Rocket Baguette Summer Grand Prix Preview

The Rocket League Championships Series Season X (RLCS X) is on the horizon, with the deadline for roster movements coming in just ten days’ time, on Saturday, June 25 (for RLCS Sides, a day prior for qualifier teams). With the clock running down, the competition is heating up, and we can see who is most prepared in the Summer Grand Prix. 

In a format consisting of two groups and a double-elimination playoffs series, the $44,424 (€40,000) prize pool will be split with 50% going to the winners, 35% going to second place, 15% going to third, and 5% to fourth. Places fifth to 12th will receive nothing, making the Summer Grand Prix one of the most fiercely contested community events we have seen this year. With the stakes so high, teams will be trying their hardest to get in the money and prove that they are ready for RLCS X.
Ahead of the Summer Grand Prix, we look at the key storylines to the five days of high-quality Rocket League.

All eyes are on the unproven rising stars

Many of the RLCS sides in Europe have chosen to place trust in young rising stars to be the mechanical dynamite needed to rocket them to success. Joreuz has now become an official Dignitas player, despite recent results not falling kindly for them. Coming in to replace AztraL, one of the regions leading playmakers, Joreuz will be looking to improve his new teams’ placings, after failing to make the top three at Fusion and The Eurocup 10K. Meanwhile, Itachi features again for FC Barcelona as they also look to overturn their recent form and become the top four side that they were last season. 

M0nkey M00n and Archie will look to be the instrumental attacking for Team BDS and Top Blokes respectively, both of whom have been in impressive form as of late. Archie’s Top Blokes side beat Endpoint, Monkeys, and Giants Gaming to qualify for the Summer Grand Prix, only falling to Team Singularity who pipped the final two games in overtime.

Without a shred of RLCS experience between the four of them, Archie, Itachi, Joreuz and M0nkey m00n have more to prove than anyone else.

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• Read more - Why Do the French Dominate European RLCS?

A Renault Vitality vs Oxygen final?

The two teams who look to be the most prepared in in the best form are Renault Vitality and Oxygen Esports. Vitality are coming in off the back of wins the Spring Series and Fusion, and a third-place finish at The Eurocup 10K, looking to right the wrongs of their Season 9. Falling short to Dignitas in the Season 9 and 8 European finals, Vitality are gunning for their crown back. Oxygen, however, are another frightening force, and made their roster change very early on, leaving them plenty of time to prepare. AztraL, Ferra and Chausette45 have had just shy of two months together as a three and will be looking towards the Summer Grand Prix to make their presence known. A roster capable of incredible heights will look to assert their dominance, and here is their perfect opportunity.

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• Read more - Are We Set for the Most Competitive RLCS Season to Date?

Welcome, Team Liquid

Flying under the radar somewhat, Team Liquid has acquired a brilliant roster. Fruity, a previous EU champion joins the former Mousesports duo of Speed and former World Champion kuxir97. Making their first appearance here at the Summer Grand Prix, they could come out all guns blazing to put their name in contention for EUs finest. Speed will be looking to go one better in this Seasons RLCS, as he gradually builds momentum over each season. Finishing seventh/eighth in Season 7, fifth in Season 8, and third/fourth in Season 9, his projection sets him destined for the top two this year, and combined with the winning experience of fruity and kuxir97 alongside him, this could be the year that he breaks into the top bracket. Team Liquid are certainly a team to keep an eye on this week. 

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How to Watch

The group stages kick off with Renault Vitality against Top Blokes on Thursday 16, July at 6pm (BST) / 1pm (ET), and you can tune in below, or on Rocket Baguettes official Twitch channel.

Stay tuned at GGRecon for all your latest Rocket League esports news.

Image via Rocket Baguette | Twitter