GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges - what are they and how to start them

GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges are tasks that pop up at regular intervals while you're in freemode, and provide various activities to take part in without having to go through any matchmaking lobbies or loading screens first. They've been available in GTA Online for a number of years, but new items have gradually been added over time to build up the roster into the wide selection we have available today. There's never been a better time to try them out, as there are triple rewards available until July 19 for taking part, so here's everything you need to know about the GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges.

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How to start GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges

GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

To start GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges, you need to be in the right type of lobby – most sessions are compatible, including a Public, Invite only, Crew session, or Friends only session. Then you need at least four players in the lobby who are available to take part, although certain events need at least ten players to go ahead, and if too many players leave during a Freemode Event or Challenge to take the total below the required threshold then it will be cancelled.

GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges usually start at 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00 on the in-game clock, which is 12 minutes in real-time. A notification will appear in the top left of the screen to advise all players which Freemode Event or Challenge is about to start and provide any additional details, while a timer in the bottom right corner counts down until the start. You then have a limited amount of time to complete whatever task has been set, with an on-screen leaderboard showing the top scorers so far, and the player list becoming a leaderboard for everyone's scores. When the time runs out, you'll be told your ranking and receive any rewards earned by your performance.

What GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges are available

GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

There are plenty of different GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges available, with one being selected at random for each instance triggered in the lobby. Freemode Events are more involved experiences and can often go on for a long period, while Freemode Challenges are simpler tasks that normally have a five minute time limit, with the exception of any airborne challenges which last for ten minutes instead.

If you're looking for a complete list of the currently available GTA Online Freemode Events and Challenges, we have it below:

GTA Online Freemode Events

  • Air Checkpoints: Collect checkpoints in aircraft over a section of the sky
  • Business Battles: Battle other players for large drops of Business goods then return them to your warehouse or marked drop point
  • Checkpoints: Collect checkpoints in land or sea vehicles around a section of the map
  • Criminal Damage: Cause as much destruction as possible
  • Hold the Wheel: Steal the target vehicle and hold it for as long as possible
  • Hot Property: Steal and hold the target briefcase for as long as possible
  • Hunt the Beast: A random player becomes the Beast, who has to visit 10 landmarks while all other players try to track and kill them
  • Kill List: Destroy as many Merryweather patrols as possible in a provided armed vehicle
  • King of the Castle: Capture and hold a designated area for as long as possible
  • Penned In: Stay inside a moving area while fighting off other players, as it slowly gets smaller

GTA Online Freemode Challenges

  • Driveby Challenge: Achieve the highest number of driveby kills on players
  • Headshot Kills Challenge: Achieve the highest number of headshot kills on players
  • Highest Speed Challenge: Achieve the highest speed in a land vehicle
  • Longest Bail Challenge: Travel the furthest distance when bailing from a land vehicle
  • Longest Fall Survived Challenge: Fall the longest distance without dying
  • Longest Flying Inverted Challenge: Fly upside-down near the ground for the longest distance
  • Longest Freefall Challenge: Fall the longest distance with a parachute before opening it
  • Longest Jump Challenge: Perform the longest jump in a land vehicle
  • Longest Stoppie Challenge: Perform the longest stoppie on a motorcycle
  • Longest Wheelie Challenge: Perform the longest wheelie on a motorcycle
  • Low Flying Challenge: Fly low to the ground for the longest distance
  • Lowest Parachute Challenge: Open your parachute closest to the ground while freefalling
  • Melee Challenge: Achieve the highest number of melee kills on players
  • Most Bridges Challenge: Fly under the most bridges in the time limit
  • Near Misses Challenge: Perform the most near misses with other vehicles in a land vehicle without crashing
  • No Crashes Challenge: Drive the furthest distance in a land vehicle without crashing
  • Reverse Driving Challenge: Reverse the longest distance without crashing
  • Sniper Kills Challenge: Achieve the highest number of sniper rifle kills on players
  • Vehicles Stolen Challenge: Steal the most vehicles

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Iain Wilson
Guides Editor

Iain originally joined Future in 2012 to write guides for CVG, PSM3, and Xbox World, before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor. His words have also appeared in OPM, OXM, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, and SFX. He is better known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’, due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware, and he now has over 500 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet. He does not care for Xbox Achievements.