World Championship Wildcard Preview
The biggest tournament in RLCS history is set to begin tomorrow, with 24 teams competing for World Championship gloryand a prize pool of over $2 million. The first World Championship in nearly three years is split into two stages, the Wildcard and the Main Event. The Wildcard is a 16-team Swiss bracket, where three wins will qualify a team for the Main Event and three losses will send a team home. Three teams from Europe and North America, two from Oceania, South America, Middle East & North Africa (MENA), and Sub-Saharan Africa, and one each from Asia-Pacific North and South (APAC) will be competing.
The matchups were selected in a draft, with eight higher-seeded teams drafting from a pool of eight lower-seeded teams. The teams on the top/left side of each matchup selected the teams on the bottom/right, with Version1 drafting first and Tokyo Verdy Esports (now Senbei Strikers) drafting last. The draft order was determined by the finish of the teams placed 9th-16th in the Worlds Regions Spots standings. (The top North American team in that group finished 9th, so Version1 drafted first as the top North American team outside of the Main Event. The next best team was an Oceanic team, so Renegades drafted next, etc.)
The First Round Matchups
(image courtesy of Rocket League Esports)
Version1 vs Orlando Pirates Exdee
Version1’s selection in the draft was Orlando Pirates Exdee, the number one seed from Sub-Saharan Africa. It was a surprise to see them draft the top seed from the region instead of the second seed, but Orlando Pirates Exdee did finish the season on a downwards trend. They finished second in the Spring Split, behind Bravado Gaming who took the #2 seed. Bravado Gaming also won the final two regionals.
The Orlando Pirates Exdee roster has no international RLCS experience, but did participate in the recent Gamers8 LAN. They finished tied-last in the event, so that may be among Version1’s motivations. Sub-Saharan Africa’s first ever international matchup will be a difficult one, as Version1 placed third at the Spring Major and are considered one of the top contenders in Dallas.
Renegades vs Bravado Gaming
Renegades drafted next, and they selected the second seed from Sub-Saharan Africa. Bravado Gaming have the least experience of any team in Dallas, despite their strong finish to the season. Renegades are one of the most experienced teams in the competition, and took the top seed from Oceania, one of the longest standing regions in the RLCS. The team, which appeared in the Fall and Winter Majors, will be banking on that experience to see them through to the second round of the Swiss Stage as winners.
Dignitas vs Gaimin Gladiators
Dignitas selected next, and picked the team from the last remaining region to never win an international RLCS game - APAC South. Gaimin Gladiators dominated their region throughout the season, winning eight of the nine events, but only won a single APAC Qualifier. They made it to the Spring Major, where they went 0-6 against G2 Esports and FURIA.
Dignitas opened the season as top contenders, winning one of the first three events of the season and qualifying for the Fall and Winter Majors. They struggled in the Spring Split, however, failing to qualify for the Spring Major and finishing tenth in the European standings. They’ll need to find their early season form again to beat Gaimin Gladiators, let alone make it out of the Wildcard.
Spacestation Gaming vs The Club
Spacestation Gaming selected next, and opted for South American team The Club. Spacestation Gaming were the top team in North America to not win an event this season, and arguably the best team in the world to fit that criteria. They finished third at the Winter Major and sixth at the Spring Major, but lost to the two Grand Finalists in each of those two events. If they can close out a tight series against the world’s top teams, they can win it all in Dallas.
Their opponents, The Club, participated in the Fall Major under the banner of Era Eternity, but only one player remains from that team, Aztromick. Neither of his new teammates in Lostt or kv1 have international experience, but both are young and talented. If they can overcome the pressure, they’re more than capable of beating Spacestation Gaming and making it through the Wildcard.
Karmine Corp vs 01 Esports
Karmine Corp struggled to start the season, missing out on both the Fall and Winter Majors despite being favored to contend. They made a roster change before the Spring Split, however, bringing in noly to replace Stake. noly made an immediate impact on the roster, leading them to Spring Major qualification and a top four finish in that event. Karmine Corp have arrived on the world stage, and are contenders in Dallas if they can repeat their Spring Major performance.
Their draft pick is 01 Esports, a team from MENA with limited international experience. The roster finished third in the region, but did not win a single event. They did participate in the Gamers8 LAN, however, where they put in an incredible performance. They won seven straight games at 3v3 at one point, including going 6-0 against RLCS competition in Dignitas and Renegades. If they can repeat that form, their lack of experience won’t matter and they can push through both Karmine Corp and the Wildcard.
Pioneers vs Veloce Esports
Pioneers finished as the second seed in Oceania this season, but had the best performances of any team from the region. They arrived in the Winter Major as the youngest team to ever compete in an RLCS LAN, but nearly upset the heavily-favored Team BDS and proved they could contend with even the world’s best. In the Spring Major, they got Oceania’s top seed, and swept Team BDS before losing to eventual champions Moist Esports.
Pioneers selected Veloce Esports with their pick, the #2 seed from MENA. Veloce Esports were consistent and strong throughout the season, but did not win an event as Team Falcons won all nine. Veloce Esports’ roster did participate in the Gamers8 LAN, but each player was on a separate team. They have no international experience together, which could give the edge to Pioneers.
Team Secret vs SMPR Esports
Team Secret were second best in South America this season, behind only top international contenders FURIA. They missed out on Fall Major qualification by a single point, but did reach the Winter and Spring Majors. Team Secret went winless in the Winter Major, but put in a strong showing in the Spring Major in sweeping Team BDS and finishing in the top twelve. The roster is still incredibly young, and if they can build on their experience they have the talent to make it out of the Wildcard.
Their selection in the draft was SMPR Esports, the last team in from Europe. SMPR Esports started the season off strong, finishing fourth in the Fall Major. They fell off, however, struggling in the Winter Split and failing to qualify for the Major. They then loaned star player archie to Endpoint CeX, replacing him with Exotiik. The new trio finished tied eighth in the Spring Split, and could struggle to escape the Wildcard if that form continues.
Senbei Strikers vs OpTic Gaming
Senbei Strikers (formerly Tokyo Verdy Esports) had the final pick of the draft, but they were stuck in their matchup against OpTic Gaming. Senbei Strikers qualified for the Fall Major, and became the first team from APAC to ever play in an international RLCS competition. They went winless, but still had a groundbreaking performance for their region and their continent. Only one player, ReaLize, remains from that team, and he’ll be counted on to lead the team in Dallas.
Their opponents, OpTic Gaming, also only have one player on the starting roster from the Fall Major - mist. Their other two players do have international experience, however, and the team did participate with their current roster in the Spring Major. They reached the top eight of that event before bowing out to FURIA, but gained valuable experience together under pressure. That experience may give them the edge against Senbei Strikers, and to escape the Wildcard.
The biggest and best tournament in RLCS history begins tomorrow, so make sure to stay up to date with Shift for all of your Rocket League news and World Championship results! Also keep an eye out for more content throughout the tournament!
