Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 carries the name Runners, and Epic Games has already locked in the launch window along with a full Battle Pass reveal. The season brings the return of Sprites, two crossover skins headlined by John Wick, and a remixed cast of familiar Fortnite faces.
Fortnite Runners release date and downtime times
The new season starts the day after the Shattered live event. Once Shattered finishes, servers drop into maintenance, and the Runners update installs during that window. Epic typically keeps servers down for roughly three to four hours, though it does not confirm an exact return time in advance so it can extend the window if problems come up.
There is no official release time for the moment the new season goes live. Expect it early on June 6 once downtime ends. When servers come back, the Runners Battle Pass unlocks automatically for anyone who buys it, and you can start earning rewards immediately.
Downtime begins at the same global moment for everyone. Here is when that lands in major time zones.
| Region / Time Zone | Downtime start |
|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | 1 AM – June 6 |
| Central Time (CT) | 3 AM – June 6 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 4 AM – June 6 |
| Brasília Time (BRT) | 5 AM – June 6 |
| British Summer Time (BST) | 9 AM – June 6 |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | 10 AM – June 6 |
| China Standard Time (CST) | 4 PM – June 6 |
| Korean Standard Time (KST) | 5 PM – June 6 |
| Japan Standard Time (JST) | 5 PM – June 6 |
| Australian Eastern Time (AET) | 6 PM – June 6 |
| New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) | 8 PM – June 6 |
Runners Battle Pass skins
The Runners Battle Pass includes eight new skins, revealed in full on Fortnite's official social channels ahead of launch. The lineup mixes original characters, two remixed classics, and licensed crossovers. Some names are still placeholders until the full set is confirmed.
| Skin | Type |
|---|---|
| Sprite | Original character |
| PJ | Remix skin |
| Slone | Remix skin (Agent Slone) |
| Tier 4 | Original skin |
| Tier 5 | Original skin |
| John Wick | Ink & Pen crossover |
| Tier 7 | Original skin |
| Tier 8 | Original skin |
Beyond the eight main skins, the pass features a TheBurntPeanut collab tied to the Twitch streamer. It is not yet clear whether that cosmetic arrives as a sidekick or a sprite. Recent passes have leaned on sidekick cosmetics, but with sprites returning this season, the crossover could be built around that mechanic instead.
Sprites return as a Runners mechanic
Sprites are coming back after being cut at the start of Chapter 7. These small companion creatures work as buffs, granting players different abilities while they hold one. The mechanic debuted in Chapter 6 Season 1 and later expanded with options like a Superman Sprite in Chapter 6 Season 3.
The first Runners teaser hid a Dark Voyager Sprite inside the season logo, which is how the return was confirmed. The same artwork leans into a warm, tropical tone, pointing toward a significant map refresh for the Chapter 7 island.
Shattered live event and what comes next
Chapter 7 Season 2, themed around the clash between the Ice King and the Foundation, ends with the Shattered live event on June 5. Shattered has already teased major changes to the island, which feed directly into the Runners map. After the event wraps, servers go straight into the downtime that leads into Season 3.
Runners follows the usual rhythm once it launches. Expect new weapons, bosses, and points of interest at the start, with fresh content rolling out roughly every two weeks across a season that should run for several months. Gameplay details beyond the Battle Pass and Sprites are set to surface in the days surrounding the drop and during the Shattered event itself.