RLCS 2025 Season Preview: Teams, Format & World Championship Guide

Updated On: August 23, 2025 by     Aaron Connolly  

Key Dates and Schedule

The RLCS 2025 season stretches from March to September. Three major tournaments lead up to the World Championship.

Birmingham hosts the first major (March 27-30), then Raleigh (June 26-29), and finally, the World Championship lands in Lyon, France (September 10-14).

RLCS 2025 Season Timeline

Regional qualifiers kick off the action in early March. Teams battle for spots in the first major.

March 2025: Regional qualifiers begin across all seven regions. Teams fight for a place at the Birmingham Major.

April-May 2025: Split 1 continues with more regional events and ranking matches. Teams rack up points for World Championship qualification.

June 2025: Raleigh hosts the second major. This event is a huge shot at World Championship points.

July-August 2025: Final regional tournaments and Last Chance Qualifiers wrap up. Teams make their last push for the big stage.

September 2025: The World Championship crowns the season’s best in Lyon, France.

Major Tournament Dates

We’ve got three confirmed majors for RLCS 2025. The world’s top teams show up for these, with big prize money on the line.

Birmingham Major: March 27-30, 2025 in Birmingham, UK. This event starts the international competition.

Raleigh Major: June 26-29, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Teams chase crucial World Championship points here.

The third major’s location hasn’t been announced yet. It usually happens between the second major and the World Championship.

These tournaments include both 3v3 team showdowns and the new 1v1 format. Each major adds to the season’s $5,000,000 total prize pool.

World Championship Schedule

The RLCS 2025 World Championship hits the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, Lyon, France, from September 10-14. This year, 20 teams compete—up from 16 last season.

September 10: Play-In stage opens with 8 teams in best-of-5 matches. The top 4 move on to the Group Stage.

September 11-12: Group Stage features 16 teams in two groups of 8. Matches stay best-of-5.

September 12: Fans can finally attend in person as the first crowd day begins.

September 13-14: Playoffs use the AFL Final Eight system with best-of-7 matches. The top 4 Group Stage teams get two chances, while teams ranked 5th-8th start with one.

The championship offers a $1,200,000 prize pool split between all qualifying teams.

New Features and Format Changes

The RLCS 2025 season shakes things up in a big way. We’re getting a bigger World Championship (20 teams now), the first-ever official 1v1 competition, and a revamped tournament structure with Last Chance Qualifiers.

Expanded Team Slots and Regions

The World Championship now brings in 20 teams instead of 16. That’s a big jump, and it lets more regions send their best.

Major regions keep their core slots. Europe, North America, Middle East & North Africa, and South America all keep their usual allocations.

The Last Chance Qualifiers give teams another shot at making Worlds. If a team just misses direct qualification, they’re not out of luck yet.

This expansion should make things more intense. More teams means deeper regional talent and less certainty for the usual favorites.

Introduction of 1v1 Format

RLCS 2025 rolls out an official 1v1 tournament series alongside the classic 3v3. Honestly, it’s a huge shift for RLCS.

The 1v1 series runs in every region:

• Europe
• North America
• Middle East & North Africa
• South America

Each region holds its own 1v1 events with separate prize pools. This format puts the spotlight on individual mechanical skill.

We’ll probably see some surprises. Star 3v3 players might struggle, while lesser-known solo specialists could make a name for themselves.

Quick win: Check out 1v1 showmatches between pros to see how strategy changes when you’re on your own.

Tournament Structures and Swiss System

The tournament sticks with the two-split format from 2024. Each split has three online opens leading up to majors.

Majors now use a beefed-up Swiss System:

• 32 teams in two groups of 16
• Swiss rounds decide group standings
• Top 8 in each group move to playoffs

The Swiss System cuts down on random bracket luck. Every team gets multiple matches before getting knocked out, which feels fairer.

Group stages follow with 16 teams in two GSL groups of eight. Matches are best-of-five until playoffs, which switch to best-of-seven.

Heads up: Swiss System means longer days, but the seeding for knockouts is way more accurate.

World Championship at LDLC Arena

The Rocket League Championship Series 2025 wraps up at LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, from September 9-14. For the first time ever, France hosts Worlds, with 20 teams chasing £884,500 over six days.

Venue Overview: LDLC Arena in Lyon

The LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu becomes Rocket League’s center stage for Worlds. This is a big deal—a first for both the venue and the series.

Right in the Lyon metro area, the arena was built for esports. Fans get assigned seats, not general admission, so you know you’ll have your spot.

Spectators can enter from September 12-14. The first two days are just for teams and staff—no public access yet.

If you’re going, check the LDLC Arena website for parking details. Public transport from Lyon’s city center gets you there pretty easily.

Event Days and Fan Access

The World Championship runs for six days, but not every day is open to fans. Here’s the breakdown:

Date	Event	Public Access
9 Sep	Opening ceremonies	No
10 Sep	Play-in stage (8 teams)	No
11 Sep	Group stage begins	No
12 Sep	Group stage continues	Yes
13 Sep	Knockout rounds	Yes
14 Sep	Grand finals	Yes

The play-in stage puts eight teams in a GSL format, best-of-five matches. Only four survive to join the main bracket.

Twenty teams total will compete—more than ever before. That means extra matches and longer days for the crowd.

Prize Pool and Ticket Information

The World Championship features a £884,500 prize pool (about $1.2 million USD). That’s one of the biggest Rocket League has ever seen.

Ticket prices and details:

• All-Weekend Access: €75-€225 (plus booking fees)
• Ultimate Experience Package: €450 (plus booking fees)
• Limit: Up to 8 tickets per order

Ultimate Experience gets you premium seats, merch bundles, and meet-and-greet access. You can even get a trophy photo session—pretty cool.

Tickets went live in February 2025 on Ticketmaster. Pre-sales ran February 10-12, then general sales opened up.

Heads up: You’ll pay extra fees at checkout. Plan for those extra costs before you buy.

All tickets cover Friday through Sunday. There aren’t any single-day passes this time.

Qualification and Regional Pathways

RLCS 2025 expanded Worlds from 16 to 20 teams and brought in Last Chance Qualifiers. Teams qualify by earning regional points or winning their region’s LCQ.

Regional Qualifier Structure

Each region follows a set path through multiple Open tournaments. These events lead to automatic World Championship spots.

Regional Spot Allocation:

• North America: 4 teams
• Europe: 4 teams
• Middle East & North Africa: 2 teams
• South America: 2 teams
• Oceania: 2 teams
• Asia-Pacific: 1 team
• Sub-Saharan Africa: 1 team

Teams rack up RLCS points by playing in regional Opens all season.

Top teams in each region lock in automatic qualification. For example, NRG clinched North America’s first spot on May 9, 2025, followed by Gen.G Mobil1 Racing, Spacestation Gaming, and The Ultimates by May 25.

In Europe, Karmine Corp punched their ticket on May 4. Team Vitality, Dignitas, and Geekay Esports joined them in June.

Last Chance Qualifiers

Last Chance Qualifiers give teams one last shot if they missed out on points. These are single-elimination, winner-take-all events—one extra spot per region.

LCQ Regional Results:

• MENA: ROC Esports (July 19)
• South America: Corinthians Esports (July 27)
• North America: Shopify Rebellion (August 3)
• Europe: Ninjas in Pyjamas (August 10)

Regions with higher average Major performance get more LCQ priority. MENA leads with 32 average Major points, then Europe (26.75) and North America (19).

Only regions that meet performance requirements get LCQ spots. This keeps things balanced and rewards regions that are developing well.

Team Selection Criteria

Teams grab their Worlds spots by earning regional points or winning the LCQ. Points come from Opens and Majors throughout the season.

Qualification Timeline Examples:

• Karmine Corp locked in EU qualification after beating Gentle Mates Alpine 4-3 in the Raleigh Major EU Open 4
• Team Falcons dominated MENA with a 4-0 win over ROC Esports in Open 5
• FURIA took SAM’s first spot after a 4-0 sweep against Team Secret

Teams have to stay consistent across multiple events. The system favors those who deliver all season, not just at one big event.

Points stack up from January to August, with LCQs wrapping by August 10, 2025. Teams get plenty of chances to prove they belong.

Major Events: Birmingham and Raleigh

The RLCS 2025 season brought two huge international tournaments that shaped the competitive landscape. Birmingham started things off as the first major clash for regional champions, and Raleigh set the stage for the run-up to Worlds.

Birmingham Major: Highlights and Format

The Birmingham Major ran from March 27 to 30 at the bp pulse LIVE Arena inside the National Exhibition Centre. RLCS finally returned to the UK after a long break.

Tournament Structure:

• 16 teams qualified from seven regions
• Prize pool totaled £271,721 ($351,000)
• Group stage led into knockout brackets
• Fans filled the arena for the weekend finals

The format pulled together top Rocket League talent for the season’s first international clash. Teams went after not just prize money, but those all-important RLCS Circuit Ranking points.

Key Features:

• Assigned seats in the arena
• Weekend tickets included both Saturday and Sunday
• Ticket prices ranged from £55 to £120
• Buyers could grab up to eight tickets per order

Birmingham set the pace for the 2025 season. Regional champions finally got to test themselves against international rivals. The event showed which regions stepped up during the off-season and which teams could handle the LAN spotlight.

Raleigh Major: Favourites and Predictions

The Raleigh Major happened from June 26 to 29 at the Lenovo Center in North Carolina. This second major felt even more unpredictable than Birmingham, with upsets all over the place.

Tournament Highlights:

• Team Falcons from MENA took the trophy
• Multiple underdog stories stole the show
• Prize pool matched Birmingham at $351,000
• 16 teams played under the same format

Karmine Corp showed up as heavy favourites after dominating their region. But the tournament threw curveballs everywhere. Team Falcons’ win marked a huge moment for the Middle East and North Africa.

Notable Storylines:

• MENA’s first major championship
• European giants stumbled
• North American teams couldn’t find their footing at home
• New faces broke through from unexpected regions

Raleigh’s results shook up World Championship predictions. The usual powerhouses started to doubt their dominance as emerging regions proved they could hang with the best.

Playoffs and Finals Structure

RLCS 2025 playoffs use a tweaked Swiss system, then double elimination brackets. Sixteen teams battle through multiple stages. They fight through group rounds before the final eight move on, and those results decide the Rocket League World Championship qualifiers.

Group Stage Breakdown

The Swiss stage format runs for two days, with all 16 teams playing five best-of-five matches. This system gives every team several chances, no matter how they start.

Teams need three wins to reach playoffs. The top four Swiss finishers get a big advantage—they start in the upper bracket with an extra life.

Swiss Stage Structure:

• Duration: 2 days (usually Thursday and Friday)
• Format: Best-of-5 matches
• Rounds: 5 in total
• Advancement: Top 8 teams move on

Teams ranked 5th to 8th have to grind through the lower bracket right away. That adds a lot of pressure during Swiss rounds, since higher placement really boosts your championship odds.

The Swiss system keeps teams from getting knocked out early and still maintains competitive integrity. Unlike old-school groups, teams can bounce back from a rough start if they adjust fast.

Play-In and AFL Final Eight System

The playoff bracket uses double elimination with best-of-seven matches over the weekend. The top four Swiss teams get upper bracket spots, while 5th to 8th start in the lower bracket, where every match could be their last.

Upper Bracket Advantage:

• Two lives before elimination
• Fewer matches needed
• More rest between series

Lower bracket teams have no safety net. They need to win every match to reach the grand final, which sets up some wild storylines and upsets.

Prize Distribution:

• Champion: £76,500 + 36 RLCS points
• Runner-up: £38,250 + 24 points
• 3rd-4th: £15,300 + 16 points each

The points system decides Worlds qualification. Teams have to perform at majors all year to lock in a spot at the season finale.

Grand finals use bracket reset rules—if the lower bracket champ wins the first series, they play a second best-of-seven for the title.

Top Teams and Organisations to Watch

A handful of organisations have really stood out in RLCS 2025. Karmine Corp leads Europe after their Birmingham Major win, Team Falcons rule MENA, and Gen.G Mobil1 Racing carry the flag for North America.

Team Vitality Profile

Team Vitality stays among Europe’s most consistent performers in RLCS 2025. The French squad booked their Raleigh Major ticket with steady results in several qualifiers.

Their roster keeps finishing top 2 or 3 in European events. That reliability makes them a safe bet in tournament predictions.

Key Strengths:

• Strong showings in qualifiers
• Tough defensive play
• Veteran roster with LAN experience

The team keeps falling short of first place, though. They often just miss out in grand finals against other top European teams.

Vitality fans are hungry for a big win at a major. Their steady play could pay off if others choke under pressure.

Karmine Corp Highlights

Karmine Corp sits at the top of Europe after crushing the Birmingham Major. The French lineup steamrolled their way to the trophy at the season’s first international.

They punched their Raleigh Major ticket with back-to-back open qualifier wins. Even when Dignitas beat them in Open 5, KC didn’t seem fazed.

Recent Achievements:

• Birmingham Major Champions 2025
• Multiple EU qualifier wins
• Europe’s highest-ranked team

KC’s aggressive style and mechanical skill put them at the top of most people’s lists. Their momentum from Birmingham makes them serious threats heading into the next big event.

Sometimes, they look a bit overconfident. But when they’re locked in, almost nobody can keep up.

Gen.G Mobil1 Racing Roster

Gen.G Mobil1 Racing stands as North America’s steady force in RLCS 2025. They earned a Raleigh Major spot by consistently finishing top 2 or 3 in NA qualifiers.

They don’t chase flashy wins. Instead, they rack up points with reliable showings, especially when others slip up.

Tournament Record:

• Top 2 in NA Open qualifier
• Top 3 in the second qualifier
• Consistent points-first approach

Their methodical style feels different from NA’s more explosive teams. That steadiness usually pays off at high-pressure majors.

Gen.G’s international experience gives them an extra edge. They know how to handle the grind of long events.

Team Falcons: MENA Champions

Team Falcons completely own the Middle East & North Africa region. They swept every qualifier in Split 2, showing nobody can touch them at home.

The team keeps ranking among the world’s best. Their hunger for a major title is obvious.

Regional Performance:

• Won all MENA Split 2 qualifiers
• Unchallenged regional leaders
• Strong history at international events

Falcons bring crazy individual skill and tight teamwork to every major. Their MENA dominance actually holds up pretty well against Europe and North America.

If you’re looking for a team to root for, catch Falcons’ matches at Raleigh. They’ve always been strong internationally and could finally grab their first major trophy.

Their energy and drive make them legit title contenders. A lot of analysts see them as dark horses for the Raleigh Major.

Emerging Talent and Dark Horse Teams

A bunch of new regional teams and underdog squads are ready to shake things up in RLCS 2025. Teams like TSM from Oceania and Spacestation Gaming from North America have already shown they can upset the favourites and grab major spots.

Breakout Regional Teams

TSM made a splash by beating Helfie Chiefs for Oceania’s second Raleigh Major spot. Their win in the Open 6 grand final proved they could handle the heat when it mattered.

The team started peaking at just the right time. While Wildcard cleaned up with two event wins, TSM quietly built up steam through Split 2.

Spacestation Gaming surprised a lot of folks by winning NA’s last open qualifier. They took advantage of NRG’s lack of drive and locked in their major spot with clutch plays.

Their run came after The Ultimates knocked out NRG earlier in the split. The Ultimates themselves looked sharp at Birmingham Major, hinting that NA’s depth is deeper than people think.

Dignitas shocked Europe by knocking off Birmingham champs Karmine Corp in Open 5. That win marked their return to the top after some rough patches.

It just goes to show—even the best teams can get caught off guard by hungry challengers.

Potential Upsets and Surprises

Team Falcons from MENA keep reaching majors but haven’t lifted the trophy yet. Their drive is sky-high, and they’ve got the talent to finally do it.

MENA teams usually punch above their weight on the international stage. Falcons could ride that regional strength to a breakthrough.

PWR popped up with strong finishes in Oceania after a big roster shakeup in 2024. They still need time to gel, but the org knows what it takes at this level.

Gentle Mates Alpine barely edged out Geekay Esports for Europe’s last spot. Sometimes, teams that scrape through qualifiers show the most hunger when it counts.

The showdown between M8 and Geekay went down to the wire, and both teams flashed moments of brilliance that could turn into major success.

Player Accolades and MVPs

RLCS 2025 brings new recognition for top players, with more MVP awards and fresh achievement categories. Several stars from different regions are making a case for major honors.

Season MVP Candidates

There’s some real competition across every region for this year’s top individual awards. M0nkey M00n from France keeps up his dominance after past championship runs. His mechanics and game sense make him a clear favorite.

Firstkiller leads North America. His aggressive style and clutch moments in majors have earned him global respect. He’s the guy you want in a big match.

From the Middle East, Trk511 is suddenly in the spotlight. His team’s strong results in qualifiers show the region is catching up fast. His aerials and defense really stand out.

zen is the new kid on the block in Europe. At just 16, his speed and creativity have turned heads. People are already calling him the next big thing in Rocket League.

Brazil’s kv1 adds some South American flair. His unpredictable play and big tournament results make him a sneaky pick for major recognition.

Notable Achievements

The 2025 season adds a bunch of new achievement categories, not just MVP. Country representation is now a thing, showing how global Rocket League has become, with 15 nations across 61 players.

The United States tops the list with 15 players (a quarter of the field), followed by Brazil with 8. North America still leads, but other regions are catching up.

Interregional matchups will settle the final rankings. Both Europe and North America send 5 teams to the championship, making them the strongest regions. The Middle East and South America aren’t far behind, each with 3 teams.

Prize pools reach £960,000 for all participants. That’s a big jump in player earnings compared to past years.

The Last Chance Qualifiers gave more teams a shot at glory. Teams that shine in those high-pressure moments often produce the breakout stars everyone’s talking about by season’s end.

Broadcasts and Ways to Watch

You can catch RLCS 2025 across multiple platforms. Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok stream matches in a bunch of languages.

Major tournaments let fans watch in person at places like the Lenovo Center in Raleigh or the bp pulse LIVE Arena in Birmingham.

Official Streams and Languages

Primary English Broadcasts

The main RLCS streams go live on three platforms at once. Twitch is still the go-to at twitch.tv/rocketleague.

YouTube has VOD replays on Rocket League Esports, while TikTok serves up highlights and clips—super handy for mobile.

On packed tournament days, dual broadcasts split the action. Broadcast A features the big matches on main channels.

Broadcast B picks up the simultaneous games on secondary streams like Rocket League Esports Twitch.

International Language Coverage

Fans outside English-speaking regions get solid coverage too. French fans can tune in at twitch.tv/rocketbaguette or their YouTube channel.

Spanish speakers have RocketStreetLive for Latin America and Rosdri for Spain—nice to have options.

Language	Twitch Channel	YouTube Channel
French	rocketbaguette	RocketBaguette
Spanish (LATAM)	RocketStreetLive	rocketstreet
Spanish (Spain)	rosdri_twitch	rosdrirocketleague
Polish	polsatgames	PolsatGames
Portuguese	Multiple channels	Various creators

Polsat Games handles Polish coverage. Portuguese streams come from several creators like Dudsmelow and Celorde.

In-Person Experience for Fans

Tournament Venues and Access

Organizers host big tournaments at top-tier venues in different regions. The Raleigh Major lands at the Lenovo Center from June 26-29, but fans can only attend on weekends.

Birmingham Major runs at bp pulse LIVE Arena, with a similar weekend setup.

Doors usually open at 10 AM local time. You can grab tickets on Ticketmaster, but the best matches tend to sell out fast.

Fan Activities and Merchandise

Meet and greets happen all weekend. Players and teams sign stuff in 30-minute slots between matches.

You’ll find photo ops in marked spots around the venue.

Quick win: Show up early for the best merchandise selection and shorter lines at player signings.

Official booths sell clothing, accessories, and team gear. Popular stuff disappears by Sunday finals, so shopping on Saturday is your safest bet.

Warning: Double-check venue rules for banned items and bag policies before you go. Security can be strict and it changes by location.

Community Engagement and Fan Experience

The RLCS 2025 season really shakes up how fans connect with Rocket League esports. Organizers have boosted production values and added new interactive features, so tournaments feel more alive than ever.

Social Media and Online Resources

Fans get a better viewing experience this year thanks to sharper production. We’re seeing new camera angles, slicker replays, and fresh graphics that make matches easier to follow.

Quick win: Hit up the official RLCS social accounts for live match updates and behind-the-scenes bits during tournaments.

Organizers want to make events more spectator-friendly. The huge £5 million prize pool has people buzzing on social media.

Fans can dive into more interactive content during live streams.

Platform highlights include:

• Twitch streams with multiple camera angles
• Real-time stats overlays during matches
• Interactive polls and predictions on broadcasts
• Player interviews between games

Adding 1v1 competitions to the usual 3v3 gives fans something new to talk about. This change sparks more chatter and content on social media.

Fans seem to like having different ways to get involved. We suggest checking official channels for match times and results.

Event Activities and Merchandise

Going to a live RLCS event? You’ll get direct access to players and creators. The 2025 season brings several in-person tournaments, with Major 1 set for 27-30 March in Birmingham.

At live events, you might find:

• Casters and players hanging out in the venue
• Meet and greets (wait times can be all over the place)
• Merchandise stalls with team gear
• Interactive gaming stations between matches

Warning: Meet and greet lines can get wild, so show up early if you’re after a popular player.

About 75% of attendees usually bump into esports personalities without even planning it. This more casual vibe replaces the old formal signing sessions.

Tickets for big events start at £25-50 for general admission. VIP packages get you better seats and exclusive merch.

Organizers are working on inclusive experiences, so you’ll notice non-English commentary options. International fans seem to appreciate that at UK events.

Frequently Asked Questions

RLCS 2025 is switching things up with 1v1 competitions, more regions in the mix, and a £4 million prize pool. New ways to qualify and international expansion mean emerging talent has more chances than ever.

Who are the exciting new teams to watch out for in this year’s RLCS?

This season’s regional expansion has opened doors for teams from Sub-Saharan Africa and boosted the Middle East and North Africa presence. We’re seeing fresh talent pop up from those areas—honestly, it’s about time.

The Last Chance Qualifiers give four extra teams a shot at the World Championship. Wildcard teams often bring the best surprises.

Teams from Oceania and Asia-Pacific now get guaranteed major spots. That means new playstyles and strategies could shake up the usual favorites.

Could you list the top contenders for the RLCS 2025 championship title?

North America and Europe each send four teams to the majors. These regions usually dominate the prize money and titles.

French teams have drawn particularly strong viewership this season, so their performance could really shape how fans engage.

The new hybrid elimination bracket at the World Championship puts just eight teams in the final stage. That’s a lot of pressure on the big names.

What notable changes to the game’s rules and format should fans be aware of this season?

The headline change is the addition of 1v1 competitions alongside the classic 3v3 tournaments. Two 1v1 opens will crown solo champs who’ll play at the major finals.

All regions now follow a standard format. Double elimination brackets cut the field to 32 teams, then Swiss rounds and hybrid elimination decide the rest.

The World Championship goes down 9-14 September in Lyon, France. It’s the first time the RLCS finals hit a French arena.

Which players have made the biggest impact during the off-season transfers?

The new 1v1 format opens fresh opportunities for players who shine solo. Some team-focused players are splitting their attention between formats now.

Regional expansion lets talented players from emerging markets step onto the global stage. This spreads out the top talent and mixes things up.

Last Chance Qualifiers give skilled players on the edge a way into the World Championship.

How has the international expansion affected the competition landscape?

Seven regions now get guaranteed spots at majors and the World Championship. Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific each have one, while the established regions keep bigger allocations.

The Middle East and North Africa region sends two teams now—double what they used to. That creates more competitive depth.

South America still gets two guaranteed spots, even with all the new competition. That’s helped them build a stable pipeline for regional talent.

Are there any underdog stories shaping up in the build-up to this season?

The Last Chance Qualifier system naturally gives rise to underdog stories. Teams that miss regional qualification still get a shot at the World Championship through this route.

Sub-Saharan Africa only gets one guaranteed spot, so their representative ends up carrying a huge weight of regional pride and expectation. If they pull off any success, it instantly becomes an underdog story worth talking about.

The 1v1 format lets individual players step into the spotlight without needing to rely on a team. Sometimes, a mechanically gifted player from a smaller region can catch everyone off guard and surprise the big names in solo competition.