New 2026 RLCS format promises more games and tougher competition

The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2026 is making a number of big changes for the 2026 season. The most notable of these is the change to the LAN format for 2026, as the Swiss only format sees the addition of Pool Play (Group Stage) added first to increase the number of games.

Changes and Improvements to the RLCS 2026 Format

The upcoming RLCS 2026 Kick Off LAN in Copenhagen is set to be the final event to exclusively use the Swiss format. Both the Major 1 in February, followed by the Paris Major in May, will usher in the new dawn for RLCS LAN events. The format will also be used for the RLCS 2026 World Championships, which will also add a Play-In stage before the main event. The change in format will bring increased competition and also more games for teams to play. A similar format will be on show at the upcoming FIFAe World Cup 2025, featuring Rocket League in December 2025.

Need help understanding the new RLCS Major & World Championship formats?
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— r/RocketLeagueEsports (@RLEsportsReddit) October 28, 2025

RLCS Major 1 2026 Format

Starting with Major 1, we’ll see the introduction of a Group Stage prior to the elimination section. This will be split into four groups of four teams, with the bottom two being eliminated. The Group Stage is a single Round Robin in a best-of-five format (Bo5). The winners of each group will move to the upper bracket, with the second-place sides moving to the lower bracket. The lower bracket is a single-elimination format, while the upper bracket, starting with the quarterfinals, will see the losing sides move into the lower bracket.

RLCS Paris Major 2026 Format

As for the RLCS Paris Major, it will feature a similar format, though slightly expanded upon compared to Major 1. Here, the first-place sides will go directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third-place sides will go into the lower bracket. The second-placed sides will be the higher-seeded and thus face off against the third-placed sides. Sides that finish fourth will be eliminated. The rest of the format is the same, with a single Round Robin and Bo5 used for the Group Stage.

RLCS 2026 Kick Off LAN

The final event on the Swiss format will take place in December in Copenhagen. Sides from the EU and NA will go directly into the single-elimination bracket; however, NA and EU Champions will receive a bye into the Semifinals, while NA and EU Open second-place sides will receive a bye into the quarterfinals.

The side that manages to win the Kick-Off LAN will secure their region an extra spot at the 2026 Major 1, Paris Major and the World Championships. They will also secure their own spot at the Major 1 in 2026.

RLCS Worlds 2026

Worlds 2026 will also use the new format, though it will add a Play-In stage using an elimination bracket to decide which four teams advance to the Group Stage. Worlds will then follow the same format as Paris Major and Major 1, just with an increased number of participating sides.

Overall, the changes have been welcomed by the community at large, though concerns over the impact of ties and thanks to the artistic minds at the r/RocketLeagueEsports, we even have a wonderful graphic to go with the news.