The current Fortnite season launched on December 1, 2024
Fortnite Chapter 6, Season 1 began on December 1, 2024, and runs until around late February 2025. Epic Games typically releases a new season every 10 to 12 weeks, though the exact end date for this season has not been officially announced yet. You can see the countdown timer in the Fortnite launcher itself — it shows how many days and hours remain before the next season begins.
Each new season brings a map change, new weapons, new cosmetics to purchase, and a fresh Battle Pass with 100 levels of rewards. The season usually goes live at 2 a.m. Eastern Time on the announced date, though the servers may be down for maintenance an hour or two before that. If you try to launch Fortnite and cannot connect, the servers are likely still updating.
Fortnite is free to read and play on Windows, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and mobile through cloud gaming on some devices. You do not need to pay to play the base game, though the Battle Pass costs 950 V-Bucks (roughly $10 USD) if you want to unlock cosmetics and earn rewards as you level up during the season.
Key Takeaways
- Fortnite Chapter 6, Season 1 started December 1, 2024, and will end sometime in late February 2025.
- A countdown timer in the Fortnite launcher shows exactly how much time is left in the current season.
- New seasons arrive roughly every 10 to 12 weeks and include map changes, new weapons, and a new Battle Pass.
- The game is free to play on most devices, though the Battle Pass costs money if you want seasonal cosmetics and rewards.
How to find the exact season end date in the launcher
Open the Fortnite launcher on your device and look at the top right of the main menu screen. You will see a countdown timer labeled "Season ends in" with the number of days and hours remaining. This timer updates in real time and is the most reliable way to know when the current season will end and the next one will begin.
If you do not see a countdown timer, make sure you are logged into your Epic Games account. The launcher will not show season information if you are browsing as a guest. Once you log in, the timer appears automatically on the main menu.
What happens when a new season starts
When a new season launches, the Battle Pass resets. Any progress you made on the previous season's Battle Pass is locked — you cannot earn more rewards from it. If you purchased the Battle Pass for the old season, you will need to purchase a new one for the new season if you want to unlock cosmetics and earn rewards again.
The map also changes. Epic Games redesigns parts of the island, removes some named locations, and adds new ones. Weapons rotate out and new ones are introduced. These changes are part of what makes each season feel fresh, though the core gameplay loop stays the same.
Your account level, V-Bucks balance, and cosmetics you own do not reset. If you bought a skin or emote in a previous season, you keep it forever. Only the Battle Pass progress resets each season.
How to check if your device can run the current season
Fortnite's system requirements have stayed relatively stable across seasons. On PC, you need Windows 10 or later with at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470 graphics card. On Mac, you need macOS 10.14 or later with similar processor and RAM specs.
On console, Fortnite runs on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Nintendo Switch can run the game, though performance is lower than on other platforms. Mobile access depends on your device — you can play through Xbox Cloud Gaming or PlayStation Plus Premium on supported phones and tablets, or through the Epic Games App on Android devices.
If you are unsure whether your device meets the requirements, read the launcher or app and try to start a match. If your device cannot handle it, you will get an error message telling you what is missing.
Where to find patch notes and season details
Epic Games publishes detailed patch notes on the official Fortnite website under the "News" section. These notes explain every change that came with the new season — new weapons, map changes, bug fixes, and balance adjustments to existing items. The patch notes are usually posted a day or two before the season launches.
You can also find season information in the Fortnite launcher itself. Click on the "Battle Pass" tab to see what cosmetics and rewards are available this season. The launcher shows you exactly what you will unlock at each level if you purchase the Battle Pass.
Why seasons matter for your gaming experience
Seasons are how Fortnite keeps the game from becoming stale. Every 10 to 12 weeks, the map changes enough that you have to relearn where things are. New weapons mean you cannot rely on the same loadout forever. A new Battle Pass gives you something to work toward if you want cosmetics.
If you play casually, seasons do not affect you much — you can jump in anytime and play the same core game. If you play regularly or want to unlock cosmetics, knowing when seasons start and end helps you plan how much time you want to spend grinding the Battle Pass before it resets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still earn rewards from the old Battle Pass after a new season starts?
No. Once a new season begins, the previous season's Battle Pass is locked and you cannot earn any more rewards from it. If you did not finish the old Battle Pass, those rewards are gone. You can still use cosmetics you already unlocked, but you cannot progress further in the old pass.
Do I lose my skins and cosmetics when a new season starts?
No. Any cosmetics you purchased or unlocked in previous seasons stay in your account forever. Skins, emotes, pickaxes, and other cosmetics do not reset between seasons. Only the Battle Pass progress resets.
What time does the new season go live?
New seasons typically go live at 2 a.m. Eastern Time on the announced launch date. The servers may be down for maintenance an hour or two before that. If you cannot connect when the season is supposed to start, wait a few minutes and try again.
How long does each season last?
Most seasons last 10 to 12 weeks. The exact length varies — some seasons are slightly shorter or longer depending on Epic Games' schedule. The countdown timer in the launcher always shows the precise end date for the current season.
Do I have to buy the Battle Pass to play the new season?
No. The base game is free and you can play without buying the Battle Pass. The Battle Pass is optional and only unlocks cosmetics and extra rewards. You can play the full game, earn experience, and compete in matches without spending any money.