Fortnite Global Championship 2026 has welcomed aboard Hot Toys as an official sponsor, with the company bringing its colourful line of high-quality collectible figures into the competitive Fortnite space for the first time. The two-day tournament, organized by BLAST, is scheduled for September 26-27 at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium, with a $2 million prize pool on the line. This is the first time the Fortnite Global Championship has been held in the trendy Belgian city.
BLAST confirmed the partnership earlier today, saying it will cover both the live event and the global broadcast. Hot Toys will operate a branded stand inside the arena where attendees can view collectibles in person. The brand will also feature in regular broadcast segments throughout the two-day competition.
What the deal means for fans at home and the venue
The partnership's centerpiece for viewers at home is a social media series called "Legendary Drop," spotlighting Hot Toys products tied to Fortnite characters ahead of and during the event. Each broadcast day will also include a dedicated segment pairing a standout play from the competition with a related collectible item.
Hot Toys branding will also appear across Fortnite Competitive's official digital channels and its Twitch stream. James Brown, Commercial Director at BLAST, said, "We're excited to welcome Hot Toys as an Official Sponsor of the Fortnite Global Championship and give fans new ways to engage with the partnership, both in Antwerp and through the global broadcast. From the Legendary Drop content series to the dedicated arena stand, Hot Toys will be a brilliant addition to the fan experience this September."
Franck Dubois, CEO of Hot Toys Japan, brought a personal angle to the announcement. "I actually play Fortnite daily for real; and even attended the FNCS Lyon Finals last year," he said. "The community was craving higher-end merchandise, and Hot Toys is here to deliver. I hope that fans worldwide will recognize the love we put into these items. With their support, these will be the first of many Hot Toys Fortnite products for years to come."
The collectibles already generating buzz
Ahead of any official product reveal, Fortnite collectibles accounts on X have been sharing images of what Hot Toys appears to have in development. @preterniadotcom shared visuals of a 1/6-scale Jonesy the First figure as well as a Hot Toys Fortnite Cosbi Collection:
Hot Toys Fortnite 1/6 Scale Jonesy the First. pic.twitter.com/j5CmHuo4CR
— preternia (@preterniadotcom) August 13, 2026
Spanish-language Fortnite leaker @codepcpy, meanwhile, posted what appears to be a roster of upcoming figures. The list includes Cuddle Team Leader, Jonesy, Midas, Fishstick, and Peely — characters expected to be announced "very soon,” although none of these have been officially confirmed by BLAST or Hot Toys.
The product range lines up with Hot Toys' established reputation in the collectibles space. The company has previously brought figures from major entertainment franchises to market at premium price points. A move into gaming-native IP like Fortnite reflects a growing appetite among esports fans for physical merchandise is no longer limited to jerseys and lanyards.
A broader shift toward physical collectibles in esports
Hot Toys isn't the only brand betting on this. The Esports World Cup partnered with Kolex to launch trading cards this year and also auctioned an exclusive chess board featuring pro players Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok and Jeong 'Chovy' Ji-hoon. French esports organization Gentle Mates launched its own trading card line in July 2026.
Physical goods are becoming a real revenue stream. Organizers and brands are treating them as a genuine business alongside tickets and traditional sponsorships, not an afterthought. For BLAST, landing a collectibles partner of Hot Toys' caliber ahead of its biggest Fortnite event of the year is a meaningful addition to the fan experience package.
The Fortnite Global Championship 2026 kicks off at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp on September 26, with the two-day event concluding on September 27.
