Fortnite live events are one-time, scripted experiences that every player watches or plays through at the same moment. They mark big story beats, map changes, concerts and crossovers, and they can't be replayed in the game afterwards. Epic announces them ahead of time, so check the in-game countdown and the news tab.
What counts as a live event
These aren't trailers. You load into a special lobby and take part in a short sequence with music, cutscenes and effects timed across the whole player base. Weapons are usually off and you have limited control. That is part of the appeal: everyone sees the same thing at the same time.
Five kinds of event
- Story events advance the narrative, such as The End in 2019, when the map was pulled into a black hole.
- Concerts are choreographed performances by artists like Travis Scott and Ariana Grande.
- Crossovers bring in other franchises. Marvel and Star Wars are the best known.
- Gameplay takeovers change the rules for a short time, with things like low gravity or odd vehicles.
- Map-altering events rebuild or wreck parts of the island and keep affecting play afterwards.
Past events worth knowing
| Event | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The End | 13 October 2019 | Story and map reset |
| Travis Scott, Astronomical | 23 April 2020 | Concert |
| Galactus | 1 December 2020 | Crossover |
| Rift Tour, Ariana Grande | 6 August 2021 | Concert |
| Fracture | 3 December 2022 | Story, Chapter 3 to 4 |
When the next one happens
Big events tend to come at the end of a season, and often on a weekend so more people can join. Epic uses the in-game countdown, its blog and social posts to confirm dates. A few days before, you will often see teasers or limited-time modes. We won't guess a date here, because it changes with each season.
Getting ready
- Update the game hours ahead of time.
- Log in early, since servers can fill.
- Close heavy background apps.
- Party up with friends if you want to watch together.
The downside is that if a server hiccups you can miss part of it. That's rare, though, and clips are always posted afterwards.
Can you rewatch one?
Not inside the game. Players record them, so the usual place to see an old event is a video. That's the price of something that only happens once.
If you play Fortnite competitively
Events are for fun. If you're thinking about the ranked side of the game, remember that Fortnite bans are permanent for the account, and no cheat is risk free. We cover our product on the Fortnite cheat page, and the status page shows whether it's safe to use before you load in. For a weapon rundown, read the Fortnite best weapons guide.