Edited By
Clara Evers

The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2025 schedule is heating up with several major tournaments lined up this week, while discussions around roster changes are stirring debate among fans. Key streams and matches are set for May 5-11, with six separate tournaments across multiple regions.
Here's a quick look at the upcoming streams:
12:00 ET | MENA Open #5 - GSL Stage
18:00 CET | 2:00 AET
3:00 ET | OCE Open #5 - GSL Stage
11:00 ET | SSA Open #5 - GSL Stage
12:00 ET | MENA Open #5 - Playoffs
13:00 ET | NA Open #5 - GSL Stage
3:00 ET | OCE Open #5 - Playoffs
11:00 ET | SSA Open #5 - Playoffs
3:00 ET | OCE Open #5 - Playoffs
12:00 ET | EU Open #5 - Swiss Stage
Curiously, the competitive scene faces some tension as users weigh in on changes to team rosters.
Fans are buzzing over Alpha's absence from Vitality's RLCS roster. One user stated, "Alpha cannot play for VIT in RLCS," pointing out that only Exo, MM, Zen, and Kassio are involved in the lineup. Another user pondered, "Could they put him in as a sub?" This hypothetical creates a significant buzz, especially with speculation about how it may affect team dynamics.
Conflicting sentiments emerged around roster strategies. Several users slammed roster management, claiming it "screws GenG over twice." Insights from the community suggest that roster adjustments could impact performance in upcoming matches.
Users are wary of how these changes might affect teams grappling with the Swiss format, suggesting that "NRG getting upset in Swiss always screws over a team." Such remarks indicate growing frustrations among fans about roster decisions.
Interestingly, throughout the forums, some users voiced optimism regarding team performances, hinting at potential surprises in the playoffs despite current roster woes.
โพ๏ธ Upcoming RLCS events feature critical matches across multiple regions this week.
โพ๏ธ Alpha's absence from the Vitality lineup sparks controversy and speculation.
โพ๏ธ Users express concern about the impact of roster changes on team performance.
For more detailed listings and updates on the RLCS tournaments, check out Liquipedia.
This week looks promising for Rocket League fans as discussions unfold leading into the playoffs.
As the RLCS playoffs approach, there's a strong chance that roster changes like Alpha's absence from Vitality will create ripples throughout the tournament. Teams may struggle to adapt their strategies effectively, with experts estimating that the impact on performance could be significant, around a 60% probability of affecting match outcomes. In contrast, this could lead to unexpected upsets, enhancing the competitive balance. Players stepping in as substitutes might shine, pushing teams to develop new dynamics. This fluidity in rosters could also encourage emerging talents from other regions to take center stage, creating a volatile yet exciting landscape for fans.
This situation mirrors the historical shift in Major League Baseball during the 1990s when several high-profile trades reshaped team compositions, leading to unexpected playoff contenders. Just as those shifts caused established franchises to falter, we might see a similar outcome in the RLCS as teams adjust to their new lineups. Teams grappling with late-season changes often faced great uncertainty yet occasionally emerged stronger than anticipated, showing resilience in the face of doubt. Much like those ball clubs, the Rocket League teams may not fit into traditional molds anymore, redefining their paths towards success with thrilling unpredictability.