Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2, named Showdown, is set to go live on March 19, 2026. The game will switch over after the current Battle Pass ends on March 18, and Epic promises new areas to explore, returning and new characters to meet, and some gameplay adjustments to learn.

When does Season 2 start and what happens at the changeover?

The release date is confirmed as Thursday, March 19, 2026. The current Battle Pass ends on March 18, so expect the servers to be taken offline for maintenance. Historic rollouts usually mean several hours of downtime, often at least 3 to 5 hours, with the possibility of longer delays if something goes wrong. Because this is a midweek swap, a large live event is not expected.

What new stuff will Season 2 bring?

Patch notes are not final yet, but the key art and datamines point to a number of headline changes:

  • Characters: Dwayne Johnson returns as The Foundation. A remix of the Jules skin from an earlier season will appear. There will also be an Icy battle pass skin, a Sidekick, and Bugs Bunny features prominently.
  • Rewards Leaderboard: A new system will let players choose a team and climb a leaderboard by completing weekly Battle Royale challenges. Reported rewards include real-world items such as GPUs, consoles, and merch. Details and eligibility rules have not been fully explained yet, and real-world prizes will likely be tightly regulated.
  • Map updates: The Ice King appears to add a new point of interest called Frigid Fortress. Epic has also confirmed that surfing into the battle royale ends on March 18, so full-time battle bus drops are likely unless a new movement mechanic is introduced.

How much is the Battle Pass this season?

The Season 2 Battle Pass will cost 800 V-Bucks. After the recent V-Bucks price update, 800 V-Bucks can be bought with the smallest store bundle, priced at approximately $8.99.

There will be a Battle Bundle option that immediately grants Tier 25 on the pass for 2,600 V-Bucks. That bundle has been listed at about $22.99.

The Fortnite Crew subscription remains available for players who want passes every month. It costs roughly $11.99 per month and includes the Battle Pass, 800 V-Bucks each month, and exclusive Crew rewards.

If you prefer not to spend money, there are ways to earn in-game currency, but be careful with offers that promise free V-Bucks online. Avoid scams. You only need 800 V-Bucks to obtain the Battle Pass when Season 2 launches in March 2026.

That covers what we know so far about Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2. Expect further details and official announcements as the launch date approaches, and I will keep an eye out for confirmed changes and updates.