To make a custom game in Fortnite, your Epic account has to be active in one of Epic’s creator programs, either Support-A-Creator or the Fortnite Developer Program. Members set a Custom Matchmaking Key from the Battle Royale mode screen and share it, while every other player can still join with that key or play privately through Creative.
Below we cover who qualifies, the exact steps to host and join a custom match, the Admin Panel tools hosts get, and the free ways to play privately with friends if you are not in a program.
Which Version This Covers
This guide is current for Chapter 7 Season 4, Fortnite Override, on the v42.20 update, as of September 28, 2026. Custom matches are not seasonal, but Epic moves menus between updates, so the button names below come from Epic’s own help center. The steps are the same on every platform.
One thing to clear up first: Override added an “Admin Panel” to the Battle Royale lobby for Lobby Hack codes, which grant XP and Sprite Dust (see our guide to leveling up fast). That panel does not create a private match. The custom match Admin Panel is a separate host tool, covered below.
Who Can Create a Custom Match
Epic’s help center is blunt: creating custom matches is only available to members of its creator and developer programs, not to all players. Even members must finish the account creator setup process before the option works.
There are two ways in:
- Support-A-Creator. Epic describes this as an affiliate program for streamers and social media content creators. It gives you a Creator Code that supporters can use in the Item Shop, plus the ability to host custom matches. Epic’s eligibility page lists at least 1,000 followers on an eligible social platform and two-factor authentication on your Epic account.
- Fortnite Developer Program. This one is for people who build islands. It lets you publish islands, earn engagement payouts, and host custom matches. Epic’s developer documentation says you must be at least 18 and meet one of two purchase requirements: a purchase through Epic Payments in the last 365 days, or at least $20 spent and redeemed in Fortnite in the last 365 days on any platform. Gift card and Epic Account balance purchases do not count. You enroll through the Creator Portal.
Both programs require you to be a legal adult where you live. Epic states that minors cannot enroll, even with a parent or guardian’s permission.
How to Host a Custom Match
Once your program membership and creator setup are complete, Epic’s private match instructions work like this:
- Pick Battle Royale in the lobby. Epic says you cannot create custom matches in other game modes. Its Admin Panel article confirms Zero Build counts.
- Match your region. Everyone must be on the same server region, or the game throws an error and the match will not start. The setting lives under Settings, Game, Language and Region.
- Find the Custom Key button. Scroll down in the game mode selection screen until Custom Key appears in the bottom right, then select it.
- Create your key. It must be 4 to 16 characters, with no special characters. If you are streaming, hide it so strangers cannot join.
- Accept, then Play. Wait in queue while players enter your key.
- Start the match. Select Start Match to launch it manually whenever you are ready.
A custom match holds 100 players. If more enter the key at once, Epic says the game picks 100 at random, not in joining order. Late joiners get an error, so share the key only when everyone is ready.
How to Join a Custom Match With a Key
Joining does not need a program membership. Epic restricts creating custom matches, not entering them. To join:
- Set the same server region as the host.
- Select Change to bring up the mode menu, then pick the game mode.
- Select Custom Matchmaking Key and type the key exactly. Epic notes that keys are case sensitive.
- Select Accept, then Play, and wait for the host to start.
If you get kicked the moment you join, the match has probably already hit its 100-player cap.
The Admin Panel Tools for Hosts
Since the v40.30 update, hosts in Epic’s creator programs get an Admin Panel inside their custom lobbies. Per Epic’s help center, it works in non-competitive Battle Royale modes, including Zero Build, and only the player who started the match can open it, from the Sidebar, then Menu, then Admin Panel. From there the host can:
- Turn on God Mode.
- Set the Health and Shield values for everyone.
- Change the time of day and how fast it moves, including stopping it.
- Pause and unpause the Storm.
- Change the Storm radius and how long the first circle takes to close.
- Send troublemakers back to the lobby.
Free Ways to Play Privately Without a Key
If you just want a game with friends and no strangers, Creative covers most of it:
- Your own island. Epic’s Creative documentation says to scroll to the Discover list and pick Create, then use your console to start building. Islands are Private by default, meaning only you can edit; switch the permission to Public so invited friends can join and help. Invite friends to your party from the lobby first.
- Private Game on Creative islands. Epic’s documentation says that if you do not want to play a Creative game with random people, you can select the Private Game option above the Play button.
- Community-made modes. Search Discover by island code or name to load creator-built Battle Royale remakes. Our guide to bot lobbies explains how to load islands by code.
- Couch play. For two players on one console, see how split screen works.
Publishing an island still requires the Developer Program, and Epic says every published island runs on its own servers, never a private one. If XP matters, check whether Creative maps grant XP before you plan a long private session. For everything else, browse every Fortnite guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone make a custom game in Fortnite? No. Creating a custom match requires membership in Support-A-Creator or the Fortnite Developer Program, but anyone can join a custom match with the host’s key.
How many players can join a Fortnite custom match? Up to 100. If more people enter the key at once, the game randomly selects 100 of them.
Why can’t I see the Custom Key button? You are not in a creator program, have not finished the creator setup, or are not in a Battle Royale mode. Scroll down the mode selection screen and check the bottom right.
Can under-18 players host custom matches? No. Epic requires a legal adult for both programs, and a parent’s permission does not replace that.
How do I play Fortnite privately with only my friends? Load a Creative island and pick the Private Game option above the Play button, or build on your own Creative island with your party.