The RLCS Paris Major proved that Rocket League belongs in France, but can this phenomenon thrive in North America?

There is no easier rivalry than the regional one, but after a decade of back and forth between North America and Europe – in particular, France – RLCS Paris Major he confirmed that The Rocket League he came home.

Born out of a small studio in the US that was tweaking a few extra games to fit into Gears of War, Rocket League was born and raised in Satellite Beach, Florida.

The deep roots of the game of ‘Soccar’ as we know it have all been American, from the DNA of the game to the RLCS World Championships in Los Angeles and the current World Champions, the high octane game Texas Barbecue of American esports.

Or is it?

For nearly a decade, the US’s hold over the RLCS has been slipping, and after two kings and the current creme de la creme of rivals, France has pulled a card that takes back Uno from the Declaration of Independence, and stole the Rocket League from under Big Sam’s nose.

As expected, the US won the Rocket League in its first outing, with the first RLCS World Championships going to home teams in Los Angeles. But that proposition was quickly challenged by Europe, which had found love for the game as it had for many esports, and the mythical, collective gold cup began to be transferred from one country to another.

It was like that, until Alexandre “Kaydop” Courant he arrived. Now known as Maradona or the Babe Ruth of Soccer, Kaydop launched a reign that would last four years and the appearance of six consecutive World Championship Grand Finals, winning three and only the fourth being denied by a global pandemic.

Fortunately for the US, the last Worlds before the shutter closed was snatched from Kaydop’s hands by former teammate Pierre “Turbopolsa” Silfver, who had moved to America to retrieve the trophy.

But Kaydop’s genius brought a wave of young French people who wanted to enter the RLCS, and supported by new communities and organizers of local tournaments (such as Rocket Baguette), the region was soon left waiting for the chains of the epidemic to be removed to return to the international stage. Although this veteran has passed the baton to Evan “M0nkey M00n” Rogez.

From there, the icon called “Open Era” carried the French flame in the war against the US many times again, and often came out on top. Inter-regional competition was still alive and kicking, and France was on top more often than not.

For years, the North American Rocket League has faced one major problem. In Lehmann’s terms, the country is huge, and deporting young people, often of school age, to be transported across the country to training camps is almost impossible.

A question I asked Joseph “Noly” Kidd and Jack “Apparently Jack” Benton three years ago, when two British stars took the export route to play together in the States for Gen.G and won multiple titles and a Major.

At the time, the only real competitive roster was G2 Esports, with Landon “BeastMode” Konerman, Daniel “Daniel” Piecenski, and Massimo “Atomic” Franceschi.

Fast forward to 2026, and the reigning World Champions are the exact same roster, albeit now operating under the NRG banner. Consistency is combined with quality. However that is almost impossible to replicate.

Noly said that for European players it is easy to get to the club’s center, just a few hours from home. Using NRG as an example, BeastMode is from Kentucky, a 32-hour drive away, which is hardly a quick trip around the corner. It is a complete sensory adjustment.

Ever since the RLCS Open Era began, the talent pipeline in the US has been stuck hard on the Diamond. Thankfully, the younger players entered the field and soon faced the dilemma of being kicked out during Grade 11 or putting the Rocket League on fire.

Case in point: 16-year-old Zachary “zach” Stone, formerly of “Scrzbbles.” After being considered as the next RLCS player, he ‘retired’ from the game at the end of the 2025 season (then 15), citing school work. He has since returned to the SpaceStation Gaming camp, but the summer may have kept him from being part of the elite roster.

Across the pond, Team Vitality faced the same prospect as fate itself, Alexis “Zen” Bernier, who proved to be the difference. After scouting him since he was 13 years old, Zen was brought to the team before he was eligible to play, with the promise that he should finish school while under their contract.

After agreeing and becoming an adult, Zen went on to win back-to-back-to-back Regionals, Majors, and World Championships. Nothing short of a success – but you can’t say that if faced with a 32-hour commute across the US, Zen would take that leap of faith.

It’s an unusual demographic for American esports staples like Counter-Strike, but it’s been a threat to the home nation of Rocket League for the better part of five years, and it’s no surprise that France has seized the opportunity with both hands.

As for who can stop them, American NRG activists are in the best position, while a new pipeline route from the Middle East has quickly challenged the status quo. What is evident, however, is that the Rocket League’s most popular youth talent needs to be used in the right place, surrounded by guidance, and close countries like Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Spain.

There’s no place like home, right? However, the RLCS Paris Major proved just that, as the Rocket League saw a record crowd pack inside the La Defense Arena and were treated to an incredible display of homegrown talent. With three powerhouse groups Vitality, Gentle Mates, and Karmine Corp having it all, the crowd’s antics were festival-like.

Cult fans celebrated the Rocket League with pyros, tifos, flags, and chants as if it were the national soccer team, and they did not disappoint. If we had any doubts about France’s quality, it was short-lived, as five of the top six teams had French-speaking players or represented in a French outfit, including all three winners.

Dominance.

All this was illustrated by the realization of Epic Games that Rocket League was at home, using the Paris Major to announce its first appearance that has never been seen in Unreal Engine 6. It may play in Boston. It could be played at the Worlds in Fort Worth. It could completely outclass Rocket League and be shown at Fortnite’s upcoming LAN in Germany.

But Epic knew its community and rewarded years of patience and love with an understanding of the future.

The Paris Major was the Coachella of the Rocket League. Although the viewership figures were down a bit (still tied for the second-most watched RLCS event in history), it was a homecoming bonanza, and rightfully so. It started after greatness, built roots that secured its future and good things, and gave us the best fans a game could ask for.

Rocket League plays a big role.