When does Fortnite Season 6 start? Release date, Season 5 live event, leaks

As fans look ahead to Fortnite Season 6, we’ve got everything you need to know about the next update including a release date and the biggest rumors.

Fortnite Season 5 dropped on December 2, 2021, and introduced a ton of changes to The Island including an exposed Zero Point, crossovers with The Mandalorian and The Walking Dead, a new type of currency called Gold Bars, and a series of Exotic weapons.

While the update has been well-received by existing fans and has brought many former players back to the game, attention is now turning to the upcoming Season 6 update, which will no doubt bring a whole host of exciting features to the game.

We’ve scoured the internet for every rumor, leak, and theory about what Fortnite Season 6 has in store for us, including potential themes and when fans can expect it to arrive on their PC or consoles.

When does Fortnite Season 5 end?

It’s been confirmed that Fortnite Season 5 will finish on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at 12 AM ET | 4 AM GMT, which is when downtime will begin ahead of Season 6.

While some recent seasons have been extended multiple weeks beyond their original end date to allow Epic more time to perfect their next update, it’s now been announced that won’t happen this time around.

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The official Fortnite website explains that players will need to complete the current season’s Battle Pass by March 15, 2021, meaning Season 5 will also come to an end on that day to make room for Season 6.

When does Fortnite Season 6 start?

Epic Games have confirmed that Fortnite Season 6 will begin on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. It’s likely that downtime will end at 4 AM ET | 8 AM GMT, which is when the Season 6 cinematic premieres.

It’s also been revealed that the new season will officially kick off with the Zero Crisis Finale, an exciting solo event that all players can experience the first time they log in to the game after Season 6 begins.

While there will be some downtime between seasons, it’s unlikely there will be a major Black Hole event like previous seasons.

Fortnite Zero Crisis Finale event details

While previous Fortnite seasons have ended with huge live events including a boss fight with Marvel villain Galactus and a devastating Mecha v Monster battle, Epic Games are breaking tradition with Season 6.

Instead of ending Season 5 with a live event, they’re kicking off Season 6 with a solo experience called the Zero Crisis Finale. It will bring an end to the events of Season 5, and conclude Agent Jonesy’s mission.

Epic have promised the event will feature the game’s “most ambitious story cinematic yet” and that the aftermath will “shape Reality as we know it”, so expect to see some pretty big changes going into Season 6.

Teasing for the event has already begun. Starting with the v15.50 patch update that went live on March 2, the Zero Point is turning purple, becoming severely cracked, and emitting some very unusual sounds.

What will the Fortnite Season 6 theme be?

We won’t truly know the theme of Chapter 2 Season 6 until it launches, but fans already have many predictions and theories about what could happen in the new season of Fortnite.

One of the biggest rumors is that Chapter 2 Season 6 will reimagine the Darkness theme from Chapter 1 Season 6. This would likely mean a comeback for Kevin the Cube, the mysterious purple object that once caused mayhem on The Island.

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It’s a theory that’s backed up by popular YouTuber Ali-A, who pointed out that each season in Chapter 2 is mimicking its corresponding season in Chapter 1. For example, Chapter 1 Season 4 was superhero-themed, while Chapter 2 Season 4 focused on Marvel superheroes and villains.

Elsewhere, a newly-announced collaboration between DC Comics and Fortnite has also led to speculation that a DC-themed Battle Pass could be on the way, as it’s been confirmed that events that happen in a new series of comic books will affect what happens in Season 6.

Meanwhile, a rather interesting leak appears to have hinted at NPC drivers and boss vehicles. Could we see those make their debut in Season 6? We’ll have to wait and see…

What new weapons and skins will be in Season 6?

As with every other season of Fortnite, Chapter 2 Season 6 will bring with it a new Battle Pass that will offer a number of skins, back blings, gliders, and wraps for players to unlock as they progress.

We don’t know what they’ll be yet, but given the high-profile nature of recent skins, with the likes of The Mandalorian and Marvel/DC superheroes showing up, we’d expect at least one major crossover to launch the season.

A new Gaming Legends series of skins was introduced in Season 5, with Halo’s Master Chief and God of War’s Kratos joining the battle. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for more in Season 6, like the rumored Samus Aran.

As for weapons, it’s been confirmed that Gold Bars will appear in Season 6, so we’ll have to wait and see whether Exotic-class additions like the Shadow Tracker Pistol and The Dub will carry across or if there will be a whole new selection to choose from.

Is there a trailer for Season 6?

There’s no trailer for Fortnite Season 6 yet, as that usually arrives on the day of the new season update. Epic Games have shared a few intriguing teaser clips, though, which have given away a few key details.

It appears that the Save The World shotgun ‘Black Drum’ will be coming to Battle Royale, while the image of a wolf’s mouth appears to confirm previous leaks about wolf NPC enemies appearing on The Island.

Elsewhere in the teaser, players have noticed what looks like the jersey of Brazilian football star Neymar Jr, as well as the 2014 World Cup football, leading to speculation that he’ll get his own skin in the game.