Fortnite’s next update, v42.40, is scheduled for Thursday, October 15. It lands at the halfway point of Fortnitemares 2026, two weeks after v42.30 kicked off the Halloween event on October 1.
Epic has already dated two new Sprites for the update. The Hazbin Hotel collab is also widely expected around the same time, although Epic has not confirmed it yet. Here’s everything we know so far.
When does Fortnite v42.40 release?
Fortnite v42.40 is due on Thursday, October 15, 2026. That keeps Epic’s usual two-week cadence, following v42.30 on October 1.
Epic hasn’t posted a downtime notice yet. The v42.30 update went offline at 4 AM ET (8 AM UTC), with matchmaking disabled 30 minutes before, so expect a similar window.
New Sprites: Honey and Obsession
Two Sprites are confirmed for October 15 in Epic’s Fortnitemares schedule:
- Honey Sprite: when an enemy damages you, it sends bees after them.
- Obsession Sprite: One Wish Willow helps you track down and collect other Sprites. It’s tied to the Obsession crossover, so the matching Obsession cosmetics are expected to reach the Item Shop after the update too.
They join the Sprites already added this season, including the Bounty Hunter Sprites that got their own Power Hours on October 3.
Is Hazbin Hotel coming with v42.40?
Possibly, but Epic hasn’t given a date yet. Hazbin Hotel was named in Epic’s official Fortnitemares announcement. The extended trailer shows three outfits: Charlie Morningstar, Vaggie and Alastor.
Epic’s first-week Item Shop schedule ran from October 1 to October 8 and didn’t include the Hazbin Hotel skins. That leaves the October 15 update as the most likely launch point, and several outlets are pointing to that date. Early estimates put the full bundle at around 3,500 to 4,000 V-Bucks, but that pricing is speculation.
No other Hazbin Hotel characters, such as Angel Dust or Lucifer, have been announced. Treat any leaks of extra outfits with caution until Epic confirms them.
Last chance to buy Freddy Krueger
If you want the A Nightmare on Elm Street cosmetics, buy them before October 17. That’s when they’re reported to leave the Item Shop, just two days after the update.
- A Nightmare on Elm Street Bundle:2,300 V-Bucks
- Freddy Krueger outfit: 1,600 V-Bucks
The bundle includes the outfit, Back Bling, Pickaxe, Kicks, Glider, Emote and a Guitar. You can still fight Freddy for free in Battle Royale: he waits at the Nightmare Neighborhood POI, and defeating him drops Freddy’s Nightmare, a Mythic that teleports you into range for a slash attack.
Check today’s shop on itemshop.gg to see what’s listed right now.
Fortnitemares so far
Fortnitemares 2026 runs until November 1. Here’s what’s already live:
- Battle Royale: the new Nightmare Neighborhood POI with Freddy Krueger, plus Freaky Fields. The new Bonerattler SMG reveals enemies, and the Wood Stake Shotgun and Pumpkin Launcher are back.
- Cursed Overrides: turn invisible while sprinting, deal more damage at low health, or disguise your squad as Halloween props. You can also beat Five Nights at Freddy’s animatronic bosses and possess them.
- Horde Rush: the limited-time mode has returned.
- Item Shop: Five Nights at Freddy’s (4,500 V-Bucks bundle), Freddy Krueger, Black Clover and Hollow Knight have all dropped.
Reload joined in on October 8 with a new season, Nitemare Island: Kado’s Curse. Elite Kado Thorne runs a refreshed Nitemare Island, and new Siphon loot restores health as you deal damage. The season also reset Ranked and Map Mastery with new cosmetic rewards. The Stranger Things and Squid Grounds maps were added to the rotation alongside it.
Still to come this month, according to Epic’s lineup: 99 Nights in the Forest, The Purge, Slender Man, Beetlejuice, Predator: Badlands and Universal Studios‘ Halloween Horror Nights, plus Hazbin Hotel and Obsession.
What comes after v42.40?
According to leaked update dates shared by dataminers in September, Chapter 7 Season 4: Override ends on October 31. A mini-season would follow on November 1, bridging the gap to Chapter 8 Season 1 on December 5. Earlier leaks have linked One Piece to that November mini-season. None of these dates are confirmed by Epic yet.
- Oct 15th: v42.40: Honey and Obsession Sprites (Confirmed)
- Oct 17th: Freddy Krueger leaves the item shop (Reported)
- Oct 31st: Chapter 7, Season 4 ends (Leaked)
- Nov 1st: Fornitemares ends; mini-season begins (Confirmed/leaked)
- Dec 5th: Chapter 8, Season 1 begins (Leaked)
We’ll post the full v42.40 patch notes on update day.
