Excitement is building as Epic Games announces the return of the Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) in 2026, boasting a massive prize pool of $10 million (~£7.4 million). The competition is set to feature global participation, with major changes and events that promise to elevate the esports scene.
Format and Schedule Overview
The 2026 FNCS season will thrill fans with three Majors scheduled throughout the year, culminating in the FNCS Global Championship. This year, the tournament returns to its roots with a duos format, reverting from the trios setup seen in 2025. Everything begins with the FNCS Trial on January 31st, 2026, an event designed to rank participants into performance-based divisions. These rankings will guide the Divisional Cups during Fortnite Chapter 7, where duos will strive to secure spots in the Majors.
Details of the FNCS 2026 Majors
Reports suggest that Major 1 will occur from April 6th to 26th, followed by Major 2 from July 20th to August 9th, and Major 3 from September 21st to October 11th. Each Major features a three-stage competition beginning with the Play-In Stage, from which top-performing duos in regions like NAC, EU, and others will advance to the Heat Stage. Here, earning a victory royale ensures a place in the Major Finals. Additional opportunities arise in the Last Chance lobby, where teams can vie for a spot in the Finals through victory royales.
FNCS Major Finals and Global Championship
The Major Finals will see duos compete in 12 matches, with the champions claiming a significant share of the prize pool and earning the Axe of Champions 3.0 pickaxe for the in-game season. Successful players will progress to the FNCS Major One Summit, a LAN event in May 2026 with a $1 million (~£744,800) prize pool. The top five duos will earn spots in the prestigious Fortnite Global Championship in November 2026, offering a $2 million (~£1.49 million) prize pool and the title of world champions.