The next new Fortnite season is expected to start in early March 2026, with most reliable sources pointing specifically to March 4–5, 2026 for the launch of Chapter 7 Season 2, followed by a few hours of downtime beforehand.

Quick Scoop

  • Target date: Multiple gaming outlets list Chapter 7 Season 2 as arriving with the v40.00 update in the first week of March 2026, most precisely on March 4, 2026.
  • Time of day: One detailed guide notes a planned release around 5 PM ET on March 4, 2026, after server downtime.
  • Downtime window: Expect 4–5 hours (or more) of downtime between the end of the current season and the new one so Epic can push the big update.

What’s officially known vs. leaks

  • Higher‑confidence info comes from the in‑game Battle Pass timer and Epic’s own news posts; articles summarizing those timers are why most sites agree on early March 2026.
  • Roadmap articles and “leaks” show a 2026 update schedule where v40.00 (Chapter 7 Season 2) lands in the first week of March, lining up with that March 4–5 window.

How to double‑check in your game

  • Look at the Battle Pass screen: the season‑end timer there is the most accurate live countdown to when the new Fortnite season begins.
  • Check Fortnite’s official social channels and in‑game news right before March 4–5, 2026, in case Epic shifts the date or extends downtime.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.