Slated for August 4-14, the RLCS World Championship should be an automatic slot in your calendar if you are a Rocket League esports fan. The biggest and easily the most lucrative Rocket League esports event, it will offer over $2 million in prize money, a hint of its significance and importance.
As many as 24 teams will compete in the event, with 16 in the wild-card stage and eight others joining the group stage. The winners will pocket $600,000, while the runners-up will take home $400,000. Teams that finish third and fourth will pocket $200,000 apiece. All 24 teams are entitled to a share of the prize pool.
The wild-card stage features a best-of-five format with eight out of the 16 teams making it to the group stage, where they will be joined by eight others. The group stage, kicking off August 9, will feature two eight-team pools, with the top four from each pool making it through to the playoffs. All the playoff games are slated for August 14, a total of seven games in all played to a best-of-seven format in a single-elimination bracket.
Before we dive in, be sure to brush up on everything you need to know about betting on Rocket League.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moist Esports | +280 |
| The General RNG | +475 |
| G2 Esports | +550 |
| Falcons | +550 |
| FaZe Clan | +600 |
Odds as of July 27 at Sportsbook.
Favorites To Win The RLCS Championship
Moist Esports (+280)
They are the European champions coming into the season on the back of a title-winning run at the Spring Major, where they beat Falcons 4-0 in the grand finale. Joyo, Vatira and Rise – key to their fortunes in recent times – are all in excellent form.
One of the major reasons why the punters are going big on them is their propensity to perform in big games and outdo big teams. They beat Karmine Corp in the lower-bracket semifinals of the Spring Major despite dropping the first game. The result was a revenge of sorts after going down to them earlier, before overcoming Falcons in two sets in the final.
Coming at the time it did – they were staring at an exit – has done wonders for their confidence and has boosted their odds of a repeat here. This surge in success has come under new ownership and branding for the former Team Queso roster.
The General RNG (+475)
Only time will tell if the pressure of playing in front of their home fans will galvanize them or pressurize them, but on form, RNG have some catching up to do. That they have such high odds placing them in the favorites category is because of their proven track record and their “been there, done that” billing when under pressure.
Their experienced veteran GarrettG has been key to their success and will once again have his task cut out. They haven’t lived up to their expectations lately, tailing off after a decent start at the Mobile 1 Mountain Classics Final. The Winter Majors were an even bigger disappointment, while they didn’t even qualify for the Spring Major.
There’s plenty to prove and they will need to channel the recent hurt of being far from their best. They have the pedigree and class, but need a new direction, and are primed to start a new journey.
G2 (+550)
G2 Esports winning the Winter Major in LA helped them carve a legacy within Rocket League. That title was orchestrated by veterans JKnaps and Chicago, who have worn the badge of the Samurai on their hearts and sleeves for many years now.
The addition of an Atomic bomb has added a new dimension to their arsenal and has given the heft to win international titles for fun. It’s easy to be swayed by the success, but amid the glory it must not be forgotten that this team has been rebuilding for a while to make them one of the best teams.
They have had to contend with the retirement of Rizzo and teething issues with rising star Dreaz that led to a series of inconsistent results. But all that is in the past. They’re up and running once again and ready to challenge the very best.
Dark Horses To Win The RLCS Championship
Falcons (+550)
Falcons acquired the roster of Sandrock Gaming three months ago and their results haven’t quite been the same. They have gone from being a middling team to one that challenges the top teams. Their acquired roster of trk511, Ahmad and KhaliD have been key to a dominating run that helped win all three RLCS Spring events, as well as a second-place finish at the Spring Major, where they were handed a thrashing by Moist Esports.
In many ways, Falcons have gotten to where other teams from Saudi Arabia haven’t been able to, and in that sense they’re trendsetters already. A title to boot will set them up nicely in terms of better visibility, exposure and the big bucks.
