The Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) is officially back in 2026, and it’s bigger than ever. Epic Games has revealed a massive $10,000,000 total prize pool, a Duos-only competitive format, and two major LAN events that will define Fortnite esports in Chapter Seven.
FNCS 2026 Kickoff: FNCS Trial – January 31
The road to glory begins on January 31, 2026, with the FNCS Trial. This short-form competitive event places players into Divisions based on performance.
Throughout Chapter Seven, Divisional Cups will allow duos to climb the ranks and work their way up to Division 1 (D1) — the only division that qualifies players for FNCS Majors.
FNCS 2026 Structure: Three Majors + Global Championship
FNCS 2026 will feature three Majors, all leading to the ultimate showdown at the Fortnite Global Championship. Each Major follows a four-stage competitive structure:
Play-In Stage
The Play-In Stage spans two days and serves as the entry point to each Major.
- Top 150 duos in EU & NAC
- Top 100 duos in all other regions
These teams advance to the Heat Stage.
Heat Stage
- EU & NAC: 3 heats
- Other regions: 2 heats
A Victory Royale in the Heat Stage guarantees instant qualification to the Major Finals. Additionally:
- Top 10 duos in EU & NAC
- Top 18 duos in other regions will also qualify for the Finals.
Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ)
Missed out on the Finals? The Last Chance Qualifier keeps hopes alive.
- Open to duos who played any Divisional Cup during Chapter Seven
- Top 50 duos per region advance to the LCQ lobby
- A single Victory Royale sends a duo straight to the Major Finals
Major Finals
The Major Finals are a two-day event featuring 12 matches.
- One winning duo per region is crowned FNCS Major Champion
- Winners earn prize money and wield the Axe of Champions 3.0 for the next Battle Royale season
FNCS Major 1 Summit – $1,000,000 LAN Event
Top-performing duos from Major 1 Finals will receive an invite to the $1,000,000 FNCS Major 1 Summit, a LAN event scheduled for May 2026. This marks one of the biggest in-person Fortnite competitions of the year.
Fortnite Global Championship 2026
Qualification for the Fortnite Global Championship LAN comes through:
- FNCS Major 1 Summit
- FNCS Major 2 Finals
- FNCS Major 3 Finals
The world’s best duos will battle it out for the title of best Fortnite duo globally and a share of the $2,000,000 Global Championship prize pool.
For a full breakdown of FNCS 2026, visit the official Fortnite Competitive page.