Nissan Classic Preview

The RLCS concludes the regular season in North America with the Nissan Classic, the third and final regional event of the Spring Split. G2 Esports currently reign supreme in North America, having won both events this split. They’ll look to complete the regional sweep for the Spring Split, something which has never been done in North America or Europe. G2 Esports has also already secured their spot at the Spring Major in London, but eleven other teams are still alive for the four remaining spots. Every matchup is going to matter in the race for London, and even for the World Championship in Dallas.

(image courtesy of Rocket League Esports)

Major Lives on the Line

Eleven teams remain in the race for London, but only five teams control their destiny. Version1 is in the best position, as finishing in the top six will send them through to London. They’ve matched or bettered that result in both events so far this split, so they will be through barring a meltdown. Team Envy, Spacestation Gaming, and FaZe Clan can all clinch their spots in London by finishing in the top three of the Nissan Classic. The General NRG can only clinch their spot if they win the Nissan Classic. The team has been dominant all season, but the last three events they’ve finished no higher than fourth. If they can only match that result this time out, they’ll need some serious help to make it to London.

Complexity Gaming, Ghost Gaming, and Susquehanna Soniqs will all be eliminated if they finish outside the top four of the Nissan Classic. With a top four finish, even a win, they would all need help to qualify for London. Behind those three teams are Rogue, Oxygen Esports, and Akrew. Those three would all be eliminated with finishes of fourth, third, and second or worse, respectively. Even wins would require a tremendous amount of help, so these three teams are all essentially out of the running.

The Bracket

G2 Esports vs. Randoms

G2 Esports may have already secured their spots in London and Dallas, but there’s one more milestone they’re looking at. If they can outperform FaZe Clan by 90 points, or if either The General NRG or FaZe Clan miss out on the Spring Major, G2 Esports will secure a berth directly to the World Championship Main Event. They would avoid a Swiss Stage with 16 of the world’s best Rocket League teams, and be immediate contenders to win it all. Their first matchup of the Nissan Classic will be Randoms, who are competing in their second event of the season. The first time out, they made it all the way to top eight, beating The General NRG and Rogue.

Ghost Gaming vs. Rogue

Ghost Gaming and Rogue are both still alive and kicking for London, but neither wants to make a long lower bracket run. Winning this early series will be crucial for either team’s hopes of the Spring Major. The two rosters matched up in the closed qualifier, where Ghost Gaming took a hard fought 3-1 series win.

FaZe Clan vs. Pittsburgh Knights

FaZe Clan enters this matchup with high stakes on the line, as they’re desperate to qualify for London. They would join G2 Esports as the second team from North America to qualify for all three Majors, and The General NRG could also join that illustrious list. FaZe Clan can also qualify directly to the World Championship Main Event, but they need some serious help. Pittsburgh Knights are playing in their second consecutive event as a roster. Last time out, they took a hard five game loss to G2 Esports, before beating Oxygen Esports. They then matched up against FaZe Clan, where FaZe Clan took a 3-0 sweep.

The General NRG vs. Akrew

The General NRG need a strong performance in this event to qualify for London, and can also qualify for the World Championship Main Event, but their first matchup will be a difficult one. Akrew reached the top eight last time they played in an RLCS event, taking down Fall Major qualifiers Complextiy Gaming to get there. Akrew are still in contention for the Spring Major, and even the World Championship, and are one of the more capable rosters in the event. The General NRG won’t have it easy in their quest to bounce back and make it to London.

Spacestation Gaming vs. Shopify Rebellion

Spacestation Gaming are nearing a berth in their second consecutive Major, but fell short last time out by dropping to a twelfth place finish. They need to bounce back, as a top three finish would qualify them for London. They can also secure their spot in Dallas, but would need help to do it no matter what. Their first opponents are Shopify Rebellion, who missed out on the first two events of the Spring Split after making it to every event of the Winter Split.

Complexity Gaming vs. Susquehanna Soniqs

Complexity Gaming have fought back after qualifying for the Fall Major, as they struggled to find their form after the Fall Split. They’re still in contention to qualify for the World Championship, however, and would almost surely do so if they can qualify for London. They realistically need a win and some help, and their first opponents are Susquehanna Soniqs. The Soniqs have only missed out on one event the entire season, but have struggled to put together a successful RLCS run. The two met last time out, with Complexity Gaming taking a win via reverse sweep.

Version1 vs. Stromboli

Version1 have been one of North America’s most successful teams over the last three events, and they have the #3 seed in the Nissan Classic as a result, their highest seeding all season. If they can win their first two matches, they’ll have qualified for London, and most likely Dallas. First on their docket is Stromboli, who will be playing in their sixth event of the season. They failed to win a series in their previous two events.

Team Envy vs. Oxygen Esports

Team Envy currently sit third in the North American Spring rankings, and have good prospects of making it to their second Major of the season. A top three finish would secure it, but even a worse result should still suffice, as long as the bracket breaks their way. Their first matchup is Oxygen Esports, who were the first team out of the Winter Major. They currently stand eighth in North America, so nothing short of a miracle run through the Nissan Classic and Spring Major would qualify them for Dallas. The two teams met in the Verizon 5G Ultra Cup, where Team Envy took a hard fought 3-2 series win.

Make sure to tune into the Nissan Classic this weekend, beginning at 1pm EDT (7pm CEST) Friday - Sunday. With Spring Major and World Championship spots on the line, every match matters. Those spots will all be decided this weekend, except for some spots in Dalls which will be decided in the Spring Major. Team streams on Friday will supplement the main channel, which covers every match all weekend long at twitch.tv/rocketleague.