We just wrapped up our Fall Split Regional Majors, and if you thought Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) X was letting off the boost—boy, were you wrong. It's time for us to flip the page and dive into the next chapter of RLCS X.

Introducing the RLCS X Winter Split!

New Split, New Format, New Schedule

RLCS X seeks to test the best players in the world with new and evolving challenges throughout the season, which is why the Winter Split brings a new format with it. We've retired the 32-team Swiss format of the Fall Split and are going with a 24-team double-elimination format for the Winter Split. Slimming the field from 32 to 24 teams means the pressure is on and a larger cut of the prizing and points is on the line in every match. 

Let's go over the basics of the double-elimination format:

  • The 10 teams from last season that were auto-qualified for Regionals still auto-qualify for Regionals this Split. This is the final Split for that auto-qualification in RLCS X. In addition, the two highest points-earners that do not already have auto-qualification will be auto-qualified.

  • The remaining 12 open spots will be filled by Open Qualifiers.

  • Teams will be seeded into a 24-team, double-elimination bracket.

  • Win and move on, lose twice and you're out.

  • In the Grand Finals, the team coming from the Lower Bracket (this is where teams go if they've lost a match), will need to Bracket Reset their opponents coming from the Upper Bracket if they want to claim victory.

It's that simple: Avoid losing twice and you've got a shot at the crown. Keep in mind that just like the last Split, each Regional event in North America and Europe will feature $100,000 in prizing per event. 

Check out the new points and prizing below:

  • 1st Place: 401 points, $30,000

  • 2nd Place: 300 points, $15,000

  • 3rd Place: 250 points, $10,000

  • 4th Place: 200 points, $7,000

  • T-5th Place (Two teams): 160 points each, $5,000 each 

  • T-7th Place (Two teams): 130 points each, $3,000 each

  • T-9th Place (Four teams): 100 points each, $2,000 each

  • T-13th Place (Four teams): 70 points each, $1,500 each

  • T-17th Place (Eight teams): 40 points each, $1,000 each

Additionally, the Winter Split will have a slightly modified schedule to account for the holidays. Check out the Winter Split schedule:

Europe

  • Regional #1: November 12, 13, 14, 15

  • Regional #2: December 3, 4, 5, 6

  • Regional #3: January 9, 10, 16, 17

North America

  • Regional #1: November 21, 22, 28, 29

  • Regional #2: December 10, 11, 12, 13

  • Regional #3: January 23, 24, 30, 31

Updating RLCS: The Grid

RLCS: The Grid had an awesome inaugural Split. As an elite, weekly league, it presented unique ways for fans to engage with their favorite teams and players. That's why we're changing and leveling up The Grid for the Winter Split.

First up, we're changing the format of The Grid. Take a quick look at how the format will look:

  • The sixteen qualified teams (in both Europe and North America) will be divided into four groups of four teams.

  • On Day 1, teams will play through a round-robin Group Stage and matches will be played for seeding purposes and points (no teams are eliminated on Day 1).

  • On Day 2, teams will be seeded into a sixteen-team, single-elimination bracket.

  • The winner of that bracket will be crowned that week's champion of The Grid!

With the new format, only one region will play per week of The Grid. This means that each region will have four tournaments in the Winter Split. Check out the new schedule below:

Europe

  • The Grid #1: November 26, 27

  • The Grid #2: December 8, 9

  • The Grid #3: January 2, 3

  • The Grid #4: January 21, 22

North America

  • The Grid #1: November 12, 13

  • The Grid #2: December 1, 2

  • The Grid #3: January 7, 8

  • The Grid #4: January 14, 15

More On the Way

We're just getting started with the Winter Split and there's news, content, and more all on the way soon. Make sure to follow us on Twitter to keep up with everything Rocket League Esports. Tune in on Twitch and YouTube as we kick off the Winter Split on November 7 at 8 a.m. PST (3 p.m. UTC), with Europe's first Winter Split Regional event. We'll see you then!