Fortnite is approaching another big reset—and once again, players are asking the same thing: When does Chapter 7 Season 1 actually start? Epic Games is lining up the new chapter release right after the Zero Hour live event, with November 30, 2025, marked as the day the island changes again.

In this guide, you’ll get a breakdown of when Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 should go live, how long server downtime might last, and what to expect. We’ll also list the global start times for every major region and provide simple tips to prepare for the new chapter.

When Does Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 Start? (Date & Time)

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 is expected to begin on November 30–December 1, 2025, with the exact start time varying by your region. The update will roll out after the Zero Hour live event wraps up Chapter 6 and The Simpsons mini-season, followed by the usual Fortnite server downtime and maintenance period.

Based on current estimates and previous release dates, the next Fortnite update will roll out in the late afternoon or evening for most Western time zones.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Global Start Times (Expected)

These are the approximate Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 start times, based on community estimates and Epic’s usual update patterns:

Fortnite Chapter 7 Release Date Countdown Timer

The easiest way to follow the Fortnite Chapter 7 release date is directly in-game. You can check the Battle Pass tab for the official timer to see precisely when the current season ends.

Alternatively, you can view our Fortnite Chapter 7 countdown timer below, so you know exactly how long you have until the next chapter drops.

When Does the Current Fortnite Season End?

One way to estimate the timing of the next Fortnite season release is to check when the current season ends. Epic’s Simpsons-themed mini-season is slated to end on November 29, 2025, acting as the bridge between Chapter 6’s last primary season and the Chapter 7 reset.

Fortnite’s Zero Hour finale event kicks off on November 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET, giving players one last chaotic send-off before the island goes offline for maintenance.

Note: Because the live event itself runs for several hours and is immediately followed by a lengthy server downtime, Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 likely won’t actually be playable on November 29. Instead, the launch will roll over to the next day once maintenance is complete.

When Will Fortnite Server Downtime End?

Right after Zero Hour ends, Fortnite will enter a maintenance window to launch Chapter 7 Season 1. The exact duration of the maintenance isn’t set, but the best way to estimate it is by checking the downtime for past chapter releases:

• Chapter 4 Season 1: ~9 hours.
• Chapter 5 Season 1: ~11 hours.
• Chapter 6 Season 1: ~8 hours.

Based on historical downtime, it’s safe to assume that Fortnite Chapter 7 will experience a rather lengthy maintenance period lasting several hours.

How To Prepare For Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1

A new chapter is far bigger than the regular seasonal resets, so understanding Fortnite season transitions always pays off.

Chapter 7 is teased as a desert-heavy map with a flashy Hollywood-style hub and a Kill Bill-inspired storyline. This means that you can expect fresh POIs, mobility options, and a Battle Pass that leans directly into the collab.

If you want to be ready the moment the next Fortnite season release date hits, here are a few steps that can help:

• Clear storage space: Major chapter updates are usually larger downloads (the live event alone is expected to be nearly 1 GB).
• Finish key quests: Grind those Battle Pass pages and limited-time rewards before Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 rolls out.
• Set reminders for Zero Hour: Missing the live event means missing part of the story, even if Chapter 7 is playable later.
• Bookmark a Chapter 7 hub: A broader guide to Fortnite Chapter 7 (map changes, new weapons, Battle Pass rewards) makes it easier to adjust once you’re in the game.

FAQs

When does Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 start?

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 is expected to start on November 30, 2025, after the Zero Hour finale and a chunk of server downtime.

What time does Fortnite Chapter 7 start in my region?

The Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 release date and time are currently estimated to be 2 PM PT | 5 PM ET | 10 PM GMT | 11 PM CET, once downtime concludes. However, the exact times may shift if downtime ends sooner.

How long will Fortnite Chapter 7 downtime last?

Epic hasn’t locked in a final window, but you can expect several hours of maintenance, up to around half a day, between Zero Hour and Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 going live.

Do I need to play the Zero Hour event to access Chapter 7?

No. Fortnite Chapter 7 will be available once servers come back up. Zero Hour is a one-time story finale, not a requirement to log into the new chapter.

How big will the Fortnite Chapter 7 download be?

Epic hasn’t confirmed the exact size, but major chapter updates are usually larger than regular patches, so it’s worth freeing up several GB of storage.