Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2 is bringing back a fan-favorite cosmetic from the early days of the game. The Empress pet back bling is getting transformed into a full Sidekick that follows you around during matches. Players who own the original Empress back bling can get the new Sidekick version completely free. Here's everything you need to know about unlocking the Empress Sidekick in Fortnite for free.

Who Gets the Empress Sidekick for Free?

The Empress Sidekick is an upgraded version of the Empress pet back bling that was originally released during Fortnite Chapter 1 Season 8. The original Empress was a small cat that sat in a back bling slot and reacted to in-game events while you played. Not everyone qualifies for the free Empress Sidekick. Epic Games is only granting the new cosmetic to players who already own the original Empress pet back bling from Chapter 1 Season 8.

The original Empress back bling was sold in the Fortnite Item Shop for 1,000 V-Bucks. It first appeared on March 15, 2019, and stayed in the shop for only one day. Since then, it has returned to the Item Shop only seven more times, with the most recent appearance in October 2024.

Check your locker to see if you own the Empress pet back bling. If you have it, you qualify for the free Sidekick upgrade. If not, you'll need to purchase the Sidekick from the Item Shop when it releases. You can also get a Yeddy Skin for free, check out our guide here.

How to Unlock the Free Empress Sidekick

Getting the free Empress Sidekick requires no quests, challenges, or grinding. Epic Games automatically grants it to eligible players. Follow these steps to claim your free Sidekick:

  • Step 1: Wait until the Item Shop resets on March 21, 2026. This is the official release date for the Empress Sidekick.
  • Step 2: Log into Fortnite using the account that owns the original Empress pet back bling. Make sure you're on the correct account if you have multiple.
  • Step 3: Open your locker and navigate to the Sidekicks category. You should see the Empress Sidekick already added to your inventory.
  • Step 4: Select the Empress Sidekick and equip it before jumping into a match.

In most cases, the Sidekick appears automatically in your locker without any action needed. If you don't see it immediately after logging in, try restarting Fortnite or waiting a few minutes for the servers to update your inventory.

Empress Sidekick Release Date and Price

The Empress Sidekick officially releases on March 21, 2026, alongside Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2. This timing matches the new season launch and map overhaul happening the same day. For players who don't own the original Empress back bling, the Sidekick will be available for purchase in the Item Shop. The exact price hasn't been officially confirmed, but based on previous Sidekick releases, expect it to cost around 1,200 V-Bucks. This is slightly higher than the original 1,000 V-Bucks price from 2019.