Fortnite Is Giving Away the Kitsune Sidekick for Free; Here’s How to Claim It

Epic Games is giving away a new free cosmetic to the most dedicated Fortnite players. Since early January 2026, the Kitsune Sidekick has been granted automatically to anyone who owns a specific, older in-game accessory. The move is a direct response to community requests, as players complained about the lack of Sidekicks in the Chapter 7 Season 1 Battle Pass. With this, the company rewards longtime fans and keeps engagement high in the Battle Royale.

To receive the Kitsune companion, however, you need a rare item in your collection. Redemption is automatic and free for anyone who already owns the original Kitsune back bling. That item was earned at tier 28 of the Chapter 1 Season X Battle Pass, released several seasons ago. The offer therefore celebrates veteran players who have followed the title for years. If you meet this criterion, the new Sidekick should already be in your locker, ready to equip in Battle Royale or LEGO Fortnite modes.

What if I don’t have the required accessory?

If you didn’t own the original Kitsune accessory, unfortunately you won’t be able to get the Sidekick for free. There are no alternative codes or quests to unlock it. Still, Epic Games offers other options in the game’s Item Shop. Meanwhile, if you suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out), you can spend your V-Bucks on another available Sidekick. The shop update brought Kit, a robotic cat known since Chapter 2 Season 3. To buy it, you need 1,200 V-Bucks, the game’s virtual currency.

This strategy of rewarding longtime players is nothing new. Epic recently did something similar with the Bonesy Sidekick, given to anyone who already owned the matching back bling. So this looks like a trend aimed at giving value to old items and keeping the fan base loyal. Keep an eye on future updates, as more offers like this may appear throughout 2026, especially after the Winterfest event ends.