Updated: July 16, 2026 
Batman is finally jumping into Fortnite, and this time he's not swinging a grappling hook or dropping into the Battle Bus. He is showing up as a Sprite, which is one of the most unexpected crossovers Epic Games has pulled off this season. If you've been grinding Chapter 7 Season 3 and collecting every Sprite you can find, you're probably wondering exactly when Batman Sprite shows up and how you can grab one for yourself in Fortnite.
When Does the Batman Sprite Release in Fortnite?
The Batman Sprite goes live on Thursday, July 16th, 2026, during the New Sprite Thursdays event. There's no way to unlock it before that, no matter what you might see floating around online. Here's the release breakdown across major time zones, based on Epic's typical early morning update window:
| Time Zone | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | Thursday, July 16 - 6:00 AM |
| Eastern Time (ET) | Thursday, July 16 - 9:00 AM |
| Central European Time (CET) | Thursday, July 16 - 3:00 PM |
| India Time (IST) | Thursday, July 16 - 6:30 PM |
| Japan Time (JST) | Thursday, July 16 - 10:00 PM |
| Australian Time (AEST) | Thursday, July 16 - 11:00 PM |
You can check out our countdown timer to see how many days you have left before the new Sprite drops in the game.
How to Get the Batman Sprite in Fortnite
Once the update drops, you'll have two ways to add Batman to your Sprite collection.
- You have a high chance of getting the Batman Sprite by dueling the Catwoman NPC on the island.
- You can find it by searching Sprite Chests. They are scattered across the map, and cracking one open gives you a shot at the Batman Sprite without putting yourself in a fight. If you're new to the map or just don't want the risk, this is your best bet.
- The other method is to eliminate an opponent who already has the Batman Sprite equipped. When they die, they will drop a leveled-up version into your inventory. This is riskier but pays off if you want a stronger variant early.
Once you equip the Sprite, Batman grants you the ability to launch in the air and deploy the Bat Cape!
According to Epic's own marketing, the Batman Sprite is a Mythic item, and it comes in four different looks:
- Gummy
- Galaxy
- Gold
- Holofoil
Two Other Sprites Are Dropping the Same Day
Batman isn't arriving alone. The same v41.20 update brings back the Air Sprite and introduces a brand new one called the Seven Sprite.
| Sprite | Power |
|---|---|
| Air Sprite | Boosts sprint speed, increases jump height, removes fall damage, jump height grows with each level |
| Batman Sprite | Unknown |
| Seven Sprite | Shows enemy footprints on the map for your whole squad, lasting 10 to 30 seconds depending on level |
The Seven Sprite is the one to watch here. Free intel on where enemies have walked is a huge edge in the final circles, so don't sleep on grabbing one if you spot a chest.
Should You Prioritize the Batman Sprite?
Right now, it's hard to rank the Batman Sprite against anything since its power is a mystery. If you care about collecting Mythic items or want first access to a new variant chase, it's worth grabbing on day one. If you're playing purely for competitive advantage, hold off until the ability is confirmed and see how it stacks up against known performers like the King Sprite's pickaxe damage boost or the Seven Sprite's tracking utility.
Grab a Sprite Chest as soon as the update lands, and keep an eye out for the reveal on what his power actually does. Once that's confirmed, you'll know exactly where he fits in your loadout.
FAQs
It releases on July 16, 2026, and there's no way to unlock it before then.
Epic hasn't confirmed its ability yet. Anything you see about its power right now is speculation.
Four confirmed so far: Gummy, Galaxy, Gold, and Holofoil.
