In 2025, the Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) captured the attention of gaming enthusiasts as fans worldwide tuned in to witness the battle royale spectacle. The year was marked by exciting developments and competitive changes, making it a memorable season for Fortnite esports.
FNCS Major 1 Europe – The Makings of Champions
This year, FNCS introduced a thrilling Trios format, shifting from the previous Duos setup. This change paved the way for underdog teams to seize the spotlight. The FNCS Major 1 Europe was a pivotal event that shaped the competitive landscape. The top four teams at the Global Championships were dominated by European players, all of whom began their journey at Major 1 Europe. The Major 1 Europe Grand Finals, held in February, saw the region’s top 33 trios compete for an $816,000 prize pool and coveted world championship spots. Ultimately, the tournament was won by the unstoppable trio of BIG’s Taylor-Petrik ‘vic0’ Gatschelhofer, XSET’s Harry ‘Veno’ Pearson, and AIGHT’s Felix ‘Flickzy’ G., who accumulated 673 points.
FNCS 2025 Pro-Am – Creators and Pros Clash
The FNCS 2025 Pro-Am brought together 20 prominent Fortnite creators paired with professional players, competing for a $500,000 prize. Held at the University of Southern California’s Galen Centre, the event featured popular streamers such as FaZe Clan’s Rani ‘StableRonaldo’ Mach and Jack ‘CouRage’ Dunlop. The duo of Shaun ‘AussieAntics’ Cochrane and Peter ‘Peterbot’ Kata emerged victorious, marking the Pro-Am’s return after several years. The event’s success demonstrated Epic Games’ strategic move to blend the creator and competitive worlds, significantly boosting FNCS viewership in 2025.
Fortnite Not Featured in The Esports World Cup
Despite FNCS 2025’s success, Fortnite was notably absent from the Esports World Cup lineup. The CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation commented on the lack of a competitive system for Fortnite. The exclusion left fans divided, with some agreeing with the decision and others expressing disappointment. Nonetheless, Epic Games announced a partnership to bring Fortnite back to the World Cup in 2026, featuring a new competitive series with a revamped format that promises to emulate the FNCS structure.
History is Made
The year’s highlight was undoubtedly the FNCS Global Championship. Fans gathered in France to witness the crowning of the first trio of world champions in FNCS history. The tournament featured former champions and rising stars, but it was the trio of SwizzY, Merstach, and Queasy who claimed victory. Their impressive performance in the Grand Finals secured them 697 points, showcasing the impact of the Trios format and highlighting the competitive scene’s evolving dynamics.
As the year concluded, Epic Games unveiled plans for the 2026 FNCS season, including a return to the Duos format and the introduction of new events. With a renewed focus on expanding the competitive scene, 2026 promises to be a pivotal year for Fortnite esports, potentially elevating the game to new heights in the global esports arena.