Want to know how to get the Empress Sidekick for free in Fortnite? Epic Games is releasing this adorable pet companion on March 21, 2026, and some players will receive it automatically without spending a single V-Buck.
I have been tracking Fortnite’s sidekick releases since Chapter 7 began, and the pattern is clear. Epic rewards loyal players who own the original pet back blings from Chapter 1. If you have the Empress pet Back Bling from Chapter 1 Season 8, you are getting this new sidekick completely free.
In this guide, I will walk you through exactly who qualifies, how to check your eligibility, and what to do if you do not own the original back bling.
How to Get Empress Sidekick for Free in Fortnite
The Empress Sidekick will be available starting March 21, 2026, following the daily Item Shop reset. If you qualify, you do not need to do anything special. The sidekick will appear automatically in your account.
Here is the simple process:
Step 1: Verify you own the original Empress pet Back Bling from Chapter 1 Season 8. Open your Fortnite locker, navigate to Back Blings, and search for “Empress.” If you see it, you are eligible.
Step 2: Log into Fortnite anytime after the March 21, 2026 Item Shop update. Epic typically resets the shop at 8 PM ET daily.
Step 3: Check your Sidekick locker. The Empress Sidekick should appear automatically without any notification or quest completion required.
Step 4: Equip your new sidekick and enjoy having this royal companion follow you into battle.
That is it. No quests to complete. No challenges to grind. No V-Bucks to spend. Epic Games automatically grants free sidekicks to accounts that own the original back bling.
Who Qualifies for the Free Empress Sidekick
Only players who own the original Empress pet Back Bling from Chapter 1 Season 8 qualify for the free sidekick. Epic calls these players “OG owners” and has been rewarding them with free sidekick conversions throughout Chapter 7.
The Empress Back Bling first appeared in the Item Shop during Chapter 1 Season 8 and has only returned 8 times since then. This makes it one of the rarest cosmetics in Fortnite history. If you bought it back then or during one of those limited returns, you are in the exclusive group getting this sidekick for free.
Not sure if you own it? Here is how to check:
1. Launch Fortnite and go to your Locker
2. Select the Back Bling category
3. Use the search function and type “Empress”
4. If the Empress pet Back Bling appears, you own it
Alternatively, you can check your purchase history through Epic Games account settings if you remember when you might have bought it.
What If You Don’t Own the Original Empress Back Bling
If you do not own the original Empress Back Bling, you will need to purchase the Empress Sidekick from the Item Shop. Based on previous sidekick releases, expect to pay between 1,200 and 1,500 V-Bucks.
The Empress Sidekick will be available in the Item Shop starting March 21, 2026. Epic typically releases new sidekicks at the daily Item Shop reset, which happens at 8 PM ET. Keep an eye on the shop rotation if you are looking to buy it.
The original Empress Back Bling cost 1,000 V-Bucks when it was available, so the sidekick version may be priced similarly or slightly higher. Sidekicks are premium cosmetics that follow your character throughout matches, so they often command a higher price than back blings.
How Fortnite Free Sidekicks Work
Epic Games established a clear pattern with sidekick releases in Chapter 7. When they convert an old pet back bling into a sidekick, original owners get the new version free.
This has happened with several cosmetics already:
Remus Sidekick: Players who owned the Remus Back Bling from Chapter 1 received the sidekick version free when it released.
Bonesy Sidekick: OG owners of the Bonesy pet from the Chapter 1 Season 6 Battle Pass got the sidekick conversion free.
Kitsune Sidekick: Players who owned the original Kitsune pet Back Bling received the sidekick version at no cost.
In each case, the free sidekick was automatically granted to qualifying accounts without requiring quests or challenges. Some players even reported receiving duplicate free sidekicks if they had already purchased the Item Shop version before Epic realized they were OG owners.
The Empress Sidekick follows this same pattern. If you are an OG owner, the sidekick will simply appear in your locker after the March 21 release.
When Will the Free Empress Sidekick Appear
Mark your calendar for March 21, 2026. This is when Epic will release the Empress Sidekick following the daily Item Shop update.
If you qualify for the free version, it should appear in your account shortly after the update goes live. Based on previous releases, the automatic grants usually happen within a few hours of the Item Shop reset.
Sometimes there are delays. If you own the original Empress Back Bling but do not see your free sidekick immediately, do not panic. Epic’s system can take up to 24 hours to process all the automatic grants. Check back the next day if it does not appear right away.
If you still do not have it after 24 hours and you are certain you own the original back bling, contact Epic Games Support. They can verify your ownership and manually grant the sidekick to your account.
Is the Empress Sidekick free for all Fortnite players?
No, the Empress Sidekick is only free for players who own the original Empress pet Back Bling from Chapter 1 Season 8. If you do not own the original back bling, you will need to purchase the sidekick from the Item Shop for approximately 1,200 to 1,500 V-Bucks.
Do I have to complete any quests to get the Empress Sidekick in Fortnite for free?
No quests are required. Epic Games automatically grants the free Empress Sidekick to qualifying accounts. Simply log into Fortnite after the March 21, 2026 release and check your Sidekick locker. The sidekick will appear automatically if you own the original Empress Back Bling.
Will the Empress Sidekick be in the Fortnite Item Shop?
Yes, players who do not own the original Empress Back Bling can purchase the Empress Sidekick from the Item Shop starting March 21, 2026. The expected price is between 1,200 and 1,500 V-Bucks based on previous sidekick releases.
How do I check if I own the original Empress Back Bling?
Open your Fortnite locker, navigate to the Back Bling category, and search for Empress. If the pet Back Bling appears in your collection, you own it and qualify for the free sidekick. You can also check your Epic Games account purchase history.
What should I do if I haven’t received my free Empress Sidekick?
Wait up to 24 hours after the March 21 release as Epic’s automatic grant system can take time to process all qualifying accounts. If you still do not have it after 24 hours and own the original back bling, contact Epic Games Support for assistance.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to get the Empress Sidekick for free in Fortnite is straightforward. If you are an OG owner of the Chapter 1 Season 8 Empress Back Bling, the sidekick will appear in your account automatically on March 21, 2026. No quests, no V-Bucks, no hassle.
For everyone else, the Item Shop option will be available the same day. Whether you get it free or purchase it, the Empress Sidekick is a great addition to your collection and follows the trend of Epic rewarding loyal players from Chapter 1.
Check your locker now to see if you qualify, and mark March 21 on your calendar. Good luck, and enjoy your new royal companion.