2 (Apollo island) and Chapter 3 (Artemis island), where players experience a full map overhaul.
Map Changes Scope
Expect revolutionary changes beyond just the island swap, including new storm mechanics and West Coast-inspired terrain to refresh Battle Royale gameplay. While specifics remain under wraps until closer to launch, these updates follow Epic’s roadmap for seismic shifts in late-year chapters.
