Ahead of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Fortnite has partnered with the NBA to bring all 30 team uniforms, NBA Player Locker Bundles, Fortnite x NBA Team Battles, and an NBA Creative Hub in-game. Fortnite x NBA: The Crossover is the first time the NBA has joined Fortnite, and the second time that Fortnite has partnered with a US league.
NBA Outfits
From 22 May 10am AEST, players can suit up and rep any of the league’s 30 teams. The In The Paint Set includes 31 uniforms, including all 30 NBA teams that players’ avatars can wear in Fortnite. Players can also grab the Shoot & Score Pack to get the Hookshot Emote and Mini Hoop Back Bling, which can feature logos from any of the 30 NBA teams. When other players have the Mini Hoop Back Bling equipped, other players will be able to take a shot! If you’re more of a point guard, show off your handles with the Dribblin’ traversal Emote.
Player Lockers
NBA All Star guards Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young have personally selected the items that they wear in Fortnite, which will be available for players to purchase in the Item Shop starting from next week.
Fortnite x NBA Team Battles
As the NBA Playoffs tip off this week following the State Farm Play-In Tournament, Fortnite x NBA: The Crossover heats up with a five-day competition featuring all 30 NBA teams. The Fortnite x NBA Team Battles will run from 20 to 24 May.
Players will need to visit the Fortnite x NBA Team Battles official page to sign up to support their favourite NBA team and have a shot at earning in-game rewards, V-Bucks and the Fortnite “NBA Championship Trophy” in-game cosmetic Back Bling by completing challenges in Fortnite. 15,000 spots are available per team, and there are additional bench spots for players to sign up as a “Fan” to support their favourite team and still have a chance to earn in-game rewards. Please read the official Fortnite x NBA Team Battles blog post for more information.
Coming soon: Fortnite Creative
Starting from 26 May, there will be a NBA Welcome Hub in Fortnite Creative. Stay tuned for more info!
This partnership is part of Epic’s continued investment in global sports content in-game, including:
- Partnership with the NFL in 2018, bringing players NFL Outfits from all 32 teams. Outfits were available again for players during both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Verizon also built a Super Bowl Stadium in Fortnite Creative in 2020.
- Fortnite added the ‘Raise the Cup’ Emote inspired by Liverpool FC captain Jordan Henderson’s ‘Henderson Shuffle’.
- January 2021: Fortnite brought 23 global football/soccer teams across five continents in-game, including A-League clubs Sydney FC, the Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Melbourne City FC, an Australian-first. The local clubs also hosted a local tournament with fans.
- Second partnership with the NFL in February 2021 to bring more player Outfits and a stadium-sized hub in Fortnite Creative mode.
- Global football superstar Neymar was brought into the game in April 2021.