Fortnite Updates Guide Seasonal Schedule Chapter Details Features Release Dates Info

Fortnite Chapter 7 is closer than players think, and Epic Games is already teasing what’s next for Battle Royale. Here’s everything pointing to the next big update-and when you can expect the island to change again.

With Winterfest 2025 in full swing right now, players are looking forward to the next Fortnite update and what it could bring to the game. If you are looking to catch up with the next update in the game, come with us as we explore the update schedule for Fortnite Chapter 7.

Next Fortnite Update Release Date

Epic Games is expected to roll out the next Fortnite update in late January 2026, following the typical two-week patch cycle seen throughout Chapter 7 Season 1. While exact times can vary by region, updates usually begin around 4 AM ET, temporarily disabling matchmaking before new features, balance changes, and limited-time content go live. Players can anticipate fresh items, map adjustments, and ongoing performance improvements as the season continues.

The next update for Fortnite Chapter 7 will be 39.20. This will serve as the next major patch after Winterfest ends. The 39.20 update for Fortnite will release on January 6, 2025. The most recent patch for Fortnite Chapter 7 was the 39.11 update. This patch brought the Winterfest event to the game, alongside new collaborations like Harry Potter and Santa Sabrina

As of now, there is not much we know about the 39.20 update and its contents. However, Epic Games has revealed that Fortnite OG will see the return of the classic sky lighting from Chapter 1 with this update. This appears to be only the tip of the iceberg regarding what the 39.20 update will entail.

Full Fortnite Chapter 7 Update Schedule

Epic Games has outlined a detailed update schedule for Fortnite Chapter 7, covering patch rollouts, limited-time events, and seasonal milestones. Major updates are expected roughly every two weeks, introducing new content, gameplay adjustments, and event tie-ins. Smaller updates between these patches often focus on bug fixes and balance tuning. Players can expect Chapter 7 Season 1 to run through early spring 2026, with mid-season events and themed modes keeping the game fresh throughout the schedule.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 was released with the 39.00 patch on November 29, 2025. The update brought the new map, alongside new items and weapons, to Fortnite. Here is the full update release schedule for Chapter 7 Season 1:

Exact release time and server downtime for v39.30 update

Fortnite’s v39.30 update is expected to follow the same maintenance pattern as recent Chapter 7 patches: servers go down shortly before 4:00 AM ET, with 2-3 hours of downtime likely.​

Expected release time

• Recent guidance for v39.30 states that, like other Chapter 7 updates, the patch is expected to release at around 4:00 AM ET, not a minute-precise confirmed time.​

• This usually corresponds to roughly 1:00 AM PT / 9:00 AM GMT / 10:00 AM CET when maintenance actually starts or the update begins rolling out.​

Expected server downtime

• For recent major Chapter 7 patches such as v39.20, the official maintenance window has typically been about 2 hours (for example, 09:00-11:00 UTC), with practical downtime often lasting 2-4 hours until matchmaking is fully back.​

• For v39.30 specifically, current info only says downtime is expected from roughly 4:00 AM ET to 6:00 AM ET, but Epic has not yet given an exact end time and can extend or shorten it depending on deployment.​

How to get the exact time

• Check the in-game news tab and the official Fortnite Status social channels on the day of the update; Epic usually posts the exact maintenance start time (for example, “Downtime for v39.xx starts at 4 AM ET, matchmaking disabled 30 minutes prior”).​

• Use the Epic Games server status page around that time to see when servers actually go offline and when they start coming back up.​

What new content is in Fortnite v39.30 update

Fortnite v39.30 is expected to be a major content update headlined by a brand-new “Pimlico” game mode plus fresh cosmetics and collab content, but full official patch notes are not yet published by Epic.​

New Pimlico game mode

• Leaks and previews describe Pimlico as a basketball-themed party mode that plays like Fall Guys with chaotic obstacle layouts and hoop-scoring mechanics.​

• The mode is reportedly tied to a Warner Bros-related partnership, with early rumors pointing to Space Jam-style or Looney Tunes-adjacent crossover flavor, though specific characters are still unconfirmed.​

Release and structure of the mode

• Creator and press previews say gameplay footage for Pimlico is scheduled to drop on January 21, 2026, followed by the live in-game release as part of the v39.30 update on January 22, 2026.​

• Pimlico is expected to replace the existing Delulu social mode slot, with a focus on ranked ladders, social party play, and repeatable “show” style matches rather than classic battle royale.​

Cosmetics and collabs in v39.30

• Coverage of the v39.30 patch notes that it will bring another “significant content drop” for the Pacific Break season, including a fresh wave of themed skins and item shop additions.​

• Dataminer reports and recent shop-leak rundowns tied to Chapter 7 updates suggest more crossover cosmetics are queued for early 2026, likely aligning with the Warner Bros Pimlico push and other ongoing collaborations, though exact v39.30 bundles are not fully confirmed yet.​​

Gameplay and progression changes

• Early info frames v39.30 as both a content and stability patch, meant to add the new mode while also addressing bugs and performance issues that surfaced after the recent South Park and Pacific Break drops.​

• Ranked support for Pimlico plus general competitive tuning for Chapter 7’s side modes are mentioned as priorities, extending Fortnite’s play options beyond core battle royale, Festival, Rocket Racing, and LEGO modes.​

What is still unknown

• As of now, Epic has not posted official v39.30 patch notes on the Fortnite news hub, so details like exact weapon balance changes, specific bug fixes, and the full cosmetic list remain unconfirmed and may differ from leaks.​

• For the precise breakdown of everything in v39.30, the safest move is to watch Epic’s news page and in-game announcements on or after the update goes live, since those will override any earlier leak-based expectations.​