How To Claim Free Splatoon 3 Grand Festival Gear And Banners

Jan. 14, 2026, 9:01 a.m.

Tags: splatoon

Nintendo is distributing complimentary in-game items for Splatoon 3 to commemorate the upcoming Grand Festival Splatfest and Triumvirate Big Run events scheduled for September. The promotion includes seven pieces of headgear and three event-specific banners. These freebies are available to players who access the Nintendo Switch News channel and follow a specific redemption process within the game. The items are designed to allow players to represent the three idol groups—Past, Present, and Future—during the Splatfest. Additionally, a new Work Suit for Salmon Run and Big Run is available, featuring a black and orange color scheme. The Grand Festival is noted as a significant event, potentially the last non-repeat Splatfest for the game, marking a major milestone in the title's lifecycle.

Overview of Available Free Items

The promotional giveaway consists of specific in-game assets intended to celebrate the Grand Festival. According to the source material, the items available include:

Headgear: Seven distinct pieces are being offered. These are described as being based on the special outfits that the three idol groups will wear during their Grand Festival performance. Specific items listed include the "Now or Never" Spikes, Crown, Cap, Earrings, Barrette, Horns, and Headdress.
Banners: Three Splatfest banners are included in the giveaway. Each banner represents one of the teams participating in the Splatfest: Past, Present, or Future.
Work Suit: A new Work Suit for use in Salmon Run and Big Run modes is also available. It is described as having a cool black and orange color scheme.

These items are intended to allow players to fully celebrate their chosen team when participating in the Splatfest. The release of these items coincides with the game's second anniversary and the winding down of the game's major update cycle.

Eligibility and Requirements

To receive the free Grand Festival gear and banners, players must meet specific technical requirements and follow the designated redemption path.

Game Ownership: The player must own a copy of Splatoon 3 for the Nintendo Switch.
System Update: The source material explicitly states that the game must be updated to the latest version (specifically mentioned as ver. 9.0.0 in one context) to ensure compatibility with the redemption process.
Nintendo Account: Access to the Nintendo Switch News channel requires a functioning Nintendo Switch system connected to the internet.
Event Timing: The items are released in preparation for the Grand Festival Splatfest and Triumvirate Big Run, both scheduled for September. The availability of the items is tied to the news post window.

There is no mention of a purchase requirement or a subscription service (such as Nintendo Switch Online) being necessary to claim these specific items, as the redemption occurs through the system-level News channel.

Step-by-Step Redemption Process

There are two distinct methods mentioned in the source material for obtaining free items in Splatoon 3: one specific to the Grand Festival giveaway via the Switch News channel, and a general method for redeeming QR codes.

Method 1: Switch News Channel (Grand Festival Gear)

This is the primary method for obtaining the specific Grand Festival headgear and banners.

Access News: On the Nintendo Switch home screen, select the "News" icon.
Locate Story: Scroll through the news feed to find the Splatoon 3 news story titled "Special Grand Festival themed gear and banner available!" (or similar wording).
Launch Game: Select the "Start Splatoon 3" button located at the bottom of the news story. This launches the game directly from the news article.
Enter Lobby: Once the game has loaded, proceed to the Lobby.
Access Terminal: Boot up the Lobby Terminal within the game.
Redeem Items: Select the "Get Stuff" option to redeem the Grand Festival gear and banners.

It is critical to ensure the game is updated to the latest version before attempting this process. The items should appear in the player's inventory immediately upon redemption.

Method 2: QR Code Redemption

While the Grand Festival items are distributed via the News channel, the source material also details how to redeem general Splatoon 3 QR codes. This method is typically used for other promotional items or codes released by Nintendo.

Capture Code: Screenshot the Splatoon 3 QR code or have it available on a second screen.
Open App: Open the Splatoon 3 application on the Switch.
Select QR Reader: Press the QR reader option within the game menu.
Scan Image: Choose "scan a QR code from a saved image" and select the code from the photo album.
Alternative Method: Alternatively, players can use a phone camera if they have a second screen available. The process involves following the first three steps and then choosing the camera option to snap the QR code.

Once scanned and verified, the associated items will be added to the player's inventory.

Event Context: Grand Festival and Big Run

The distribution of free gear is tied to two major upcoming events in Splatoon 3.

Grand Festival Splatfest: This is described as likely the last non-repeat Splatfest in the game's history. It is a significant finale celebrating the game's second anniversary. The event will feature the three idol groups and will likely determine the future direction of the series lore. Players can use the three banners (Past, Present, Future) to represent their chosen team.
Triumvirate Big Run: This is a special version of the Big Run event where players face all three King Salmonids simultaneously. The free Work Suit is specifically intended for use in this mode.

These events represent a "winding down" phase for Splatoon 3, making the free distribution of commemorative gear a way for Nintendo to mark the occasion.

Troubleshooting and Limitations

Based on the source material, the following limitations and troubleshooting steps are relevant:

Version Mismatch: If the "Get Stuff" option does not appear or the items are not redeemed, the most likely cause is that the game is not updated to the latest version (ver. 9.0.0 or higher). Players should check for system updates and game updates in the System Settings.
News Post Visibility: If the specific news story is not visible in the News channel, users may need to scroll further down or check the Splatoon 3 specific tag within the News app.
QR Code Errors: If a QR code fails to scan, ensure the image is clear and the code is not damaged. The system supports scanning from saved images or using a camera.

The source material does not specify an expiration date for the Grand Festival giveaway, but it is logically tied to the event window in September.

Summary of Free Offers

Item Category	Specific Items	Redemption Method	Event Context
Headgear	Now or Never Spikes, Crown, Cap, Earrings, Barrette, Horns, Headdress	Switch News Channel	Grand Festival Splatfest
Banners	Past, Present, Future Banners	Switch News Channel	Grand Festival Splatfest
Work Suit	Black and Orange Work Suit	Switch News Channel	Salmon Run / Big Run

Conclusion

Nintendo is actively supporting the Splatoon 3 community by offering free in-game items to celebrate the Grand Festival and Triumvirate Big Run events. Players interested in obtaining the "Now or Never" Spikes, Crown, Cap, Earrings, Barrette, Horns, Headdress, and the three team banners must access the Nintendo Switch News channel and launch the game via the specific news story. Additionally, a new Work Suit is available for Salmon Run enthusiasts. To ensure successful redemption, players should verify that their game is updated to the latest version (ver. 9.0.0 or later). These items serve as commemorative gear for what is described as a historic finale for the game.