Free Fortnite Kitsune sidekick and huge 2026 leaks FortniteInsider

Fortnite players are riding a serious hype wave as Winterfest 2025 winds down and a massive batch of leaks points to one of the biggest early-year updates we have seen in a long time. With only two days left to open the remaining Winterfest presents, players are rushing to unlock the Cheeks outfit by opening at least 14 gifts.

But Winterfest rewards are just the warm-up. A free Fortnite Kitsune sidekick, major Battle Pass expansions, new Mythic weapons, returning storyline characters, and a leaked South Park event pass are all lining up to make Fortnite Chapter 7 wild heading into 2026.

Source: iRushAlways

Winterfest countdown and last chance rewards

As the snow melts and the island prepares to return to normal, this is the final push to finish everything Winterfest has to offer. If you are still missing presents, now is the time to jump in and grab them before the event expires.

The Cheeks outfit remains one of the most sought-after cosmetics this Winterfest, and it is only unlockable by opening 14 presents in total. If you are close, it is absolutely worth finishing.

There is also still time to complete the Squad Up quest, which rewards a free pickaxe for collecting 400 shiny llamas in squad modes. Blitz Royale makes this incredibly fast, and most players can finish it in one or two sessions. The quest disappears on January 5, so do not sleep on it.

First Fortnite 2026 update arrives January 9

The first Fortnite update of 2026 is expected to drop on January 9, and leaks suggest it brings major value to Battle Pass owners.

Players have already spotted 15 new rewards tied to base Battle Pass skins, including upgrades for Cat, Carter, Karina, Kingston, and Dark Voyager. These rewards function similarly to super level styles and unlock all the way up to level 200.

This is shaping up to be one of the biggest Battle Pass expansions we have seen in recent seasons and gives high-level grinders a strong reason to keep pushing XP.

OG Battle Pass secrets

Inside the OG Battle Pass, only three pages of rewards are currently visible. Dataminers have found that skins like Lieutenant Winter, Lynx, and Onesie all have additional styles that are not yet unlockable.

These hidden styles are expected to go live with the January 9 update, meaning OG fans still have plenty to look forward to.

Storyline clues point to major lore shift

Epic is quietly laying the groundwork for something big in the Fortnite storyline. The Void Walker Lynx outfit appears directly connected to Dark Voyager, and both can be seen together on the Runic Lunge loading screen.

At the same time, the Cradle hovering above Inoloop Labs continues to stare directly at the Zero Shard. Many players believe the first 2026 update could trigger a major story event that reshapes the direction of Chapter 7.

New NPCs and powerful mythic weapons

The January update is also expected to introduce new NPCs to the island, including The Foundation and a new version of The Visitor from OG Season 4. This marks the return of key characters that have been missing from the story since Chapter 3.

These NPCs are tied to upcoming mythic weapons, including:

Se7en Rifle – rumored to fire explosive bolts and act as an evolved Rail Gun
Se7en Cannon – believed to be a next-generation Hand Cannon

Exact stats and mechanics are still unknown, but both weapons are expected to shake up the meta once they go live.

Free Fortnite Kitsune sidekick coming soon

One of the most exciting cosmetic updates is the arrival of the free Kitsune sidekick. Datamined information confirms it will be available for free in the Fortnite Item Shop in early January, possibly as soon as January 3 or 4.

If you owned the original Kitsune back bling from Fortnite Chapter 1 Season X, you will be able to transfer three edit styles to the new sidekick. Be aware that these choices are permanent, so pick carefully.

Even if you never owned the original, the Fortnite Kitsune sidekick will still be available as a free reward. If it does not appear automatically in your locker, make sure to manually claim it from the Item Shop.

I still run Ru as my favorite sidekick, but the Kazune might take over once my styles are locked in. If Epic keeps handing out sidekicks like this, seeing classics like Mini Marauder return next Winterfest would not be surprising.

South Park event pass and Stick of Truth mythic

One of the biggest collaboration leaks points to an upcoming South Park event pass. Early leaks suggest South Park characters will appear in mech-style suits, similar to how crossover skins were handled during previous themed seasons.

The event pass is expected to feature:

Free rewards available to all players
Premium rewards for those who purchase the pass
New South Park themed skins
A mythic item called the Stick of Truth

The Stick of Truth is likely inspired by the South Park game of the same name. While its gameplay effect is still unknown, community speculation ranges from a powerful melee weapon to a magic-based mythic tied to South Park lore.

If true, this event could signal a return to full event passes instead of short mini seasons, something many players have wanted since Chapter 5.

What to do before the update drops

Finish opening Winterfest presents to unlock the Cheeks outfit
Complete the Squad Up quest for the free pickaxe before January 5
Claim the free Kitsune sidekick when it hits the Item Shop
Level up your Battle Pass ahead of January 9
Watch for new NPCs and mythic weapons after the update

Fortnite Chapter 7 is lining up to kick off 2026 in a huge way, with free rewards, major updates, and collaborations that could redefine how Fortnite handles events going forward.