Updated: April 13, 2026 
Note: We last updated this article on April 13th, 2026, with new Fortnite chapter and update details.
Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2 is in full swing, bringing a new Battle Pass, new stories, and plenty of content to explore. But if you're already looking ahead and want to know when the next Fortnite update drops and what it's bringing, here's everything you need to know.
When Does Fortnite's Current Season End?
Chapter 7 Season 2: Showdown is set to end on June 5th, 2026. The season kicked off on March 19th, so you're looking at about two and a half months in total. That's shorter than Chapter 7 Season 1, which ran a bit longer than usual.
This season brought a completely new Battle Pass, new quests, the Foundation vs. Ice King rivalry, new bosses and NPCs, Rift Anomaly, fresh weapons, and a changed map. Epic typically stays quiet until the last two weeks of a season, then slowly starts teasing what's next. So don't expect any big announcements about Chapter 7 Season 3 until around late May. For now, you still have plenty of time to work through all the quests and grab everything from the Showdown Battle Pass.
When Is the Next Fortnite Update?
The next update is v40.20, and it's coming on April 16th, 2026. Another mid-season patch for Chapter 7 Season 2. After that, updates are expected to roll out roughly every two weeks through the rest of the season.
Here's the full update schedule for Chapter 7 Season 2:
| Update Version | Release Date | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 40.20 | April 16th, 2026 | - Overwatch Skins - Weapon balancing - Arenas Mode - Save the World goes F2P |
| 41.00 | April 30th, 2026 | TBA |
Keep in mind that Epic Games sometimes adjusts these dates, so there might be small changes. But this gives you a solid roadmap of when to expect new content drops.
What's Coming in the Next Fortnite Update?
Epic hasn't made any official announcements about what's inside v40.20 yet, but there's already a lot to look forward to based on what's been confirmed and what's leaked:
- Weapon balancing and story content are almost guaranteed with any mid-season patch. Given how active the Foundation vs. Ice King rivalry storyline is right now, expect some story beats to move forward.
- Overwatch skins are heavily rumored for this season. Multiple leakers have pointed to skins for Tracer, D.Va, Genji, and Mercy possibly coming to the Item Shop.
- The bigger confirmed piece of news is the Arenas mode, which is set to launch on April 9th, 2026. This is an official build-only 1v1 or 16-player boxfight format where you climb a competitive ladder.
- There's also some news for Save the World players. Epic made changes to that mode's progression system with the v40.00 launch, mainly to help new players get started more easily. Save the World is going free in April, and the updates are designed to ease people in. If you're a Founder, don't worry, you can still earn V-Bucks like before.
With six major patches planned and a confirmed Arenas mode on the way, Chapter 7 Season 2 has a lot of content still to come. Keep checking back as each update gets closer so you don't miss anything.
Tips for Fortnite Season Transition
Here's how to make the most of the upcoming update:
- Finish Your Current Battle Pass: You have 82 days left to complete all bug-themed challenges. Don't miss out on the Halo and Power Rangers collaboration items.
- Save Your V-Bucks: If you're planning to buy the next Battle Pass, make sure you have 1,000 V-Bucks ready to go.
- Prepare for Downtime: Major season launches usually come with 2-3 hours of server downtime while Epic rolls out all the new content. Mid-season update patches typically have shorter downtime (30 minutes to 2 hours) compared to full-season launches. Plan your gaming sessions accordingly.
- Stay Updated: Epic typically releases official teasers in the final two weeks before a new season. Keep an eye on their social media for sneak peeks.
Are you ready to explore more of the bug-infested island with your new companion by your side? For a complete breakdown of Fortnite’s past and present seasons and all the collaborations, check out our full guide on all Fortnite chapters and seasons!
