Spring Major Preview

The RLCS 2021-22 season began on October 15th, 2021. Now, 257 days and 77 events later (including Sub-Saharan Africa events and APAC qualifiers), the last event of the circuit system begins. The regular season is over, but sixteen teams will be competing in the Spring Major. Some of them will be playing for seeding, each region’s teams will be playing to earn more spots for their region, and some teams will be playing for their lives. The RLCS is returning to the Copper Box Arena in London, England, for the first time since the Season 5 World Championship.

The tournament will be a true double elimination bracket, made up of five teams from each Europe and North America, two each from South America and Oceania, and one each from Asia-Pacific and Middle East & North Africa. Last time out, G2 Esports won the Winter Major in Los Angeles, overcoming the current Moist Esports roster in six games in the Grand Final. Team BDS won the Fall Major in Stockholm, but that event was played without a crowd, and Team BDS had Marc_by_8. on the roster instead of current superstar Seikoo.

The Bracket

(note: Envy is now OpTic Gaming - image courtesy of Rocket League Esports)

G2 Esports vs. Gaimin Gladiators

G2 Esports are reigning international champions, and were one goal away from winning all three regionals in the Spring Split for North America. They are the most proven team at the event, one of six to qualify for all three Majors, and the #1 overall seed by virtue of their win in Los Angeles and taking North America’s #1 seed. Gaimin Gladiators are the first team from APAC-South to qualify for an international event, and will be looking to become the first APAC team to ever win a series at an RLCS LAN event. The two teams before them won only one combined game in six series, going 1-18 overall.

FURIA Esports vs. Karmine Corp

FURIA Esports put together the best run ever by a South American team at the Winter Major, winning their group and taking a top six finish. A similar performance could see them auto-qualify for the World Championship Main Event, and send a third South American team to Dallas in August. Karmine Corp are Europe’s #4 seed, but have been greatly improved this split by the addition of noly, who led the roster to their first Major event of the season. Karmine Corp could clinch a spot at the World Championship with a top four finish, or other scenarios breaking in their favor.

Version1 vs. Endpoint CeX

Version1 started out the Winter Major incredibly hot, winning their first three series in dominating fashion before dropping two straight to finish top six. Another fast start will be crucial, as a win in this series would qualify Version1 for the World Championship. Endpoint CeX are another of the six teams to qualify for all three Majors, and have already secured a spot in Dallas. If Europe sends three or more teams directly to the World Championship Main Event, Endpoint CeX will be one of them. This is their first Major with archie replacing Seikoo, but archie was a standout performer for SMPR Esports at the Fall Major.

Moist Esports vs. OpTic Gaming

Moist Esports have qualified for six of the last seven grand finals possible, including taking second place at the Winter Major. They broke up Team BDS’ bid for a regional sweep by dominating the third event in Europe, and will be trying to do what they could not in the Winter Major and take a win. OpTic Gaming will be playing for their World Championship lives in this event, but can only clinch of their own accord with a top two finish. Otherwise, they’ll be hoping North America sends at least three teams to the Main Event.

Team BDS vs. Team Secret

Team BDS are considered by many to be the favorites for this event, but their current roster has never played a LAN event together. All three players have played in both LAN events this season, however, and are plenty experienced. Team BDS have also qualified for all three Majors this season. If Team BDS finish in the top eight of the event, they’ll be Europe’s #1 seed, and likely a top two seed overall at the World Championship. Team Secret have clinched a spot in Dallas already, and will be South America’s #2 seed unless they win the event and FURIA Esports fails to win a series. They failed to win a series last time out at the Winter Major, but gave both Team BDS and G2 Esports difficult showings.

Spacestation Gaming vs. Pioneers

Another rematch from the Winter Major, Spacestation Gaming and Pioneers will meet in the group stage. Spacestation Gaming won last time out, on their way to a top three finish at the event. Now, with more experience for their young superstar Daniel, they’re hoping for a repeat performance at minimum. Pioneers finished top twelve in Los Angeles, but nearly reverse swept Team BDS to play in front of the crowd. This time, they dominated Oceania, and have emerged as perhaps Oceania’s best team ever at a LAN event. They have a chance to make a run, and will clinch a spot in Dallas with a top eight finish.

FaZe Clan vs. PWR

FaZe Clan finished fourth at the Winter Major as their stretch of not making a grand finals had continued, but they finally broke through in the final event of the regular season, winning the event. Now that the pressure of missing out on top two has been lifted, FaZe Clan will be among the top contenders to win the Spring Major, having qualified for all three Majors this season. Their first opponents are PWR, who qualified for the Fall Major but missed out in the Winter. Winning a single series would clinch a spot at the World Championship for PWR.

Team Liquid vs. Team Falcons

The marquee matchup of the first round, Europe’s young prodigies Team Liquid will take on the consensus best minor region team in Team Falcons. Team Liquid only began competing in the RLCS this split, so their chances to make the World Championship are essentially non-existent (though it is possible), so this will likely be the end of their season. Team Falcons are among the top contenders to win the event, but this will be their first RLCS LAN together, as oKhalid missed out on the Fall Major and the whole team was unable to participate in the Winter Major.

The Spring Major is the best, most impressive culmination of talent in RLCS history. All sixteen teams are incredibly strong, each with a chance to win it all. The journey begins Wednesday, June 29th, at 4pm GMT+1 and 11pm EST. Matches will be on twitch.tv/rocketleague all week long.