Fortnite displays countdown timers in the lobby for two distinct purposes: short-term events like Power Hour and the season end date. Players see these timers next to the Battle Royale and Zero Build mode options, and each serves a different function depending on the current schedule.
Quick answer: The lobby countdown currently tracks Power Hour events that run for 60 minutes on select days, offering increased XP and special gameplay modifiers. A separate timer counts down to the end of Chapter 7 Season 1 on March 19, 2026.
Power Hour events
Power Hour is a recurring limited-time event that grants bonus XP and introduces temporary gameplay changes. The event lasts exactly one hour and appears on weekends during certain seasons. When active, the lobby countdown shows the time remaining until the next Power Hour begins.
During Power Hour, you receive 400 points toward the South Park mini pass for participating. The storm zone changes to a triangle shape, and you spawn with the Stick of Truth weapon and care crates in every match. These modifiers reset to normal gameplay once the hour ends.
The Love and Legends season runs Power Hour events on February 7 and subsequent weekends. The event starts at 3:30 PM in the designated timezone and runs for 60 minutes. You must play during the active window to earn the XP boost and mini pass points.
Chapter 7 Season 1 end date
Chapter 7 Season 1 ends on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The season began on November 29, 2025, and will run for approximately 110 days. Chapter 7 Season 2 starts immediately after on the same date.
You can check the exact time remaining in the Battle Pass tab in-game or on the Battle Pass web page. Epic Games occasionally adjusts season end dates due to unforeseen factors, so the March 19 date may shift if the developer announces changes through official social channels.
The season is currently 63 percent complete with 40 days remaining. This gives you time to finish Battle Pass challenges and unlock remaining rewards before the season transitions.
Other lobby countdown events
Fortnite occasionally displays countdowns for live in-game events beyond Power Hour. Recent examples include the Dark Voyager Cube arrival above Lethal Lapse, which followed a multi-stage rift progression over 48 hours. These events typically occur at 2 PM in the game's default timezone and last a few minutes.
Live events require you to load into a Battle Royale match a few minutes early to witness them in real time. The countdown appears in the lobby when an event is scheduled, but Epic Games does not always confirm exact times in advance. Community predictions track stage progressions to estimate when the next phase will trigger.
You can distinguish event countdowns from Power Hour timers by checking the duration and context. Power Hour runs for 60 minutes with recurring weekend schedules, while live events are one-time occurrences tied to story progression or seasonal updates.
