Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2, known as Showdown, has reached the end of its run, and Epic Games is moving straight into the next season without a gap. The follow-up is Chapter 7 Season 3, branded as Fortnite Runners, and it brings a fresh battle pass, new weapons, and an expanded Sprites system.
Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 release date and timing
Showdown launched on March 19, 2026, and ran for 78 days, putting its final day at June 5, 2026. Epic has dated the Fortnite Runners launch to June 6, 2026, which lines up with the studio's usual pattern of bringing a new season online shortly after the previous one closes.
A specific go-live time and timezone have not been published. Season changeovers normally involve a short maintenance period where matchmaking is paused while the update deploys, so expect brief downtime around the transition rather than an instant flip.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Current season | Chapter 7 Season 2 (Showdown) |
| Season 2 dates | March 19 – June 5, 2026 (78 days) |
| Next season | Chapter 7 Season 3 (Fortnite Runners) |
| Season 3 launch | June 6, 2026 |
| Exact launch time | Not officially confirmed |
What's new in Fortnite Runners (Chapter 7 Season 3)
The headline mechanic is the return and expansion of Sprites, which first appeared back in Chapter 6 Season 1. This time around, more than ten new Sprites are being added, and the season is built around collecting and equipping them. Each Sprite grants a distinct ability rather than acting as a cosmetic.
A few of the abilities and items teased ahead of launch include a duck-themed Sprite paired with rocket booster movement, a Fire Sprite that appears to boost weapon damage, and a purple Sprite that grants low-gravity jumps with refilling dashes. A new duck-themed shotgun that destroys vehicles in a single hit was also shown, alongside what looks like a mid-match defense objective where players guard a large crate that drops onto the map.
How to confirm the new season is live
You'll know Season 3 has gone live once Fortnite prompts you to download the new update on your platform. After patching, the lobby will show the Fortnite Runners branding and a new battle pass tab, and the in-game season timer will reset for Chapter 7 Season 3.
If the client still shows Showdown content or the battle pass hasn't changed, the update hasn't finished installing or servers are still in maintenance. Restart the game and check for a pending update rather than assuming the season has failed to switch.
How long Fortnite seasons usually last
Season length is not fixed. Across Fortnite's history, seasons have run anywhere from around 28 days for short crossover seasons to well over 120 days for the longest ones, with roughly 70 days being typical. Epic adjusts each season's duration around its content and event schedule.
| Recent season | Dates | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Ch. 6 Season 3 (Super) | Jun 7 – Aug 7, 2025 | 62 days |
| Ch. 6 Season 4 (Shock 'N Awesome) | Aug 7 – Nov 1, 2025 | 86 days |
| Ch. 6 Mini Season 2 (The Simpsons) | Nov 1 – Nov 29, 2025 | 28 days |
| Ch. 7 Season 1 (Pacific Break) | Nov 29, 2025 – Mar 19, 2026 | 110 days |
| Ch. 7 Season 2 (Showdown) | Mar 19 – Jun 5, 2026 | 78 days |
For the changeover into Fortnite Runners, the key dates to hold onto are simple. Showdown closes out on June 5, 2026, and Chapter 7 Season 3 takes over on June 6, 2026, so if you're chasing any last Season 2 battle pass rewards, finish them before the cutoff.