Fortnite is preparing to end its current season and begin Chapter 7, Season 3, titled “Runners,” with a live transition event that players can participate in before servers go offline. The event is designed as a faction-based experience, allowing players to side with either the Foundation or the Ice King, and the choice is expected to affect how the event unfolds in-game. Epic is using the occasion to set up the next season while also giving players a chance to earn limited-time rewards for taking part.
The launch window for Chapter 7, Season 3 is expected to vary by region, with downtime beginning in the early morning hours in North America and the new season likely becoming available later the same morning. The reported timing places the rollout between 4 AM and 7 AM PT, 7 AM and 10 AM ET, 11 AM and 2 PM GMT, 12 PM and 3 PM CET, 3 PM and 6 PM GST, 7 PM and 10 PM CST, and 9 PM and 11 PM JST. For players in the Americas, the season is expected to go live on Saturday, June 6, with the exact return dependent on how long the maintenance period lasts.
Players who join the live event are set to receive rewards, including a Chaos Cutlass mining tool and a Bark Voyager sidekick. However, the Bark Voyager reward comes with a condition: it must be earned by attending the event with a friend. The event is also expected to alter the map in the usual dramatic Fortnite fashion, making it one of the key moments leading into the new season.
Epic has already previewed some of the upcoming battle pass content, which includes a lineup of colorful characters and several crossover skins. Among the most notable is a pen-and-ink version of John Wick, who is reportedly part of the battle pass. Other teased collaborations include Control: Resonant characters and classic animated He-Man skins, arriving ahead of the film’s release this weekend. One of the revealed battle pass characters has also drawn attention because of a controversial outfit, sparking discussion among players ahead of launch.
The new season arrives during a difficult period for Fortnite and Epic Games. The company has recently faced criticism over higher store prices, with Epic saying the increase is meant to cover rising operating costs. In March 2026, Epic also laid off more than 1,000 employees, citing falling Fortnite engagement beginning in 2025 and the need for significant cost reductions. The company said the cuts, along with more than $500 million in savings from contracting, marketing, and unfilled roles, were intended to stabilize the business.
Despite those challenges, Fortnite continues to push out major seasonal content, live events, and new collaborations at a steady pace. Chapter 7, Season 3 is now expected to be the next major test of whether the game can regain momentum and improve its position after a period of declining engagement.
