Those who read my previous Rocket League article on GTPlanet will know that I was particularly eager for the RLCS finals to be hosted in the UK. It turns out, Psyonix must have read the article because not long after, it was announced that the Esports series would arrive in London for its grand finale. Keeping to my word, I booked up flights, tickets and a hotel to stay for the weekend. Just an Esports greenie this time last year, I was now going to attend a live event. How fast time flies.



The Stage is Set

Psyonix had chosen the Copperbox Arena for the Rocket League Championship Series grand finals. Avid Gran Turismo fans will recognize the venue as this was also where GT Sport was shown to the public for the first time. Anyone else will recognize the venue as one of the Olympic arenas used during London 2012. The use of an arena is actually a first for RLCS, which usually opted for the Esports-typical theater set-up. For the first time, players would be surrounded by fans at every angle. No pressure for the players, then.



Competition takes place over three days, starting on Friday June 8 and coming to a close on the Sunday. Utilizing a double elimination bracket setup, players would be eliminated if they suffered two losses throughout the whole championship. This is actually very important for when we deep dive into the story of the finals, so keep this in mind. Four teams from the EU, four teams from the US and a meager two from Oceania make up the best 10 RL teams on the planet.



With a brilliant venue chosen and many tickets sold, the championships were ready to begin.







Day 1: The Beginning of Madness

After four hours of travelling, I arrived at the Copper Box venue just in time for Game 1. The championships were being kicked off with a bit of a grudge match between Evil Geniuses and Chiefs Esports Club. Before the tournament kicked off, there was a bit of tit for tat between players that was later written off as banter. Despite this, it gave the match a bit more meaning and the Chiefs rose to the occasion. OCE hasn’t been one of the strongest regions for Rocket League by comparison the EU and US. Therefore, it was expected that Evil Geniuses would comfortably win.

https://youtu.be/lBU0UTPeXA4





The Chiefs didn’t read the memo. An outstanding five game series went the distance as the Aussie team prevailed 3-2. It was a humbling moment for the NA representatives but a win that set the theme that the crowd would follow for the rest of the tournament.



Speaking of the attendees, Day 1 didn’t really have too much of an atmosphere. Some chanting was apparent but it still felt like everyone there was trying to assert what was an appropriate response to what they were watching. Although, it’s also important to remember that hosting Day 1 on the Friday meant that a lot of those with tickets would have been working or had other commitments and therefore couldn’t attend. There was still quite a few people in attendance but I did start to wonder if the move away from the US was a smart one.



The other matches that day didn’t have the excitement of EG vs Chiefs. That match was quickly followed up by fellow OCE region finalists Tainted Minds, who would get sweeped 3-0 by EU powerhouses Complexity. In Complexity’s squad is the ever-incredible Al0t, who always puts on a show. The Swede would be at home on most team’s rosters and combined with Mognus and Metsanauris, Complexity had little issue making a statement early on.



Unfortunately, no real intense matches would follow to raise crowd spirits. Chiefs triumphant victory was followed by a sniping 3-1 loss to defending champions Dignitas. However, the final match of the day would introduce G2 – a huge fan favorite in the RLCS community. The NA squad would face off against Complexity, hot on the heels of a romping victory over Tainted Minds. G2 won the NA playoffs and entered the championship as the number 1 seed, as you can imagine expectations were high. Once again though, an underdog refused to conform to the expected result.



Complexity swiftly pushed to a 3-0 victory, stunning the crowd in the process. G2 would be forced to try and make a run through the lower bracket on Day 2 for a shot at glory.



Results:



Evil Geniuses – 2 Chiefs – 3

Complexity – 3 Tainted Minds – 0

NRG Esports – 3 Team Envy – 1

Renault Vitality – 0 Cloud 9 – 3

Dignitas – 3 Chiefs Esports Club – 1

G2 Esports – 0 Complexity – 3





Day 2: It All Kicks Off

Arriving at the Copper Box on Saturday felt different immediately. Half an hour before the stream officially starts, the place was pretty much packed out with fans and the general atmosphere was buzzing. I could tell at this moment, RLCS was about to transcend further than I could have ever anticipated.



Game 1 hosted the heavily enticing NRG Esports versus Dignitas match-up that could easily end up as the Grand Final. Despite G2 being the top NA side, many believe that NRG actually have the most talented squad. Naturally, such an early match between the world champions and one of NA’s best would really get the crowd going. The atmosphere was electric before kick off, the crowd brought their A-game with new chants creating a more intensive arena experience. NRG clearly channelled the hype into their play, swaggering to a 3-1 win and pushing Dignitas to the lower bracket.



For references sake, North America hasn’t won a world finals in a long time. EU’s dominance has been exemplified by teams like Dignitas (previously known as Gale Force Esports) with the phenomenal Turbopolsa at the heart of the operation. A 2-time world champion, he knows how to deal with the pressure and deliver fantastic performances. This time around though, the NA hype was starting to build with a victory that showed the region meant business.



EU would return the favor though with an outstanding Complexity performance ousting Cloud 9 3-1. C9 had been struggling in the final weeks of league play and many hoped they’d turn it around in time for the worlds. A loss forced those feelings of doubt to arise again. If it was to be C9’s year, there would have to be a fantastic run of form in the lower bracket.



This win from Complexity sent the crowd into a furore, part patriotism and part amazement…one player would be overwhelmed with the show of total support. It was the first real sign that this year’s RLCS was about to blow away everything that had come before it.



https://twitter.com/RLEsports/status/1005464480602640392



You could visually see the American casting team were blown away by the crowd. When it comes to atmosphere, nothing really matches what Europe is capable of. Years and years of footballing love create the most authentic fans of pretty much anything here. That’s not to say those across the pond can’t create good chants but there’s really no comparison. We live and breathe sport over here, it’s in our blood, our DNA and family trees. That level of passion was now being transported to an Esport that has so much in common with Football. This is what ultimately ended up driving the crowd into madness.



The next lineup of games would lead to teams being eliminated from the lower bracket and leaving the tournament entirely. Renault Vitality crashed out to Evil Geniuses 3-2, OCE would be reduced to one team after Tainted Minds got beaten by Team Envy 3-2 and then the biggest shock of them all arrived. Shook by a G2 defeat the day before, the crowd anticipated a storm coming with the NA champs looking to right the ship. Evil Geniuses had other plans.



An incredibly gritty performance led by the effervescent RL veteran Klassux and an audacious crowd earned a 3-2 victory. G2 Esports would leave the competition without a win. Evil Geniuses would carry the torch lit by a crushing defeat to Chiefs on Day 1 to the final day of competition. Storylines were starting to form and it wasn’t enough to simply show up and play your A-game. The need for a drive and an ability to harness the crowd atmosphere was quickly becoming the key to victory. Much like the Chiefs stole the limelight from EG on day 1, they would do the same once more on the final game of the day.



The Chiefs would lock horns with Team Envy to continue their RLCS adventure. Ousting both EU and NA representatives, the crowd had unanimously decided that the plucky team from OCE were the true stars of the tournament by chanting, shouting and celebrating anything to do with the team. After Envy had sent their OCE counterparts home, the stage was set for the Aussie killers to rise again. Chiefs didn’t agree.



An incredible 3-0 sweep sent Chiefs Esports Club into day 3 in uproarious fashion. Team member Jake was quick to point out the one key player in the team helping them make it this far.



https://twitter.com/RLEsports/status/1005533110358900739



It was a day of drama, excitement and most importantly good Rocket League. Finals day would see the remaining teams duke it out for the ultimate prize in Rocket League Esports. Turbopolsa would be aiming for the mythical ‘3 time’ by winning three RLCS titles, Chiefs Esports would aim to keep the Cinderella story going and NRG would aim to finish off an insane championship with the title itself as NA’s biggest contender.



Results:



NRG Esports – 3 Dignitas – 1

Cloud 9 – 1 Complexity – 3

Renault Vitality* – 2 Evil Geniuses – 3

Tainted Minds* – 2 Team Envy – 3

G2 Esports* – 2 Evil Geniuses – 3

Chiefs Esports Club 3 – Team Envy* 0

(* = Eliminated)







Day 3: The Best Finale in Esports

Nothing could have prepared me for Day 3 of the RLCS world finals. Not the breakfast in the hotel, not the (now expected) crowd excitement and not the lovely London sun. The competition and crowd reactions would go down in Rocket League history, flexing the muscle that the self-proclaimed ‘most exciting game in Esports’ can provide.



Known affectionately as ‘Championship Sunday’, the crowd wasted no time in upping the ante from the previous days. Mexican waves, new chants and even signs made the experience more fun than the days before it – all before a match had even kicked off. Dignitas set the tone for the day by sweeping over-achievers Evil Geniuses aside with a 3-0 win. They meant business and taking crowd favorites out the way was simply part of the master plan. The world champions would have to complete an incredible lower bracket run and subsequent upper bracket reset (more on that later) to deliver a 3rd championship to Turbopolsa.



Despite the heroics of the Chiefs up until this point, a match-up with an incensed Cloud 9 ensured that the NA team would be progressing in an uproarious 3-0 victory. It was a heartbreaking moment for fans and Chiefs players alike but even still, the crowd used that heartbreak to show eternal support to the Chiefs. For that weekend, we were Chiefs fanatics and wouldn’t have it any other way. Cloud 9 were just a step too far for the Aussies, no shame involved. Surviving until day 3 showed a momentum shift in the world of Rocket League, OCE are here to stay. No longer Day 1 fodder.



Cloud 9 and Dignitas would then meet each other to decide who would progress to the lower bracket final. Having both come off sweeps of previous opponents, it was fitting that Dignitas would then sweep Cloud 9. Another NA team bites the dust and another ridiculously strong showing for Dignitas who really were looking a cut above their fellow teams. Naturally, the crowd shifted their interests to the EU juggernaught hoping to push them to the title.



https://twitter.com/RLEsports/status/1005851514341150721



An upper bracket showdown between Complexity and NRG Esports would decide who would secure their place in the Grand Final. Complexity were the shock of the tournament, performing well above what many people expected. NRG and their 15 year old rookie JSTN were really lighting up the finals. It would be silly to predict who would win this one and even sillier to suggest a sweep.



Even still, NRG really did prove that they weren’t messing around. A frightening 4-0 sweep sent Complexity down to the lower bracket final and NRG into the Grand Final. NRG’s road here only consisted of two losses and it was looking like it really could become NA’s year.



The EU’s top two teams would have to fight each other to secure a place in the Grand Final. Dignitas had really shown their worth by demolishing its way through the lower bracket after an early setback but the onus was on Complexity to turn around the funk that had led to the humbling by NRG.



Complexity sped ahead to a 2-1 series lead with Mognus, Metsanauris and Al0t pushing Dignitas’ Turbopolsa, Kaydop and ViolentPanda to their very best. This was a showdown between two teams who really wanted to make amends for their respective defeats to NRG earlier in the tournament. Still though, when things get down to business, you simply can’t stop the Kaydop







Dignitas had fought through to another world championship final the hard way to set up a rematch with NRG Esports, who were yet to throw a series themselves. This set up an interesting scenario that would require Dignitas to make history and perform a Bracket Reset. Effectively, this meant that due to the double elimination format, Dignitas would have to beat NRG not once but twice to take home another title. Against a team as in-form as NRG this sounded utterly ridiculous. It’s a good thing that Dignitas live for the ridiculous, then.



Series one was an absolutely dominating display for Dignitas. There was no time wasted as the EU team slammed a 4-1 victory down the throats of NRG. The crowd were baffled. NRG had looked infallible to this point but Dignitas had made them look incredibly regular. Hotshot Jstn was being totally mitigated by the three players of the EU squad, breaking NRG down at its foundations. Fireburner and GarrettG weren’t able to lift NRG at all as the rookie sensation started to fade. The stage was set for the return of NA or Turbopolsa completing the ‘3 time’ as the Bracket Reset series loomed.







The 7 Game Thriller

After a small 20 minute intermission, the final series of the RLCS World Championships would kick off. The atmosphere was electric with the crowd, players and casters on the tipping point, unsure of what mayhem would come next.



The intensity of the series actually made the crowd more engrossed than ever. Broadcasters not currently presenting and pros no longer competing joined what would be known as ‘#Team104’, a particular section of the crowd who started to lead the chants and create the most creative songs. It really was a sight to behold. With the fans ready and the players prepped, the final series would begin.



Dignitas wasted no time blasting themselves into a 2-0 lead. NRG still seemed to be struggling to deal with the EU team, perhaps affected by the series loss under an hour previously. That being said, they mustered up the strength to force the series to 2-1 with a very nice victory. JSTN, Fireburner and GarrettG couldn’t have looked more relieved to stop the rot that was practically gifting the title to Dignitas.



However, game 4 pushed another set back to NRG as they were shutout 2-0 putting Dignitas one win away from the title and with three games to pull it off. It looked all but certain that the collapse by NRG was just too much to overcome and there was nothing that could be done to put pressure on Dignitas. As was often the case this RLCS season, NRG refused to conform to the script.



The double whammy of two convincing (5-2, 3-0) victories for NRG suddenly shifted momentum again and now Dignitas looked like they were on the ropes. 15 year old rookie JSTN led the charge with increasingly creative play and the high press of the NA side was causing grief for Europe’s premier team. Fittingly, Game 7 would arrive and deliver the perfect finale to an incredible championship.



Dignitas found their level and established dominance once more, forcing NRG to deliver everything they had. Locked at 2-2 with under 10 seconds left, Dignitas found a way to deliver a knockout blow that would hand them another championship.



Well, that would be the case if the story wasn’t rewritten again for the most incredible, insane Esports final that had ever come before it. With the ball travelling in the direction of Dignitas’ goal with zero seconds remaining. All the ball had to do was touch the ground and it would all be over. Gravity doesn’t budge for anyone but JSTN doesn’t play by the petty rules of physics. After an incredible 50/50 win by Fireburner, 15 year old rookie JSTN boosted into the air and delivered the goal that sent the Copper Box into bedlam. A zero second equaliser in Game 7 of the bracket reset finals at RLCS. This is Rocket League.



https://youtu.be/R4lpFw6Ke5Q



NRG couldn’t even believe what had happened. The pressure cooker that was the Copper Box had well and truly exploded and it wasn’t even over yet as the RLCS Season 5 title would be decided in Overtime of Game 7. Fitting, to say the least.



Those looking for a fairy tale NRG win will be disappointed because the absolute class and cool determination of Dignitas shown through. Where NRG looked dumbfounded at their own goal, Turbopolsa and company didn’t even flinch. They’ve got the experience to expect anything and everything to happen, young JSTN’s heroics wouldn’t derail their fate. 24 seconds into Overtime, a simple goal secured the win. Nothing fancy, just what was needed. Like that, Dignitas were the champions of RLCS and Turbopolsa hoisted his 3rd title.



https://youtu.be/ny3yw4YVIhU



Many are still speculating on the wrong decisions that led to NRG conceding the goal that won the championship, especially given how normal it was in nature compared to everything that had come before. I find this a bit disingenuous because all great finals usually have the most scrappy winners to separate the teams. When all the eccentric, wonderful and inventive play has been left on the field, only the normal can remain. NRG made themselves and all Rocket League fans proud of their performance. Turbopolsa, ViolentPanda and championship MVP KayDop proved what it takes to be champions. The margins are slim but they always sort the winners from the runners up.



Results:



Dignitas – 3 Evil Geniuses* – 0

Cloud 9 – 3 Chiefs* – 0

Dignitas 3 – Cloud 9* – 0

NRG Esports – 4 Complexity – 0

Dignitas – 4 Complexity* – 2

NRG Esports – 1 Dignitas – 4

Dignitas – 4 NRG Esports* – 3

(* = Eliminated)







…And That’s The Game!

After the most ridiculous final in Rocket League history, the RLCS Season 5 finals came to a close. It’s hard to put into words just how fantastic the weekend was. The players, casting team and fans all combined to make it one to remember. The atmosphere was genuinely like a football match, it totally outdid everything I expected it to be. Psyonix won’t be weary of returning to Europe for the next championships because London absolutely crushed it. Congratulations to Dignitas, commiserations to NRG and an applause to the crowd who blew the roof off the arena.



It’s just a shame that Season 6 will never be able to match up to this finale. That being said, if there’s anything that Season 5 taught me, nothing is impossible.

