Winter is far from over in the Outlands. Respawn Entertainment has unveiled the Apex Legends Winter Wipeout event, a festive limited-time celebration bringing a flurry of new content to the game's Olympus map, including the highly anticipated debut of hoverboards.
Winter Wipeout Event Start Time and Duration
Mark your calendars, Legends. The event is scheduled to commence at 6pm GMT on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This follows the standard launch window for most Apex Legends updates. Players will have a generous three-week period to enjoy the festivities, with the event concluding on Monday, January 27, 2026.
For those keen on collecting exclusive cosmetic items, EA has confirmed that event-related skins and packs will remain available in the in-game shop for an additional two weeks, until February 10, 2026.
New Features and Gameplay Additions
The headline act of the Winter Wipeout is the introduction of the Hoverboard Wildcard. This new gameplay mechanic will see players start certain matches with a hoverboard already equipped in their Survival item slot. Early footage shows Octane effortlessly carving through the newly snow-dusted slopes of Olympus, using the board for high-speed traversal, evasion, and aggressive pushes.
Mastering the hoverboard unlocks more than just speed. Players can perform a variety of tricks, including a double jump, wall-rides, and aerial manoeuvres, all of which can reward EVO points to upgrade your armour mid-match.
Legend Balance Changes and Cosmetic Collection
Alongside the hoverboard, the Winter Wipeout update includes significant adjustments to several Legends. Newcastle, Octane, and Crypto have all received targeted ability overhauls. Octane benefits from a reworked Stim and improved passive healing, while Crypto's toolkit now grants him enhanced stealth capabilities.
Naturally, a new event means a fresh collection of legendary skins. The Winter Wipeout packs feature a winter sports aesthetic for a roster of characters, including:
- Bloodhound
- Alter
- Fuse
- Mad Maggie
- Gibraltar
- Newcastle
Matching weapon skins will also be available, allowing players to fully embrace the frosty theme. For a complete breakdown of all changes, players are directed to read the official patch notes on EA's website.
The Winter Wipeout event promises to reinvigorate the battle royale with a unique movement-based Wildcard and meaningful meta shifts, ensuring the Apex Games start 2026 with a thrilling chill.
