Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 8 brings back pirate shenanigans to the Island. Expect to go on treasure hunts, fire cannons, and revisit classic locations such as Lazy Lagoon and Sunny Steps in what would be another nostalgic Fortnite season.
Season 8 was the first pirate-themed Fortnite Season that introduced one of the most visually stunning POIs in the game to date – The Volcano. It was also, surprisingly, the first season to offer a free battle pass, as a sign of goodwill from Epic Games during a turbulent time for the game. It’s likely not going to happen again, especially since the company just raised V-Bucks prices.
Regardless, whether you’re a veteran Season 8 fan looking to dip your toes in nostalgia or someone who hopped on the battle bus later, you’re in the right place. Here’s when you can start playing Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 8, and what you can expect from it.
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When is Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 8 release date?
Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 8 starts on April 1, 2026. You can expect 2-4 hours of downtime, as is usually the case when a new season begins. Fortunately, you should be able to pre-download the update before the server goes down.
Below you can find a list of Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Start 8 expected start times in various time zones:
| Region | Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 8 start time |
|---|---|
| Chicago (CT) | 8 am, April 1 |
| Dubai (GST) | 5 pm, April 1 |
| Greenwich (UTC) | 1 pm, April 1 |
| New York (ET) | 9 am, April 1 |
| London (BST) | 2 pm, April 1 |
| Los Angeles (PT) | 6 am, April 1 |
| Sydney (AEDT) | 12 am, April 2 |
| Tokyo (JST) | 11 pm, April 1 |
Fortnite OG seasons can last over two months, so don’t expect this one to conclude until the first week of June, 2026.
What to expect from Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 8?
Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 8 adds three POIs to the island – The Volcano, Lazy Lagoon, and Sunny Steps, alongside three new remix skins for Blackheart, Hybrid, and Luxe. You should also expect a slew of returning weapons and gadgets, including the stealthy Shadow Bomb.
Treasure maps are also coming back, so expect to spend plenty of time running around POIs like a true pirate. Speaking of which, you will also be able to use Pirate Cannon to bomb enemies from a distance.
Other additions include Flint-Knock Pistol, Infantry Rifle, Heavy Assault Rifle, Impulse Grenade, Poison Dart Traps, Boom Bow, and Poison Dart Trap.
Arguably, the coolest item returning in OG Season 8 is The Baller, the one-person vehicle that hasn’t been seen since Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1. Unfortunately, it won’t be available at launch and will be added later.
That’s all you need to know about Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 8.
