RLCS Open Qualifiers serve as the primary entry point for all teams, from amateur to professional, to compete in the Rocket League Championship Series and earn a spot in prestigious international Majors. They are a multi-stage tournament series designed to award RLCS Points, which are crucial for advancing through the competitive season.
Understanding RLCS Open Qualifiers
Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Open Qualifiers are structured tournaments where teams battle it out to earn RLCS Points and, ultimately, qualify for Majors. These qualifiers are open to any eligible team, providing a pathway for aspiring players to reach the highest levels of Rocket League esports.
The Qualifier Structure
Each competitive "Split" (typically Fall, Winter, Spring) within an RLCS season features three Open Qualifiers. These qualifiers are distinct tournaments, each offering a set amount of RLCS Points based on a team's performance.
- Open Registration: Any team meeting the eligibility criteria (e.g., minimum age, regional residency) can sign up to participate. This inclusive approach makes RLCS one of the most accessible esports.
- Tournament Format: Open Qualifiers typically utilize a double-elimination bracket format. This means teams must lose two matches before being eliminated, offering a chance to recover from an early loss. Matches are usually played in a best-of-five (Bo5) or best-of-seven (Bo7) series format as teams progress further into the bracket.
- Stages of Competition:
- Open Bracket: Initial rounds where a large number of teams compete.
- Closed Qualifier/Swiss Stage: As teams progress, they often enter a more exclusive stage, such as a Swiss format or a smaller double-elimination bracket, to determine the top finishers.
Earning RLCS Points
RLCS Points are the currency of the competitive season. Teams earn these points based on their final standing in each Open Qualifier. Higher placements yield significantly more points.
Here's a simplified example of how points might be distributed:
| Placement | RLCS Points (Example) |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | 16 Points |
| 2nd Place | 12 Points |
| 3rd – 4th Place | 9 Points |
| 5th – 8th Place | 6 Points |
| 9th – 16th Place | 3 Points |
| 17th – 32nd Place | 1 Point |
(Note: Exact point distribution varies by season and region; this table is illustrative.)
The Path to a Major
The ultimate goal for teams competing in Open Qualifiers is to accumulate enough RLCS Points to qualify for an international Major. After each Major's 3rd Open Qualifier, the top teams in each region, determined by their regional RLCS Points standings, will qualify and compete internationally in the next in-person Major. For instance, in North America (NA), the top four (4) teams based on their cumulative RLCS Points from all three Open Qualifiers within that Major's split secure a highly coveted spot.
These Majors are the pinnacle of each Split, bringing together the best teams from various regions to compete for significant prize money and further RLCS Championship Points, which contribute to qualifying for the end-of-season World Championship.
Key Aspects of Open Qualifiers
- Accessibility: Open qualifiers democratize esports, allowing new talent to emerge and challenge established rosters.
- Consistency is Key: Teams must perform well across all three qualifiers in a Split to maximize their point total and secure a Major spot. A single good performance might not be enough.
- Regional Competition: Teams primarily compete against others within their designated region (e.g., North America, Europe, South America, Oceania, MENA, APAC).
- Live Broadcasts: The later stages of Open Qualifiers are often broadcast live on official Rocket League Twitch and YouTube channels, allowing fans to follow the action.
In summary, RLCS Open Qualifiers are the foundational tournaments of the Rocket League competitive circuit. They provide a structured, accessible, and thrilling battleground where teams earn crucial RLCS Points to progress through the season and ultimately compete on the international stage at Majors.
