It’s been more than five years since Oceania last saw an official Fortnite LAN. The Australian Open Summer Smash in 2019 and 2020 brought together international stars, and thousands of fans, setting the standard for what OCE Fortnite could be. Since then, the stage lights have gone dark.
The AO Summer Smash felt like a turning point for OCE. The event combined huge crowds, international talent, and unforgettable performances from players such as Jynx, Kquid, and Parpy. It was the first time many believed the region had finally claimed its place on the global stage.
But after 2020, everything changed. The COVID pandemic shut down live events worldwide, and while NA and EU slowly returned, OCE never got another chance.
Several factors make OCE a tough sell for Epic Games:
The result? OCE LANs became the first to go, and so far, they haven’t come back.
Despite the challenges, there are reasons to stay hopeful:
Still, the financial reality is hard to ignore. Without heavy backing from Epic or a major sponsor, another OCE Fortnite LAN remains unlikely.
Top players and fans have never stopped calling for a return. Petitions for FNCS Globals to come to Sydney gained traction this year, and countless pros have voiced their frustration at OCE’s absence on the world stage.
It’s unclear if Epic will ever bring LANs back to the region, but the hope of one day seeing it return still lingers in the community.
