Apex Legends Season 8: Release date, new legend, map changes and Anniversary Collection

With Apex Legends Season 7 still raging on, we look towards the future of Respawn Entertainment's Battle Royale title. Fans are already excited about the release of Apex Legends Season 8, and the developer has started teasing the next season.

Here's everything we know so far about Apex Legends Season 8, including the all-but-confirmed release date, as well as the content you can expect, from a new Legend called Fuse to the upcoming Anniversary Collection and more.

Apex Legends Season 8 release date

Apex Legends Season 7 will end on 1st February 2021 according to the in-game timer. This means the release date for Apex Legends Season 8 will likely also be on 1st February 2021.

Expect some server downtime as a big new update for Season 8's release gets deployed. It is worth pointing out Apex Legends' two-year anniversary is on 4th February 2021, at which point we could expect something big to happen.

Apex Legends new Legend: Fuse

Apex Legends Season 7 introduced Horizon, and in Apex Legends Season 8, it is very likely we will see a new Legend called Fuse emerge.

Thanks to dataminers, we know the game files list the Legend’s name as Fuse. The new Legend coming to Apex Legends Season 8 seems to be all about explosives, and you can listen to the datamined sounds for his abilities below thanks to dataminer Biast12.

Fan speculation is that Fuse is a dangerous mercenary hired by Blisk. The next Apex Legends character could have an ultimate ability in the form of a strike.

This ability could ignite a ring of fire and deals damages over time.

We've also seen Fuse's tactical ability animations leaked thanks to dataminer SWL, which showcases a rough animation in action.

(Picture: SWL)

The image above showcases what is known as "Fuse_Tactical_Grenade_Projectile in the game's files.

Keep in mind these are still just leaks, and should be taken with a grain of salt until such time as Respawn officially reveals the next Apex Legends character releasing with Season 8.

Apex Legends Anniversary Collection skins

According to known Apex Legends leaker Shrugtal, there will be a new Apex Legends Anniversary Collection event in Season 8. However, it appears Respawn is switching things up a bit.

Normally, players would be able to grind it out for a new Heirloom for a specific Legend. According to the leak, Apex Legends Season 8's Anniversary Collection event will, instead, grant you 150 Heirloom Shards on completion.

Players will reportedly be able to pick an Heirloom they want, and open packs or spend coins to complete the collection.

Shrugtal also found several images of recoloured skins which players should be able to collect during the Season 8 Anniversary Collection event, which you can view below. All images below via Shrugtal.

Warlord Bloodhound:

From the Ashes:

Outlands Warrior:

Bonesaw:

These leaked skins have not been confirmed by Respawn Entertainment.

Apex Legends possible map changes

As with every other season of Apex Legends, we should see some map changes coming in hot with the release of Season 8.

It appears we might get some big updates to King's Canyon with the release of Season 8, and players can also expect some changes to other maps thrown into the mix.

A new location from World's Edge, Mirage Voyage, has been found and it should be situated at Skull Town's former location.

(Picture: Shrugtal)

Dataminer Shrugtal explains on Twitter: "Very similar to the "UFO" that I rendered out in Season 5 that became Elysium, Mirage Voyage is currently situated (AND HIDDEN) on the current map file version of King's Canyon, over the remnants of Skull Town."

• Read more: Apex Legends Mobile release date window revealed

This is everything we know so far about Apex Legends Season 8. Keep in mind there will also be a new Battle Pass to throw your wallet or coins at, and we can't wait to see what Respawn has in store for players in February 2021.