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All You Need to Know About the RLCS 2026 Season: Key Changes and Dates
Kaustavmani Choudhury
Kaustavmani Choudhury
15 Sep, 2025, 16:16
|Last updated: 15 Sep, 2025, 16:21
The RLCS 2026 season roadmap brings major updates, including a reinforced region-lock rule, revamped eligibility criteria, the debut of 2v2 events, and a brand-new Kick-Off LAN to launch the season.
RLCS 2026 Season Format and New Modes
The 3v3 format will continue as the RLCS core competition, with all regions running three online Opens per Split, culminating in a Major LAN at the end of each Split. This means two Majors across the season.
Importantly, 2v2 becomes an official competition mode alongside 1v1s, which debuted in 2025. Each of these game modes will offer distinct Opens and feature at LANs, following the successful integration of 1v1s last season. This shift encourages new team compositions and allows duos to shine on the global stage.
Roster Eligibility Rule Changes
A significant overhaul to roster eligibility will take effect in 2026: all teams must field a majority of players who are either residents or citizens of the region they represent. In practice:
- For 3-player rosters, at least two members must satisfy the region's residency/citizenship requirement.
- For teams registering a substitute (4-player lineup), three out of four must be region-eligible.
These measures are designed to maintain regional integrity while still accommodating global talent.
Official Schedule and Key Dates
Split 1 (November 2025 - February 2026)
- Season Open: November 14, 2025 (NA & EU), November 15-22 for other regions
- Kick-Off LAN: December 5-7, 2025
- Major 1 (North America): February 2026
The Kick-Off LAN
Another new addition to the calendar is the Kick-Off LAN, set for December 5-7, 2025, at BLAST's Copenhagen studio. Twelve teams will face off, with the winner securing spot in Major 1 and an extra Major 2 slot for their home region. This tournament not only sets the tone for the year but also offers the first inter-regional showdown of the season.
Split 2 (March - May 2026)
- Major 2 (Paris, France): May 24-26, 2026
Road to World Championship (June - September 2026)
- RLCS 1v1 and 2v2 online events: June - July
- Regional Last Chance Qualifiers: July - August
- RLCS 2026 World Championship: September
The RLCS 2026 World Championship has been extended to a six-day event. It will feature the 16 teams with the most RLCS Points plus 4 teams from the Last Chance Qualifiers, marking the biggest tournament in Rocket League esports.
The RLCS 2026 season roadmap combines tradition with innovation through 2v2s, a new LAN launch and tighter regional identity. Expect high-level competition, new storylines, and the continued evolution of Rocket League Esports next season.
Check out Strafe Esports for all the latest esports news and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.
Feature Image Source: Rocket League/BLAST
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