Epic Games Free Games Schedule
Your complete guide to the Epic Games Store free games program. Weekly giveaway schedule, how to claim, what to expect during holiday events, and tips to build a massive game library for free.
What This Guide Covers
1.Weekly Free Games Schedule
Epic Games Store follows a strict weekly schedule for free game giveaways. Unlike other platforms that release freebies on an irregular basis, Epic is predictable and consistent:
The schedule has been consistent since the program launched in December 2018. Epic occasionally reveals the next week's game on the store page, so you can sometimes see what is coming before the current giveaway ends. Check the Epic tracker on TroveGG for real-time updates.
Time zone reference: 11 AM ET = 8 AM PT = 4 PM GMT = 5 PM CET. The switch happens right at this time — the old game expires and the new game becomes available simultaneously.
2.Free on Epic Right Now
Breathedge
Survive in outer space! Together with your immortal chicken, discover the truth behind your sudden spaceship crash. Craft tools, pilot vehicles, and even control space stations to survive and explore the wreckage.
Rival Stars Horse Racing : Desktop Edition
With stunning, realistic horses, an in-depth breeding system, and a range of exciting game modes, Rival Stars Horse Racing offers horse fans the ultimate racing and riding experience. Take the reins and become an equestrian legend!
Claim before Thursday at 11 AM ET when these expire. Visit the Epic tracker for exact expiration times and claim links.
3.How to Claim Epic Free Games
Create an Epic Account
Go to store.epicgames.com and create a free account. You can sign up with an email address or link your Google, Apple, Facebook, Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo account. No payment information required.
Find the Free Game
The free game is prominently featured on the Epic Games Store homepage every Thursday. You can also browse to store.epicgames.com/free-games or check the TroveGG Epic page for direct links.
Click "Get"
Click the "Get" button on the game's store page. You will go through a checkout process, but the price is $0.00. No credit card needed. After "purchasing" for free, the game is added to your library.
Play Whenever
The game now lives in your Epic library permanently. Download and install it through the Epic Games Launcher whenever you want. There is no rush to download — only the claim must happen during the giveaway window.
Mobile claiming: You can claim Epic free games from your phone using the Epic Games Store mobile app (iOS/Android) or the mobile website. This is useful when you are away from your PC and do not want to miss a giveaway before it expires.
4.History of the Free Games Program
Epic Games launched its free games program on December 6, 2018, alongside the opening of the Epic Games Store. The program was designed to compete with Steam by giving users a compelling reason to install the Epic launcher and create an account.
Initially, Epic committed to giving away one free game every two weeks. By 2019, they increased the cadence to weekly giveaways. The quality of games has ranged from small indie titles to massive AAA releases, with standout giveaways including GTA V (which famously crashed the store in May 2020), Civilization VI, Control, and Borderlands 3.
As of 2026, Epic has given away well over 300 games with a combined retail value exceeding $10,000. The program shows no signs of slowing down. Epic has stated that it considers free game giveaways a core part of the store's strategy for attracting and retaining users.
5.Holiday Free Games Event
Every December, Epic runs a special holiday event that is the highlight of the free games program. Instead of one game per week, Epic gives away a new game every day for 15 to 16 consecutive days, typically starting in mid-December and running into early January.
The holiday event games tend to be higher quality than the regular weekly giveaways. Past holiday events have featured titles that individually retail for $30 to $60. Each daily game is available for only 24 hours, making it crucial to check every day during the event.
Epic does not announce the full holiday schedule in advance. Each day's game is a surprise, revealed at 11 AM ET when it becomes available. This creates daily anticipation throughout the holiday season.
Do not miss the holiday event. Set a daily reminder from mid-December through early January. Each game is free for only 24 hours, and missing a single day means losing that title permanently. Bookmark TroveGG's Epic page to check quickly each morning.
6.Tips to Never Miss a Free Game
Claim Every Week, Even If You Will Not Play
There is zero downside to claiming a free game you are not interested in right now. It costs nothing, takes 30 seconds, and the game sits in your library permanently. Many players discover months later that they actually want to play a game they almost skipped. Claim everything.
Set a Thursday Reminder
Create a recurring weekly reminder for Thursdays at 11 AM ET (or your local equivalent). The giveaway period is exactly 7 days, so if you forget one Thursday you still have until the following Thursday to claim. But building a habit ensures you never miss a game.
Use the Mobile App When Traveling
The Epic Games Store mobile app lets you claim free games from anywhere. If you are on vacation, away from your PC, or just on the go, open the app and claim the game in under a minute. You can also use any mobile browser to log into the Epic Games Store website.
Check for the "Coming Soon" Preview
Epic often shows a preview of next week's free game on the store page below the current giveaway. This is labeled "Coming Soon" or "Free Next Week." Knowing what is coming helps you plan and builds anticipation. Note that the preview is sometimes marked as "Mystery Game" during special events.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Epic requires two-factor authentication (2FA) to claim free games. Set this up once and you will not be blocked when trying to claim. You can use an authenticator app, SMS, or email verification. Epic prompts you to enable 2FA when you first try to claim a free game.
Stack with Other Free Game Sources
Epic is the most reliable free game source, but combining it with other platforms multiplies your library fast. Add Steam freebies, Prime Gaming, and GOG giveaways to build a massive collection. Our complete guide to free PC games covers the full strategy.
7.Epic vs Steam vs GOG vs Prime Gaming
| Feature | Epic | Steam | GOG | Prime Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | Free | $14.99/mo (Prime) |
| Schedule | Weekly (Thursdays) | Irregular | During sales | Monthly batch |
| Game Quality | AAA + Indie | Varies | Classic + Indie | Indie + AA |
| Keep Forever | Yes | Yes | Yes | Depends* |
| DRM-Free | No | No | Yes (always) | Some (GOG keys) |
| Launcher Required | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (mostly) |
*Prime Gaming games redeemed via GOG or Epic codes are permanent. Amazon Games app titles may require an active subscription.
The Verdict
Epic Games Store is the single best source of free PC games. No other platform matches its combination of weekly consistency, high game quality, and zero cost. The weekly Thursday schedule makes it easy to build a habit, and the annual holiday event is unmatched. For a deeper comparison, see our full platform comparison guide.
4 Games Are Free Right Now
Across all platforms — Epic, Steam, GOG, Prime Gaming, and more. Do not miss them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does Epic Games give away free games?
Epic Games Store releases new free games every Thursday at 11 AM Eastern Time (ET). The current free game(s) are available for exactly one week, then replaced with new titles. During the annual holiday event in December, Epic gives away a new game every day for up to 16 days.
Do I keep Epic free games forever?
Yes. Once you claim a free game on Epic Games Store, it is permanently added to your library. You "purchase" it for $0 during the giveaway window. After that, it stays in your account forever, just like a game you paid for. You can download and reinstall it any time.
Do I need to install Epic free games right away?
No. You only need to claim the game (add it to your library) before the giveaway period ends. You do not need to download or install it. The game will sit in your library until you are ready to play it, whether that is next week or next year.
What kind of games does Epic give away for free?
Epic has given away over 300 games since launching the program in December 2018. The catalog includes AAA blockbusters like GTA V, Civilization VI, Control, Death Stranding, and Borderlands 3 alongside critically acclaimed indie games. In 2026, the weekly giveaway program continues with a mix of genres and quality levels.
How do I get notified about Epic free games?
The easiest way is to check TroveGG every Thursday, where we update the free games list as soon as new titles go live. You can also follow @EpicGames on social media, enable email notifications in your Epic Games account settings, or subscribe to the TroveGG RSS feed.
Can I claim Epic free games on mobile?
Yes. The Epic Games Store has a mobile app for iOS and Android that lets you browse and claim free games without being at your computer. You can also claim games through the Epic Games Store website in a mobile browser. The games will appear in your library to download on PC later.
Why does Epic give away free games?
Epic launched the free games program in December 2018 to attract users to the Epic Games Store, which was competing against Steam. By giving away high-value games, Epic built a user base of over 270 million accounts. The program costs Epic money (they pay publishers for each giveaway) but drives traffic to the store where users may buy other games.
What happens if I miss an Epic free game?
Once an Epic free game giveaway expires, the game returns to its normal price and cannot be claimed for free. Epic rarely repeats the same game. This is why claiming every week matters, even for games you are not sure about. There is no way to retroactively claim a missed giveaway.
Are Epic free games the full version?
Yes. Epic free games are the full, complete base game, not demos or trials. Some games may have optional DLC or expansion packs that are sold separately, but the core game you receive is the same product other people pay full price for.
Does Epic still give away free games in 2026?
Yes. As of 2026, Epic Games Store continues its weekly free game program. New free games are released every Thursday at 11 AM ET. The program has run continuously since December 2018 with no signs of stopping.