What are Fortnite scrims?

Fortnite scrims are private practice lobbies for competitive players. How they work, why they help, and how to start playing EU scrims.

A scrim, short for scrimmage, is a practice match against other competitive players. In Fortnite, scrims are played in private custom lobbies: everyone in the scrim enters the same matchmaking key and queues at the same time, so the lobby fills with players who are there to practise seriously instead of random public matchmaking.

Why players practise in scrims

• Tournament-like lobbies. Everyone plays to win, so endgames look like the ones you meet in competitive play.
• More endgame reps. Full lobbies of active players mean more late-game fights per hour than public matches.
• Practice your drop and rotations. With reserved dropspots you can work on the same landing spot and route every game.
• Rules that are enforced. Teaming, griefing and leaving early are punished, so games are played out properly.

How a scrim works

1. The scrim is announced in a Discord server.
2. A matchmaking key is posted for the players who can join.
3. Everyone enters the key in Fortnite's custom matchmaking setting and queues at the same time.
4. The game is played out under the server's rules.

Open scrims and set scrims

Polar Scrims runs two kinds of scrims for EU players:

• Open scrims are drop-in lobbies throughout the day. No sign-up, just verify your account and queue up.
• Set scrims are scheduled sessions of three games, run as Yunite tournaments per division, with a dropspot claimed for every team before the start.

How to start

Join the Polar Scrims Discord, verify your Epic account and turn on pings for the modes you play. Your Discord account must be at least 30 days old.

More guides

• What are Fortnite scrims?What a scrim is, how a scrim lobby works and why competitive players practise in them.
• Open scrimsDrop-in lobbies throughout the day. How to get access and join your first game.
• Set scrims and divisionsScheduled sessions of three games per division, from announcement to the last game.
• How dropspot claims workReserved landing spots for set scrims: who claims, the limits and when claims close.
• How to verify your Epic accountLink your Epic account with Yunite to unlock scrims. Requirements and common problems.
• Rules, strikes and appealsThe strike table, how long strikes last and how to appeal a scrim ban.
• FAQShort answers to the questions players ask most.