The Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) offers a prestigious and highly coveted prize for its champions: the Blade of Champions pickaxe. This virtual tool is not obtainable through in-game challenges or purchases from the item shop, making it one of the rarest items in Fortnite, rivaling even some of the earliest cosmetic items that have long since disappeared from circulation. The Blade of Champions is reserved exclusively for the elite few who emerge victorious in the fiercely competitive FNCS tournaments, signifying their dominance in the Fortnite arena.
Obtaining the Blade of Champions requires exceptional skill and dedication. It is awarded solely to the winners of FNCS tournaments, a feat achieved by only the top players globally, out of hundreds of thousands of competitors. This pickaxe serves as the ultimate bragging right, a testament to a player’s prowess and a symbol of their conquest in Fortnite’s premier competitive event. While it was previously the Axe of Champions that adorned the virtual lockers of FNCS winners, Epic Games, Fortnite’s developer, introduced the Blade of Champions as its replacement, signifying a new era in competitive Fortnite. Interestingly, the Axe of Champions, once a symbol of exclusivity, was later made available for purchase by all players, diminishing its unique status. The Blade of Champions, however, retains its exclusivity, further solidifying its prestige.
The Blade of Champions is more than just a cosmetic item; it’s a trophy, a testament to victory, and a constantly shifting symbol of competitive dominance. Each season, the reigning champions relinquish the Blade of Champions to the new victors of the FNCS Major. Currently, the honor belongs to Peterbot and Pollo, the champions of a previous FNCS Major, who will wield the coveted pickaxe until the conclusion of the next Major. Following their reign, the battle for the Blade, and the esteemed title of FNCS champion, continues throughout the year, with top players vying for the chance to claim this symbol of Fortnite mastery.
Aspiring FNCS competitors must reach Division 1 to participate in the 2025 Fortnite Championship Series. Division placement is determined by performance in the FNCS Trial, a crucial proving ground for competitive players. Throughout the season, players can ascend through divisions by excelling in weekly matches, earning both improved standings and additional prizes. Only Division 1 players qualify for the Play-In Stage, the gateway to the Major Finals, the ultimate stage of FNCS competition. The pinnacle of competitive Fortnite is the Grand Finals, affectionately known as “Grands,” where the top 50 duos from each region engage in a grueling two-day battle across 12 intense matches to determine the ultimate champions.
The FNCS 2025 boasts a substantial prize pool of $8 million, a slight increase from the previous year’s $7.67 million. The exact distribution of this prize money across regions and events is yet to be announced. In addition to the substantial monetary rewards, the 2025 FNCS champions will also receive the coveted Blade of Champions pickaxe, adding further prestige to their victory. This coveted prize, currently held by the 2024 Global Championship winners, Peterbot and Pollo, serves as a powerful motivator for aspiring champions in the competitive Fortnite scene.
Fans eager to witness the high-stakes competition of FNCS 2025 can tune in through various streaming platforms, including an in-game broadcast within Fortnite itself. Several official English-language channels will provide comprehensive coverage of the event, allowing viewers worldwide to follow the action and witness the crowning of the new FNCS champions. This multi-platform broadcasting strategy ensures accessibility for a global audience, allowing fans to experience the thrill of competitive Fortnite and witness the rise of new champions.
