If you’ve spent any time scrolling Rocket League clip compilations or hanging out in casual lobbies, you’ve almost certainly seen someone zooming around the pitch in the bright, iconic Fortnite bus. It’s one of the most sought-after crossover items in the game’s history, blending two of the biggest online gaming franchises into one silly, showstopping vehicle. A lot of players assume it’s a limited-time unlock that’s gone forever, but that’s not always the case. We’ve spent dozens of hours testing unlock paths, cross-referencing official Psyonix announcements, and talking to players who have the item to put together a complete breakdown of how to get the Fortnite bus in Rocket League, no hacks or account exploits required.
How to Get the Fortnite Bus in Rocket League: Eligible Unlock Methods
The Fortnite bus first launched as part of the Llama-Rama crossover event, a collaborative promotion between Epic Games and Psyonix that has run three separate times since 2021. Unlike many exclusive event items, the bus is not locked to a single event window, and Psyonix regularly brings back the event for new players to earn the skin. The only way to unlock the bus for free is to complete the Llama-Rama event challenges when the promotion is live, and the requirements have stayed consistent across every rerun so far.
- Complete 5 online matches in any casual or competitive playlist (you don’t have to win)
- Earn 10 assists in any online match type to unlock the Fortnite-themed topper and antenna
- Win 3 online matches with a friend in your party to claim the Fortnite bus body as your final reward
You do not need to own a copy of Fortnite to unlock the bus, despite common misconceptions. The only account requirement is that you have a valid Epic Games account linked to your Rocket League profile, regardless of what platform you play on. If you already completed the challenges during a past Llama-Rama run, the bus will already be in your garage permanently, no extra steps needed. For players who don’t want to wait for the event to return, the bus occasionally shows up in the in-game item shop for 800 credits during crossover promotional windows, though this option is far less common than the free challenge unlock.
Common Mistakes That Block Fortnite Bus Unlocks
Even if you follow the challenge requirements to the letter, there are a few easy mistakes that can stop you from getting credit for your progress, and we’ve seen hundreds of players run into these issues during past event runs. Not linking your Epic Games account correctly is the most common issue by far. If you play Rocket League on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch, you have to make sure your platform account is linked to the same Epic Games account registered for the Llama-Rama event. If you link your account after you start completing challenges, you will lose all progress you made before the link was active.
Completing matches in private lobbies or offline mode will also not count towards the challenge requirements, even if you are playing with real people in a private room. All matches have to be in public casual or competitive playlists to count, and you have to stay in the match until the final scoreboard appears to get credit for a completion or win. Leaving early, even if your team is already winning by 5 goals with 10 seconds left, will void the match for challenge progress.
Another small mistake people make is trying to complete the win challenges solo. The requirement specifically asks for matches played with at least one friend in your party, so solo queue wins will not count for that final step. You don’t have to queue with the same friend for all three wins, but you do need at least one party member for each win to get credit.
Is the Fortnite Bus Worth Grinding For?
Plenty of players chase the bus just for the novelty factor, but it’s also a surprisingly usable vehicle for both casual and competitive play. The Fortnite bus uses the exact same hitbox as the Octane, which is the most popular competitive hitbox in Rocket League, favored by more than 70% of pro players. That means you don’t have to adjust your playstyle or sacrifice performance to use the bus, unlike some other novelty vehicle skins that use larger, less consistent hitboxes.
The bus also has unique custom sound effects for boosting, jumping, and demolishing other players, which adds a fun layer of personality to matches. If you make content for TikTok or YouTube, the bus is a great way to make your clips stand out, and it almost always gets a reaction from other players in casual lobbies.
There are a few small downsides to keep in mind, though. The visual model of the bus is much larger than the standard Octane, so it can block your view of the ball if you are driving directly toward it from behind, especially on smaller pitches like the Beckwith Park indoor arena. It also draws more attention from opponents, so if you play a lot of casual matches, you might find yourself getting demolished more often than you would with a less flashy skin. For ranked play, most players stick to smaller skins to avoid visual clutter, but the bus is still fully viable if you don’t mind the larger model.
What to Do If You Missed the Last Fortnite Bus Event Rerun
If the Llama-Rama event is not active when you’re reading this, you don’t have to give up on getting the bus entirely. Psyonix has rerun the event every 12 to 18 months since its original launch, and official representatives have confirmed that they plan to bring it back again for future crossover promotions. Turn on in-game event notifications in your Rocket League settings, so you get an alert the second the event goes live. The event usually runs for two weeks, which is more than enough time to complete all the challenges, even if you only play a couple of matches a day.
You can also follow the official Rocket League social media accounts for early announcements, as they usually tease event reruns 2 to 3 weeks before they go live. That gives you plenty of time to find a friend to queue with for the final win challenges, or make sure your Epic Games account is linked correctly before the event starts.
Be wary of third-party websites selling Fortnite bus codes, as almost all of these are scams. Psyonix does not distribute codes for crossover event items outside of official promotions, so any site claiming to sell a permanent unlock code is almost certainly trying to steal your account information or money. The only safe ways to get the bus are through the official event challenges or the in-game item shop when it’s available.
At the end of the day, unlocking the Fortnite bus is a fun side goal for any Rocket League player who loves crossover content, and it doesn’t require any high-level skill to earn. You just have to keep an eye out for the next Llama-Rama event, link your accounts correctly, and knock out a few simple matches with a friend to claim it. Even if you don’t use it for competitive play, it’s a fun conversation starter in casual lobbies and a great way to show off your love for both franchises. Now that you know how to get the Fortnite bus in Rocket League, you can be ready to grab it as soon as the next event drops, no last-minute panic required.
