Fortnite OG rocket launch live event - our coverage of Blast Off as it happened

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A character in a gas mask rides in a shopping cart, flanked by a rocket ship and a flying robot
(Image: © Epic Games)

Fortnite OG ran its first ever live event earlier today (July 26, 2025). It was a recreation of the rocket launch that happened all the way back in 2018, which culminated in the first appearance of the crack in the sky that has now become a mainstay of the game.

Fortnite OG Blast Off live event - key info on the rocket launch

Fortnite OG Blast Off live event start time
Fortnite OG Blast Off event duration
How to watch the Fortnite OG rocket launch event
Live coverage as it happened

Now that Fortnite OG is a permanent mode, we can look forward to a new Fortnite OG season launching in early August. Before then, there's regular updates that add new weapons into the loot pool. So far, this season has really switched things up, and it's been a real treat to revisit Risky Reels and Dusty Divot. It's changes like these that have kept Fortnite well and truly cemented as one of the best free games to play in 2025.

Here's TechRadar Gaming's coverage of the Fortnite OG rocket launch live event as it happened. Now that the rocket launch is over, I'll be giving my impressions of what to expect from the end of Season 4.

Fortnite OG Blast Off live event start time

The Fortnite OG rocket ship against a purple space background. The words: "Blast Off" are written over it in big white block letters

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite OG's Blast Off live event took place on July 26 at 2pm ET / 11am PT / 7pm BST. Players could load into a match twenty minutes prior to the event, and wait with damage and storm circles deactivated.

Fortnite OG Blast Off event duration

A character in blue and pink streetwear stands next to a silver robot with orange trim, and a battle armor-clad character with a robotic helmet on.

(Image credit: Epic Games)

The original rocket launch event in Fortnite only lasted a few minutes, and the redo was no different. This was par for the course in older seasons of Fortnite.

How to watch the Fortnite OG rocket launch event

To watch the Fortnite OG rocket launch event, make sure to load into the game 30 minutes before the specified start time. Select Fortnite OG and wait for the event to start.

It's possible that there may be a separate playlist, which will go live prior to the event. Then, you just need to sit back and find a place to watch.

With the rocket launch, you'll be able to look up into the skies to see the rocket get intercepted. Last time, you were given a sort of floating drone view of things, so shouldn't have to worry about missing anything.

Live coverage as it happened

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Let's launch a rocket!

Hello and welcome to my live coverage of Fortnite OG's Blast Off event. I'll be giving my impressions as the event happens, detailing the event that starts in just over an hour.

Here's the key info

The Fortnite OG rocket ship against a purple space background. The words: "Blast Off" are written over it in big white block letters

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite OG will air its first ever live event at 2pm ET / 11am PT / 7pm BST. It's a recreation of the rocket launch that happened back in 2018, and we should see the spacefaring craft get intercepted and thrown through multiple rifts.

How to watch the rocket launch

You'll be able to jump into Fortnite OG and watch the rocket launch live. Make sure you get in a little early, I'd recommend half an hour, just to make sure you get your place in the queue.

Blast Off event - Live Soon

A rocket ship flies through space

(Image credit: Epic Games)

If you head into Fortnite OG now, you'll see a pop up message indicating that the Blast Off event will soon go live. We'll have to wait and see whether there's a separate playlist, or if the event will just naturally trigger during matches.

You can still play Fortnite OG while you wait

battle bus flies over the island

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite OG won't be experiencing any downtime around the rocket launch, so you can still hop in and play. We're currently on Season 4

Just 45 minutes to go!

A character in a gas mask rides in a shopping cart, flanked by a rocket ship and a flying robot

(Image credit: Epic Games)

The Fortnite OG Blast Off event will begin in just 45 minutes. Make sure your game is updated to the latest version, and select a Fortnite OG playlist to get entry into a match once the show starts.

Fortnite original rocket launch

Fortnite OG rocket launch - four players stand on the roof of a barn watching a rocket soar through the skies

(Image credit: Epic Games)

The original rocket launch happened in Fortnite during Season 4. This was the season that ran in 2018, so it's been a while since players were able to witness the now iconic event.

Last time, the rocket launched, and players could watch it climb up high into the skies above the island. Then, a transmission from The Visitor played out, and the rocket was intercepted. The rocket travelled through multiple rift portals before leaving a huge crack in the sky.

20 minutes to go!

Fortnite OG's Blast Off rocket launch will start in 20 minutes. I'll be jumping into a match 15 minutes beforehand to see if there's a safe zone of any kind. Stay tuned!

Matchmaking Error (#1)

Fortnite OG Matchmaking Error screen

(Image credit: Epic Games)

It seems Fortnite OG servers are currently overloaded, as players are being greeted with a Matchmaking Error (#1) message. Keep trying to load in, hopefully servers will be opened up closer to the event. I had the error previously, but got in eventually, so keep trying!

Damage has been turned off

It seems as if the storm circle and player damage have been turned off for the event. You won't have to worry about surviving long enough to see the rocket launch then.

Just 1 minute to go!

Get yourself a good view of the rocket launch. Sit back, and enjoy the show!

We have liftoff!

Blast off

(Image credit: Epic Games)

The rocket has launched, and is now soaring up towards space. We'll have to see whether The Visitor interferes this time around.

The final rift is red this time around!

A red rift crack in the skies above the Fortnite Island

(Image credit: Epic Games)

It appears that the Blast Off event played out precisely as before, except for one key detail. The crack that appeared in the sky at the end is red this time, rather than blue. We'll have to see what this means, but it's clear that Epic Games has some tricks up its sleeves.

A red butterfly

Just before the rocket launch, I saw a red butterfly appear and circle around my character. This matches the color of the rift crack that appeared at the end of the event.

So, what's next?

A square base headquarters at the bottom of a crater

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite OG Season 4 still lasts until August 8, 2025. If things follow the pattern of the original run, we'll start to see rifts appearing around the island, in the aftermath of the Blast Off event. These rifts will pull objects out of the island and replace them with objects from other worlds. This all leads into Season 5, which will have the theme of "Worlds Collide".

Looks like the crack in the sky is here to stay

Looking up at a red crack in the sky

(Image credit: Epic Games)

In my matches following the Blast Off event, I've seen the red crack permanently in the sky. This will stick around til Season 5 at the very least. Hopefully we'll find out why it's red sooner rather than later.

That's all for now

Fish Stick lies in a crater, surrounded by purple glowing energy

(Image credit: Epic Games)

That concludes TechRadar Gaming's live coverage of the Fortnite OG rocket launch event. I'm now setting my sights on August 8, 2025, which will see Fortnite OG Season 5 launch. The main battle royale mode will be switching seasons too, and I'm excited to see what's next for Fortnite. Bye for now!