After a quiet period following its festive Winterfest event, Fortnite is gearing up for a blockbuster return with a major new collaboration. Leaked information points to an imminent crossover with the iconic animated series South Park, set to arrive alongside a significant game update.
South Park Invades the Island This Week
According to prominent Fortnite insider Hypex, developer Epic Games is preparing to launch the South Park crossover this Friday. The new content is scheduled to follow the release of update 39.20 on January 9, which will roll out across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile platforms.
While the exact timing for the item shop refresh is unconfirmed, the crossover is expected to introduce multiple character skins from the long-running Comedy Central show. Reports also suggest the update will include unique mythic weapons and items that may have an effect on the game's signature storm mechanic.
A Packed 2026 Roadmap Revealed
Beyond this week's update, a broader schedule for Fortnite's year has emerged from the leaks. The timeline for upcoming seasons provides a clear picture of Epic Games' plans for the popular battle royale title.
Fortnite Chapter 7, Season 2 is slated to begin on March 5, with Season 3 expected to follow on April 30. The leaks also indicate that a Chainsaw Man crossover event is planned for the current season, though a specific date has not been pinned down.
The November Showdown with GTA 6
The most intriguing leak concerns the launch window for the game's next major chapter. Fortnite Chapter 8 is currently pencilled in for a November 28 start date. This positioning creates a direct clash with one of the most anticipated releases in gaming history: Grand Theft Auto VI.
Rockstar Games' GTA 6 is scheduled for launch on November 19, just over a week before the proposed Fortnite chapter. This sets the stage for a fascinating battle for players' time and attention during the crucial holiday season. The gaming community is now speculating whether Fortnite's player base might see a temporary dip, or if Epic Games has a surprise counter-move, such as a potential crossover event, planned.
With the South Park collaboration imminent and a full year of content now mapped out, Fortnite players have plenty to look forward to. However, all eyes will be on that late-November calendar, waiting to see how the titans of Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto navigate their high-stakes release date standoff.
