Yes. Epic Games confirmed that V-Bucks prices increased on March 18, 2026, the final day of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1. Chapter 7 Season 2 (Fortnite Showdown) launched the following day on March 19. The change means players now receive fewer V-Bucks per dollar across every purchase tier, and the Battle Pass and Fortnite Crew subscription rewards have also been adjusted.
Epic's stated reason was direct: "The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot, and we're raising prices to help pay the bills." That quote appeared in the official blog post and was reported identically by BBC News, VICE, Polygon, and Turtle Beach.
New V-Bucks Pack Prices
The dollar amounts you pay have not changed. What changed is how many V-Bucks you receive for each tier. Here are the new values, confirmed across all four sources:
$8.99 Pack: 800 V-Bucks (was 1,000). Epic Rewards: +$1.79 back.
$22.99 Pack: 2,400 V-Bucks (was 2,800). Epic Rewards: +$4.59 back.
$36.99 Pack: 4,500 V-Bucks (was 5,000). Epic Rewards: +$7.39 back.
$89.99 Pack: 12,500 V-Bucks (was 13,500). Epic Rewards: +$17.99 back.
Exact Amount Pack: $0.99 for 50 V-Bucks (was approximately $0.50 for 50 V-Bucks).
Polygon notes that purchases made through the Epic Games Store or Epic's payment system on Android, PC, iOS, and web return 20% in Epic Rewards. That credit can be used in Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and other Epic titles.
Battle Pass Changes
The Battle Pass cost dropped from 1,000 V-Bucks to 800 V-Bucks. You can still earn back enough to buy the next Battle Pass by completing it (800 V-Bucks earned). However, the 500 bonus V-Bucks that were previously available in the Bonus Rewards section have been removed.
VICE broke this down clearly: the old Battle Pass cost 1,000 V-Bucks and rewarded up to 1,500 total. The new Battle Pass costs 800 and rewards 800. That is a net loss of 500 V-Bucks per season for players who previously completed the full pass, including bonus rewards.
For players who never reached the bonus tier, the lower entry cost may actually be a better deal.
OG, Music, and LEGO Pass Changes
Turtle Beach reported that the other three passes are also dropping by 200 V-Bucks each, starting with their next cycle:
OG Pass: 800 V-Bucks (was 1,000). Music Pass: 1,200 V-Bucks (was 1,400). LEGO Pass: 1,200 V-Bucks (was 1,400).
BBC confirmed the direction of these changes, noting all three passes received 200 V-Buck price reductions.
Fortnite Crew Changes
The monthly Fortnite Crew subscription now grants 800 V-Bucks instead of 1,000. The subscription price itself remains unchanged. Turtle Beach, BBC, and VICE all confirmed this reduction. Epic stated that Crew subscribers would receive an email with timing and details specific to their region.
Why Is Epic Raising Prices?
Epic's blog post cited rising operational costs. The BBC reported that the developer described the increases as needed "to help pay the bills" because running costs had "gone up a lot."
The reaction from the community was largely negative. BBC quoted players questioning the justification, particularly given Epic's financial position. VICE reported that Epic's Senior Director of Ecosystem Growth, Andre Balta, responded on X, pushing back on characterizations that the Item Shop was Epic's main focus, stating that "paying the bills frees up our teams to continue driving stories and building stuff you love."
BBC also cited freelance games journalist Vic Hood, who noted that while the increase was surprising given Epic's reported revenue, it was "preferable to something more extreme like making it a paid-for, rather than free-to-play game."
How to Maximize Value Going Forward
Polygon noted that existing V-Buck gift cards can still be redeemed at their printed value, so purchasing gift cards before the change took effect was one way to lock in the old rates. Going forward, the 20% Epic Rewards return on purchases through the Epic Games Store or Epic's direct payment system partially offsets the reduction for players who spend across multiple Epic titles.
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FAQs
1. Are V-Bucks prices going up?
Yes. As of March 18, 2026, V-Bucks packs now give fewer V-Bucks for the same dollar amount. For example, the $8.99 pack now gives 800 V-Bucks instead of 1,000. The dollar prices themselves have not changed.
2. How much do 13,500 V-Bucks cost now?
The $89.99 pack previously gave 13,500 V-Bucks. It now gives 12,500 V-Bucks for the same $89.99. With Epic Rewards, you also receive $17.99 back in credit usable across Epic titles.
3. Why is Fortnite raising prices?
Epic Games stated: "The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot, and we're raising prices to help pay the bills." The BBC, VICE, and Polygon all reported this as Epic's official justification.
4. Did the Battle Pass price change?
Yes. The Battle Pass now costs 800 V-Bucks (down from 1,000) and rewards 800 V-Bucks upon completion. However, the 500 bonus V-Bucks from the Bonus Rewards tier have been removed, resulting in a net loss for players who previously completed the full pass.
5. Did Fortnite Crew rewards change?
Yes. The monthly V-Bucks grant dropped from 1,000 to 800. The subscription price itself remains the same.