Fortnitemares 2026 is more than a Halloween Shop rotation. The update changes the Battle Royale map and loot pool, adds Five Nights at Freddy's animatronic bosses, brings Freddy Krueger to the Island, revives Horde Rush and introduces four new Sprites.
The event is live now and runs through November 1. More Sprites, Reload maps and collaborations are scheduled to arrive throughout October.
If you are here for the collectibles, use our Fortnite Sprite checklist to track every Base and variant finish. Our complete Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprite guide explains every ability, rarity, unlock method and finish.
Fortnitemares 2026 at a glance
- Fortnitemares runs through November 1.
- Freaky Fields and Nightmare Neighborhood bring Halloween changes to Battle Royale.
- Freddy Krueger is a boss who drops Freddy's Nightmare.
- Five Nights at Freddy's animatronics can be defeated and possessed.
- Freddy Fazbear, Foxy, Chica and Bonnie are available as outfits.
- The Bonerattler SMG is new, while the Wood Stake Shotgun, Witch Broom and other Halloween weapons return.
- Horde Rush is back with perks, upgrades, Cursed Shrines and an Endless Mode.
- Spooky Dash, Vampire, The Deer and Dumpster Dive are the four new Sprites.
- Honey and Obsession Sprites are scheduled for October 15.
- More collaborations are coming throughout the month, including Hollow Knight, Hazbin Hotel, Beetlejuice, Slender Man and Predator: Badlands.
When does Fortnitemares 2026 end?
Fortnitemares 2026 ends on November 1.
Several parts of the event arrive before then rather than launching together. The main dates announced so far are:
| Date | Fortnitemares update |
|---|---|
| October 1 | Main update, new Sprites, FNAF content, map changes and Horde Rush |
| October 3 | Bounty Hunter Sprite Power Hours |
| October 8 | Nightmare Island, Stranger Things and Squid Grounds join Reload |
| October 15 | Honey and Obsession Sprites arrive |
| November 1 | Fortnitemares 2026 ends |
Epic has not given individual release dates for every announced outfit. Treat anything without a date as confirmed for October, but not necessarily available in the Shop yet.
Fortnitemares map changes
The Halloween update spreads across Battle Royale rather than being contained in one corner of the map.
Nightmare Neighborhood and Freddy Krueger
Nightmare Neighborhood is the major new Fortnitemares POI. Freddy Krueger can appear behind a harmless-looking disguise before vanishing and closing the distance on players.
Defeating him drops Freddy's Nightmare, a melee weapon that teleports its user into striking range before attacking. It is built for suddenly closing gaps, not trading shots at range.
Pairing it with The Deer Sprite should be especially effective because The Deer increases melee damage.
Freaky Fields
Freaky Fields is the other named Fortnitemares destination. It gives the Island a second Halloween-focused landing area and another place to search for the new event loot and Sprites.
Five Nights at Freddy's animatronics
The FNAF crossover affects matches as well as the Item Shop. Animatronic bosses are lurking around the Island and can be possessed after you defeat them.
While possessing an animatronic, you play inside its shell instead of immediately returning to your normal character. If the shell runs out of health, you receive a brief grace period before it breaks and puts you back into the fight.
That effectively gives the animatronic a second-body role: extra protection and a way to force a fight without risking all of your normal health at once.
Five Nights at Freddy's skins and bundle
The first Fortnitemares collaboration is already live. The four main FNAF outfits are:
| Outfit | Launch price |
|---|---|
| Freddy Fazbear | 1,500 V-Bucks |
| Foxy the Pirate | 1,600 V-Bucks |
| Chica the Chicken | 1,500 V-Bucks |
| Bonnie the Rabbit | 1,500 V-Bucks |
| Five Nights at Freddy's Bundle | 4,500 V-Bucks |
The outfits include selectable or reactive details, including the damaged animatronic appearances shown in the Fortnitemares reveal. The full bundle also includes themed back blings, instruments, emotes, pickaxes, kicks and the Freddy Fazbear's Pizza wrap.
These were the prices shown in Fortnite's official Item Shop at launch. Shop availability can rotate during the event.
Freddy's Nightmare, Bonerattler SMG and returning weapons
Fortnitemares adds two major weapons and brings back several Halloween favorites.
Freddy's Nightmare
Freddy's Nightmare is obtained by defeating Freddy Krueger in Nightmare Neighborhood. Its teleporting slash helps melee players get into range before an opponent can simply back away.
The Deer Sprite boosts melee attacks, making it the obvious Sprite to try with this weapon.
Bonerattler SMG
The Bonerattler SMG can reveal enemies through walls. That gives it an information advantage before you push a room or chase someone through a building.
The weapon is available in Battle Royale and also appears in the Fortnitemares version of Blitz Royale.
Returning Fortnitemares weapons
The returning pool includes:
- Wood Stake Shotgun
- Dual Fiend Hunters
- Witch Broom
- Heavy Assault Rifle
- Pumpkin Launcher
New Loot Hacks and loot-pool changes
The update adds six Fortnitemares Loot Hacks:
- Last Call
- Infantry Rifle
- Pumpkin Launcher
- Light Machine Gun
- Slap Candy Corn
- Loot Hacker Sprite variants
The update also unvaults Quack Snacks and adds the Snack-O'-Lantern Gizmo. Throwing the Gizmo smashes it open and spills Exotic Candy.
The Drum Gun, Ranger Assault Rifle and Tetris Rift have been vaulted.
New Fortnitemares Overrides
Cursed cartridge Overrides change the normal rules of a match. The headline additions are:
- Spooky Sprinter: become invisible while sprinting.
- Berserk: deal more damage as your health gets lower.
- Spooky Prop Hunt: disguise your squad as Halloween props.
- Health conversion: trade shields for additional health.
- Pumpkin attacks: fire pumpkin rockets while using weapons.
All new Fortnitemares Sprites
Four Sprite families arrived with the October 1 update.
| Sprite | Rarity | Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Spooky Dash | Mythic | Grants a rechargeable dash for entering or escaping fights |
| Vampire | Legendary | Restores health as you damage enemies |
| The Deer | Legendary | Makes melee attacks deal more damage |
| Dumpster Dive | Epic | Enter a hiding spot to find food that restores extra health |
Each new family has six listed finishes:
- Base
- Gold
- Cheat Master
- Loot Hacker
- Bounty Hunter
- Trick or Treat
Spooky Dash Sprite
Spooky Dash gives you dash charges that replenish over time. Because the ability is available without finding a separate movement item, it should be valuable for both closing distance and escaping a fight that turns against you.
Fortnite.GG currently lists Spooky Dash as Mythic.
Vampire Sprite
Vampire heals you as you damage opponents. Unlike an elimination-only heal, its effect can help during an active fight instead of waiting until the other player is already down.
It is listed as a Legendary Sprite.
The Deer Sprite
The Deer increases melee damage. Its clearest pairing is Freddy's Nightmare, although it should also improve other melee weapons available during the event.
It is listed as Legendary.
Dumpster Dive Sprite
Dumpster Dive adds a reward to hiding spots. Jump into one and the Sprite can find food that restores additional health.
It is listed as Epic and is one of the community-created Design-A-Sprite winners.
For locations, unlock advice and comparisons with the rest of the roster, see our full Fortnite Sprite guide.
Trick or Treat Sprite variants
Fortnitemares introduces Trick or Treat as the sixth Season 4 Sprite finish.
Fortnite.GG currently lists 24 Trick or Treat finishes. Trick or Treat Crown is marked released, while the other 23 have visible artwork but are not yet marked obtainable.
That distinction matters: an icon appearing in the files or on a tracker does not mean it can already drop in a match.
The expanded Sprite checklist contains 145 Season 4 entries across 25 Sprite families. It includes the unreleased Trick or Treat artwork in advance, with those entries marked so players do not waste time trying to find a finish that has not gone live.
Birthday is no longer a preview. Its Base, Gold, Cheat Master, Loot Hacker and Bounty Hunter versions are now released.
Cheat Codes have also changed into Trick or Treat Cheats for the event. Entering one can award an additional treat alongside the normal Sprite reward.
More Sprites coming October 15
Epic has announced two more Sprites for October 15:
- Honey Sprite: sends bees after enemies who damage you.
- Obsession Sprite: One Wish Willow helps you collect other Sprites.
Horde Rush returns with Endless Mode
Horde Rush is back as a full progression mode rather than a simple one-match survival run.
Squads fight waves of Cube Monsters, select perks and build a preferred loadout. Weapons can be purchased and upgraded, while Cursed Shrines let players voluntarily increase the difficulty.
Defeating the final boss does not have to end the run. Surviving squads can continue into Endless Mode and see how far the build they created can go.
Blitz Royale changes
Blitz Royale uses several of the event's signature weapons and characters:
- Bonerattler SMG
- Freddy's Nightmare
- Witch Broom
- Last Call
- Other returning Fortnitemares items
Reload changes coming October 8
Reload receives its Fortnitemares update on October 8.
Nightmare Island returns with a refreshed layout and horror-focused weapon pool. The map emphasizes Siphon loot that restores health as you deal damage.
Stranger Things and Squid Grounds also join the Reload rotation on the same date.
All confirmed Fortnitemares 2026 collaborations
Five Nights at Freddy's is the launch collaboration, but Epic has confirmed a much larger October lineup.
Announced outfits or accessories include:
- A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Black Clover
- Hollow Knight
- 99 Nights in the Forest
- Hazbin Hotel
- The Purge
- Obsession
- Slender Man
- Beetlejuice
- Predator: Badlands
- Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
How to unlock the free Jack-A-Nape skin
Jack-A-Nape is the original Fortnitemares monkey outfit shown alongside the crossover characters.
Complete 26 Fortnitemares quests to unlock it for free, according to Polygon's Fortnitemares update report.
The quests are available through the event tab and roll out during Fortnitemares. Check the requirement shown in game before grinding a specific mode, since the active quest list may expand as later updates arrive.
October 3 Bounty Hunter Power Hours
The first announced Fortnitemares Power Hours take place on October 3.
There are two starting times:
- 2 PM ET / 6 PM UTC
- 9 PM ET / October 4 at 1 AM UTC
This is the best announced window for players who are still missing Bounty Hunter finishes.
Fortnitemares 2026: frequently asked questions
Is Fortnitemares 2026 live? Yes. The main Fortnitemares update is live in Battle Royale, Horde Rush and Blitz Royale. Additional Reload maps and collaborations arrive later in October.
When does Fortnitemares 2026 end? Fortnitemares 2026 runs through November 1.
Is Five Nights at Freddy's in Fortnite? Yes. Freddy Fazbear, Foxy, Chica and Bonnie have Fortnite outfits. Animatronic bosses also appear during matches and can be possessed after they are defeated.
How do you get Freddy's Nightmare? Defeat Freddy Krueger in Nightmare Neighborhood. He drops Freddy's Nightmare, a melee weapon that teleports into striking range before attacking.
How do you get the Pumpkin Launcher? Activate the Pumpkin Launcher Loot Hack. It is not currently part of the normal chest and floor-loot pool.
What Sprites were added in Fortnitemares 2026? The October 1 update added Spooky Dash, Vampire, The Deer and Dumpster Dive. Honey and Obsession are scheduled for October 15.
How do you get Trick or Treat Sprites? Trick or Treat is a new Fortnitemares finish. Crown is currently the only one marked released. The other 23 listed Trick or Treat finishes have artwork but are still marked unreleased.
How do you unlock Jack-A-Nape? Complete 26 Fortnitemares quests during the event to unlock the Jack-A-Nape outfit.
Are Hollow Knight and Hazbin Hotel coming to Fortnite? Yes. Epic has confirmed Hollow Knight and Hazbin Hotel content for later in October, but has not announced an exact Shop date for either one.
What to do first
Start with the new Battle Royale locations and collect the four available Fortnitemares Sprites. Nightmare Neighborhood is the direct route to Freddy Krueger and Freddy's Nightmare, while the FNAF animatronics offer an extra layer of protection if you defeat and possess one.
After that, activate the Pumpkin Launcher and other event Loot Hacks, begin the Fortnitemares quest track for Jack-A-Nape, and use the Fortnite Sprite checklist to record every new finish you extract.
Do not chase the unreleased Trick or Treat finishes yet. Their artwork is already visible, but only Crown is currently marked obtainable.
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