Epic Video games has introduced that Fortnite will maintain a $2.5m (~£1.86m) Reload Elite Sequence competitors subsequent 12 months, which can conclude on the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC).
The sequence is a part of the gaming writer’s partnership with the Esports World Cup Basis, which can see Fortnite and Rocket League featured in subsequent 12 months’s occasion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In contrast to the Fortnite Championship Sequence (FNCS), the brand new circuit centres across the recreation’s Reload mode, a fast-paced 40-player battle royale the place teammates respawn as long as one member of the squad is alive.
In response to Epic Video games, the sequence will start with the 4 qualifiers operating between January and June, every of which can be cut up into 4 completely different phases.
Every qualifier begins with two Open Rounds, that includes 12 matches per Open. Regional development to the Play-Ins varies between areas.
- EU: High 2,000 duos
- NAC: High 1,000 duos
- OCE, ASIA, ME, BR, NAW: High 500 duos
Play-Ins will see the remaining groups compete in 24 matches throughout two rounds, the place the highest 80 transfer onto heats. The subsequent stage will see duos divided into 4 heats, that includes eight matches per warmth. The highest 5 squads from every warmth will then transfer on to the Finals.
Solely 20 duos, consisting of one of the best Fortnite gamers, will stay within the Finals for every area, the place the remaining groups will compete in eight matches for a spot within the Reload Elite Sequence Championship in EWC.
Developments will differ between every area:
- EU: High 3 groups qualify for EWC
- NAC: High 2 groups qualify for EWC
- NAW, OCE, ASIA, ME, BR: High group in every area qualifies for EWC
The primary qualifier for the Fortnite Reload Elite Sequence will start with Open 1 on January eighth, and finish with the Finals on February eighth, 2026.
Fortnite Heads to EWC 2026
The Reload Elite Sequence will characteristic a $1.5m (~£1.12m) in prize pool funds unfold throughout the areas, with first-place winners claiming as a lot as $30,000 (~£22,400) in EU.
An extra $1m in prize funds can be up for grabs on the planet championship at EWC.
This marks the battle-royale’s second look on the international esports occasion. Whereas Fortnite was included within the 2024 run, it didn’t characteristic within the 2025 version of EWC.
When chatting with the Saudi Arabian tv channel Al Ekhbariya on the time, Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Basis, said that the sport lacked “aggressive instruments” and “doesn’t have an enormous aggressive ecosystem.”
Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Video games Officer of the Esports World Cup Basis, commented on the announcement: “Fortnite has established one of many largest international participant communities and continues to affect gaming, leisure and digital tradition far past the aggressive area.
“Internet hosting the Fortnite Reload Elite Sequence Championship at EWC introduces a brand new international, multi-year aggressive ecosystem on the world’s greatest esports occasion.”
Epic Video games may even see its standard soccer car-racer recreation, Rocket League, featured on the Esports World Cup subsequent 12 months. Each video games will be a part of the 20 different titles already revealed for the worldwide occasion organised by the Saudi Arabian government-supported Esports World Cup Basis.
