The Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) is set to make a thrilling comeback in 2026, bringing competitive excitement to players worldwide. With a hefty $10 million prize pool at stake, players will battle it out in a series of events to claim their share of the glory. This upcoming season marks a return to the duos format, after last year’s exploration with trios.
**Structure of the FNCS 2026 Season**
The new FNCS season kicks off with a Trial event on January 31st, 2026, where players will be placed into divisions based on their performance. These initial results will impact their standing in the Divisional Cups, setting the stage for duos to qualify for one of three Majors.
In Fortnite Chapter 7, the Majors are scheduled as follows: Major 1 from April 6th to 26th, Major 2 from July 20th to August 9th, and Major 3 from September 21st to October 11th. Each Major will have three stages, including the Play-In Stage, where top-performing duos will advance based on leaderboard rankings.
**Advancement to Major Finals and Beyond**
Successful teams in the Heat Stage will move on to the Major Finals, divided into groups for competitive play across various regions. The Last Chance lobby provides one final opportunity for duos to advance by securing victory royales.
**The Road to the FNCS Global Championship**
In the Major Finals, duos will compete across 12 matches to be crowned champions, with winners receiving the Axe of Champions 3.0. Top performers from the Major Finals will head to the FNCS Major One Summit in May 2026, where a $1 million prize pool awaits. The summit’s top five duos will qualify for the ultimate event, the Fortnite Global Championship, scheduled for November 2026. This grand finale will feature 50 teams competing over 12 games, each vying for a share of the $2 million prize pool and the esteemed title of world champions.