EDITORIAL: Why 2027 will be a great Rocket League year for ROUNDS

Let’s dive deep into the reasons why we think there’s no better time to jump on the ROUNDS hype train for RLCS.

Hey all, it’s Finkka here. Today, instead of the usual news article flow, I’m bringing you something a bit more relaxed and behind-the-scenes. I’ve spoken to a few members of our Rocket League squad after the 2026 Rocket League Championship Series season concluded and gathered all the info you need on why you, yes you, should board the bandwagon right this instant, and pre-order the craziness that next year will entail.

ROUNDS ended the 2026 RLCS season with a massive upward trend, making Renshiro‘s stay at Cape Town worthwhile. Opens 4, 5, and 6 ended up with finishes in the Top 8, and twice in the Top 4, pushing us ever so closer to that coveted Major spot and into the cream of the crop of SSA (Sub-Saharan Africa). In Open 6, ROUNDS even managed to beat the Kansas City Pioneers in a Bo7, which really shows that we are here to stay.

What followed after was perhaps even more spectacular. We were the first team in RLCS SSA to already announce that we’re sticking together for 2027. A super early commitment from both the players and the coaching staff shows that we are eager to keep the momentum and move even further forward whenever the next opportunity presents itself. I distinctively remember tuning into the Just SSAying podcast as it happened to be live during our announcement, and the likes of Greybeard were shocked. Positively so, I’d hope!

The general feeling within the team is better than it has ever been. On the sporting side of Rocket League the so-called locker room atmosphere can only be described as through the roof, everyone seems to be equally as committed and excited about the project as one another. The “have fun meta” we pushed on social media is not just a meme. It’s legit. Marssyy told me it was the most fun season he’s had the pleasure of playing in so far, and the only thing I’ve heard from any of the lads is that “my teammates and staff are the best”, period.

That easily then translates onto the pitch as well, Marssyy and Onizumaa especially saw huge step-ups in their game compared to previous team experiences. A big part of that is our competent coaching staff, I must extend my congratulations to them as well. The work that coach Grosloup has put in is really showing in the mechanical side of things for the Réunionnaise. I’m certain you’ve seen it in action if you’ve tuned in to practically any ROUNDS match this past season. Accompanied by the different sides of expertise from Renshiro, Spookii, and Bucheron around them, it really does just feel like a recipe for success that no one dared to expect, doesn’t it?

Spookii was an addition to the team that gave the rest of the lot more confidence about potentially being successful. In Grosloup’s words, having a backbone of multiple staff members, and an org that provides opportunities such as media training and high quality productions (shoutout Redirect), makes the players feel like they’re not alone. It’s also a feeling that I’ve generally got of the whole organization of ROUNDS, that we are in this together. Whether it be CS or RL or anything else, it’s nice to have a sense of community and co-operation, rather than feeling left out and separate. Just like you as the readers, and brands as our partners, I’m sure the players also benefit from this transparency aspect. They are the sort of things that make ROUNDS stand out, I feel. Very grassroots, but very professional at the same time.

So, what’s next? The team is on summer break at the moment. I’ve heard at least Marssyy being pre-occupied by school for a few weeks, but otherwise the guys are doing individual practice to keep their skills honed during the off-season. Mandatory weekly scrims are on the calendar only closer to the season, no high level teams are available for any until then. ROUNDS is somewhat of an exception in SSA though, we want to get back up and running as soon as possible. This could even mean scrimming against EU teams if need be, our coaching staff has a very clear plan for the rest of the year. There’s even been a few shouts over possibly flying the African side of the roster over to Europe in preparation, but it’s not something the org is going to comment on at this time. We’re also prepared for a possible (even if unlikely) SSA LCQ (last chance qualifier) for Worlds.

There’s a feeling that we have the cream of the crop of both our regions, the best player in Finland, and the best players in Réunion. Not my words, but the head coach’s (though I can’t say I disagree). With this upwards trajectory the goal for the future is definitely no less than making a major. Not to be disappointed with less, but to be motivated to push all the way. We mustn’t think we couldn’t do it. Like Ren once said, you have to be a bit delusional to make it. Until then, we’ll follow Renshiro’s journey with Team Finland.

Read all the way through? Awesome! If you could spare just an extra minute of your precious time to improve ROUNDS’ website, let me know what you think of this more transparent editorial format by either mailing me at lari@rounds.gg or on Twitter/X: @finkkaree. The feedback doesn’t need to be long, and is much appreciated!

Lari – finkka
ROUNDS