Introduction
If you are new to the Rocket League Championship series or a casual fan who doesn’t understand all the nitty-gritty details about the upcoming championship, or a fan who’s wondering how one becomes the ultimate winner. Then you are at the right place.
This mini informative guide will explain everything you need to know to enjoy or participate in the RLCS 2026!
Getting Started with RLCS 2026
If the qualification process or competitive structure feels overwhelming, players aiming to compete often explore Rocket League ranking services to better understand the format and prepare efficiently.
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Competitive Formats in RLCS 2026
The series consists of three separate competitive formats, with 3v3 at the center, followed by 1v1 with its focus on individual talent and mechanics, and 2v2, which debuted in 2025, allowing players a chance for a more diverse competitive playstyle.
Rocket League Championship Series 2026 Format
With players participating from all around the world, the competitors are split into 7 regions:
| Region Code | Region Name |
|---|---|
| NA | North America |
| EU | Europe |
| SAM | South America |
| MENA | Middle East & North Africa |
| OCE | Oceania |
| APAC | Asia-Pacific |
| SSA | Sub-Saharan Africa |
This table shows the regional structure used to divide competitors globally in RLCS 2026.
Competition Structure & Splits
The competition is divided into four stages: Split 1, Split 2, Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), and World Championship. Each split is further divided into 3 opens and 2 majors.
Any up-and-coming player can have a chance to sign up their team for the online qualifying rounds called ‘Opens.’ Allowing each region to host three ‘opens’ per split, duplicating the opens across two online splits. Doubling the opportunity for players to win the title of the ultimate champion!
Points will be awarded to the teams based on their performance in each open, which will be reflected in the split. The points earned during all three opens will add up in each split, qualifying or disqualifying a player. The top teams from each region’s split will qualify to in-person major tournament. Which will lead to the world championship.
Prize Pool
The total prize pool for the 2026 season is $6.1 million, which will be spread across different competitions and different game formats.
Rocket League Opens Championship Structure
Played yearly with over 1000 teams registered online, the competition has designed an efficient system to narrow down to the more deserving competitors through multiple-stage elimination. Let’s dive in to understand how the elimination bracket works!
Double Elimination Bracket
The teams start at the top, aka the upper bracket. But losing an open will lead to the lower bracket, losing another, and that will lead to an elimination.
Swiss Stage
The top 32 teams from the double elimination bracket move on to compete in the best-of-five matches (Bo5). Players with the same win-to-lose record will compete against each other. Winning three matches will lead to the next round, while losing three will get you eliminated.
GSL Groups
In the Global StarCraft League, there will be 2 groups of 8 teams.
Hybrid Elimination Bracket
With only 8 teams left at this stage, the hybrid elimination bracket gives 2 chances to the top 4 teams, while the bottom 4 will be eliminated without the same safety net to fall back on.
Event Schedule / Locations
Kick-off LAN event
A season-opener LAN event that took place at BLAST Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark, from December 5 to 7, 2025. It helped determine qualification for Major 1 and regional slots.
Major 1
The first RLCS major of the season will be held in Boston, USA, at Agganis Arena from February 19-22, 2026. With 16 international teams and a prize pool of $354,000.
Major 2
The second RLCS major of the season will be held in Paris, France, from May 20-24, 2026. This is one of Europe’s largest esports venues.
Last Chance Qualifier (LCQs)
Teams that couldn’t qualify for worlds through RLCS points will have a second chance to salvage through LCQs. It will be held only for the top 4 regions. Each region will send its top team to the worlds.
World Championship
The world championship is scheduled for September 2026 and will run for 6 days with a multi-stage format. However, the location for the event hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. There will be 20 teams in total, 16 qualified via RLCS points and 4 qualified via LCQs.
RLSC 2026 Season Timeline Overview
| Phase | Dates / Timeframe | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Season Start | November 14, 2025 | Official start of the RLCS 2026 season |
| Kickoff Studio LAN | December 5–7, 2025 | Introductory LAN event to open the season |
| Split 1 | Dec 2025 – Feb 2026 | First competitive split with online Opens |
| Major 1 | Late February 2026 | International LAN Major hosted in Boston, USA |
| Split 2 Start | Late March 2026 | Second competitive split begins |
| Split 2 | Mar 2026 – May 2026 | Second set of Opens and point accumulation |
| Major 2 | Late May 2026 | Final international Major of the season hosted in Paris, France |
| 1v1 Opens | June – July 2026 | Individual competition format opens |
| 2v2 Opens | June – July 2026 | Duo-based competition opens |
| Regional LCQs | July 2026 – August 2026 | Last Chance Qualifiers by region |
| World Championship | September 2026 (6 Days) | RLCS 2026 World Championship event |
This table outlines the full competitive timeline for the RLCS 2026 season.
First-Hand Experience
What We’ve Seen in Live Competitive Play
Teams that perform best in RLCS Opens typically have prior structured scrim experience and a clear understanding of the elimination formats. Many promising teams drop out early due to unfamiliarity with point accumulation and bracket pressure rather than lack of mechanical skill.
Conclusion
Rocket League Championship Series is an annual event that gives every fan a chance to compete at a global level. The game invites every player, advanced or beginner, to take part and prove themselves through point-based systems under immense pressure.
For new or old fans, understanding the format of the game makes it much more enjoyable, and for players, outlining a clear path from opens to the championship is essential to becoming a part of the game!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can fans follow the events?
The RLCS opens, and majors will be streamed online on Rocket League Twitch and the Rocket League esports YouTube channel.
What are the new roster eligibility changes?
The new regional rules require most of the players to be citizens and residents of the region in which they are competing.
What are the competitive modes in the championship series?
Along with the central 3v3 mode, the championship also includes 1v1 and 2v2 modes for more diverse play.
What happens if the team misses both the majors?
They can rely on LCQs if their region has one.
Can new teams compete in RLCS 2026?
Yes, the Opens are open-entry and allow new teams to qualify every split.