Fortnite OG Rocket Launch event: What to expect

A computer monitor on a desk displays a Fortnite game, showing armored figures and holographic graphics — Image credit: Epic Games / Fortnite

TL;DR

Fortnite’s iconic Blast Off event from 2018 is returning to Fortnite OG, renamed to Rocket Launch.
The event goes live on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 7PM BST, with times varying by region (full schedule included below).
Expect rifts, new POIs, and possible map changes after the event has concluded, though Epic Games hasn’t confirmed all the details.
Rocket Launch marks the beginning of the end of Fortnite OG Season 4, likely setting up a multiverse twist or merged storylines.

One thing Epic Games is known for is its iconic Fortnite live events – huge-scale cinematic experiences that take place in real time, pushing the story (and the map) forward while closing the curtain on the previous season. This time, Fortnite OG players will be treated to a blast from the past – literally.

With Fortnite OG revisiting classic content for a nostalgia trip, Epic Games is set to recreate one of Fortnite’s most legendary moments: the Blast Off event from 2018’s Chapter 1 Season 4. Here’s everything you need to know about Fortnite OG’s Rocket Launch live event.

The Rocket Launch sets the stage for the explosive end of Fortnite OG Season 4 / Image credit: Fortnite

What is the Fortnite OG Rocket Launch event?

The original Rocket Launch, also known as Blast Off, was Fortnite’s first-ever significant event and marked the beginning of live storytelling in the battle royale.

During the event on June 30, 2018, an in-game rocket shot off into space from the Villain’s Lair, before suddenly veering off course and crashing at Tilted Towers. This caused an explosion, opening up several rifts around the map and the “Crack in the Sky,” bringing in the idea of alternate realities in Fortnite.

You can watch the original Fortnite Blast Off below from Season 4

When is the Fortnite OG Rocket Launch event?

As confirmed by Epic Games, the Fortnite OG Rocket Launch live event is scheduled for:

7PM (BST) Saturday, July 26, 2025

This event is timed to occur two weeks before Fortnite OG Season 4 ends on August 7, meaning it’ll likely be a lead-in to Season 5.

If you’re from a different region from the UK and want to find out when the Rocket Launch event begins so you don’t miss out, the complete release dates/times are listed below:

Europe: July 26 at 9PM CET
US (East): July 26 at 2PM ET
US (West): July 26 at 11AM PT
China: July 27 at 1:30AM CST
Australia: July 27 at 3:30AM AEDT
New Zealand: July 27 at 5:30AM NZDT

Sure hope these coordinates are right 🤞

Find out on July 26 at 2pm ET at the OG Rocket Launch Event. pic.twitter.com/OEn2dsqTHs
— Fortnite (@Fortnite) July 18, 2025

The Rocket Launch event will only last a few minutes. Be sure to log in early and queue into a match ahead of time to guarantee you’re in when the event starts. Server overloads can happen during major events, so don’t wait until the last minute!

How to watch the Fortnite OG Rocket Launch event

Watching Fortnite live events is easy, but timing is everything. Here’s how to make sure you don’t miss out.

Log in about 30 mins early. Fortnite events are a huge deal, and with thousands of players trying to get on at the same time, the servers could get overloaded, and game queues could get long.
Join the Fortnite OG playlist. The event will trigger across all ongoing Fortnite OG matches, so being in-game is all you need.
Land somewhere safe. Avoid hot-drop zones or major POIs if you want to watch the event in peace.
Stay aware. While some players might treat events as peaceful viewing parties, others may still try to eliminate players.

Vibrant blue lightning cracks across a starry purple night sky with wispy clouds, creating a dramatic and energetic atmosphere — Expect to see rifts popping up across the Fortnite OG map following the Rocket Launch event / Image credit: Fortnite

What to expect from the Rocket Launch in Fortnite OG

For the Fortnite OG live event, players can expect another rocket launch, except with more modern effects, animations, and possibly new in-game consequences. Once new rifts are opened up, it’ll set the stage for new OG map changes and more Points of Interest (POIs), potentially changing up the map with previously vaulted locations.

Players can also expect to see some new weekly quests tied to the aftermath of the event. To mix up the weapon pool for the end of the season, Epic could also unvault older weapons. However, there hasn’t been any official confirmation on this yet, so take this speculation with a pinch of salt.

Some Fortnite players anticipate that Epic Games will use the new rifts to merge the OG and regular Battle Royale storylines together, thanks to the alternate reality mechanic introduced back in Fortnite Season 5.

Conclusion

Fortnite OG was designed to be a nostalgia trip, and bringing back the game’s first-ever live event is a throwback many players will enjoy, especially if they missed it back in 2018.

The Rocket Launch will also set the stage for what’s next when Fortnite OG Season 4 closes out on August 7, 2025, likely with teleporting rifts and interdimensional hijinks, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a (safe) front-row seat to the action.

FAQs

What is the Fortnite OG Rocket Launch event?

The Fortnite OG Rocket Launch event is a redo of the iconic event from Fortnite Chapter 4 in 2018, called Blast Off.

When is the Fortnite OG Rocket Launch event?

The Fortnite OG Rocket Launch live event will be happening on July 26/27 across all Fortnite OG matches. You can find exact timings across all regions further up.