RLCS 2027 to Expand Partnered Teams and Pause for UE6, It’s Claimed
The 2027 Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) season will undergo significant structural changes as part of a planned transition period, primarily driven by the long-anticipated upgrade of Rocket League’s engine from Unreal Engine 3 to Unreal Engine 6—a major shift after 11 years on UE3.
According to reports from Sheep Esports, Psyonix and Epic Games have structured 2027 as a transition year featuring two major developments: an expansion of partnered teams competing in the RLCS, and a mid-season break timed to accommodate the game’s engine migration to UE6. This mid-season pause signals organizers’ expectations that the upgrade will meaningfully impact the competitive environment and team preparation.
The RLCS Kick-Off event, which traditionally opens each season, is expected to take a new format for 2027. The event is scheduled for December in London’s Copper Box arena, a venue that has previously hosted multiple RLCS events. This represents a departure from traditional Kick-Off structures and underscores the competitive scene’s restructuring as Rocket League undergoes its most significant technical update in over a decade.
The engine upgrade to UE6 represents critical infrastructure modernization for Rocket League, which has operated on the aging Unreal Engine 3 since its 2015 launch. By classifying 2027 as a transition year, Psyonix and Epic Games are signaling their anticipation that the engine migration will require special accommodations for the competitive ecosystem.