BLAST releases RLCS 2026 roadmap with new format

BLAST has lifted the curtain on the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2026 season, outlining a bigger and bolder competitive year for Rocket League esports.

The new roadmap keeps the core 3v3 format but introduces fresh twists, including 2v2 as an official mode, a new Kick-Off LAN, and updated roster rules to keep regional competition balanced.

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What’s new in RLCS 2026?

For the first time, RLCS will run 2v2 tournaments alongside the flagship 3v3 series and returning 1v1 events.

The 2v2 format will feature their own online Opens and LAN appearances, bringing new strategies and specialist duos into the spotlight.

Roster eligibility has also been tightened.

Teams competing in 3v3 tournaments must field at least two players who are residents or citizens of the region they represent.

For four-player rosters that include a substitute, three of the four must meet the same criteria.

According to BLAST, this shift is designed to ensure regional strength while still allowing international stars to shine.

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RLCS 2026 season structure & key dates

The 2026 campaign will largely follow the proven RLCS formula, with online Opens feeding into LAN Majors, with points earned throughout leading to the World Championship.

Each of the two splits will include three Opens followed by a Major.

The 2026 season will begin on November 14, 2025 and a new Kick-Off LAN will debut in Copenhagen from December 5 to 7, 2025. Serving as the conclusion of the first Open, it will host 12 teams and award the winner an automatic slot at Major 1, plus an extra slot for their region at Major 2.

RLCS 2026 key dates

• North America & Europe: November 14, 2025
• South America & Asia Pacific: November 15, 2025
• Middle East & North Africa: November 21, 2025
• Oceania & Sub-Sahara Africa: November 22, 2025

• Kick-Off LAN: December 5-7, 2025 – Copenhagen, Denmark
• RLCS Major 1: February 2026 – North America
• RLCS Major 2: May 24-25, 2026 – La Defense Arena, Paris
• 1v1 & 2v2 Opens: June-July, 2025
• Last Chance Qualifiers: July-August 2026
• RLCS World Championship: September 2026 – extended to six days

Road to the 2026 World Championship

The 2026 RLCS World Championship will feature the top 16 teams by RLCS Points, joined by four teams from the Last Chance Qualifiers and the winners of the 1v1 and 2v2 Opens.

For the first time, the event will run for six days in 2026, giving fans even more high-stakes Rocket League action.

With a new competitive mode, expanded LAN schedule, and sharpened eligibility standards, RLCS 2026 promises to raise the bar for Rocket League esports.

From the Kick-Off LAN in Copenhagen to a six-day World Championship, the season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet for players and fans alike.