Fortnite has given players a pretty tempting reason to keep opening chests. Its new Treasure Hunters event introduces a rare reward called Pirate Shop Access, which lets lucky players claim eligible Item Shop cosmetics for free for 14 days.
And there is more to it than a single free skin. Finding the reward gives you two separate activations: one for 2026 and another for 2027. That means you could get up to 28 days of free access to eligible Fortnite Item Shop items without spending your V-Bucks.
The catch is that Pirate Shop Access is a random drop. You cannot buy the token, select it from a menu, or guarantee that it will appear after opening a certain number of chests. You have to find it while playing.
Here’s how to get the Fortnite Treasure Chest prize for free and what to do once you have it.

How to get the Fortnite Pirate Shop Access token
The Pirate Shop Access token is part of the Treasure Hunt reward pool in Fortnite's Treasure Hunters event. You can find it by opening chests across the Battle Royale island.
According to Fortnite Tracker, the reward can appear in Treasure Chests, Buried Chests, Sprite Chests, and Rare Chests. These chests do not have confirmed fixed locations for the token, and its exact drop rate remains unknown.
Here is what to do:
- Launch Fortnite and enter Battle Royale. Play during the Treasure Hunters event while Pirate Shop Access is available in the reward pool.
- Search for chests around the island. Check Treasure Chests, Buried Chests, Sprite Chests, and Rare Chests as you explore. Do not limit your search to one named location.
- Open as many chests as you can. Pirate Shop Access is a rare random reward, so you may need several matches before finding it. There is no confirmed chest-opening target that guarantees a drop.
- Play with friends if you can. The reward is shared with your party. If one player finds Pirate Shop Access, the other members of the squad can receive it too.
- Check your reward when you return to the lobby. If you get lucky, you will receive access to the Pirate Shop and its two activation periods.
Chests can also provide other Treasure Hunt rewards, so do not expect every opening to produce the token. The important thing is to keep searching while the event is active.
How to activate the Fortnite Pirate Shop and get free skins
Finding Pirate Shop Access is only the first part. You still need to activate it before you can start claiming free cosmetics.
Once the reward is in your account, return to the lobby and follow these steps:
- Open the Item Shop.
- Select Plunder the Item Shop.
- Choose the Pirate Shop Access activation you want to use.
- Select Activate Now to start your free shopping period.
- Browse the available items and claim the cosmetics you want.
As VICE's guide to the Pirate Shop explains, the 14-day countdown begins when you activate the token, not when you find it.
That distinction matters. You do not have to start using your free access immediately. You can save it until the Item Shop features skins, emotes, or collaborations you actually want.
Also, remember that Fortnite's Item Shop rotates. You need to claim an item while it is available during your 14-day window; the token does not automatically add every cosmetic that might appear throughout the year to your Locker.
What can you get for free with Fortnite Pirate Shop Access?
The reward gives you access to eligible Item Shop cosmetics that normally require V-Bucks. This can include outfits, emotes, pickaxes, back blings, and other cosmetic items.
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