Rocket League is football with cars: two teams try to get the ball into the opposing goal, and online you play 1v1, 2v2 or 3v3. As a new player you start in casual matches, you have to complete the New Driver Challenges before ranked opens up, and since Season 24 (from 23 September 2026) mouse and keyboard players get new default controls. Here is what modes the game has, what the road to ranked matches looks like, what to play with and what cosmetics do. The information is valid as of 20 October 2026.
Modes: Soccar and Extra Modes
The core of the game is Soccar, the classic football mode with cars and a ball. Online you play it in three team sizes: 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3. On top of that, the game has Extra Modes with different rules or a different ball. Epic names Rumble, Snow Day (played with a puck on snow) and Hoops (with basketball hoops).
Matches are split into playlists. A playlist is a queue for one mode: you join it and the game finds you opponents. There are two kinds:
- Casual: informal matches without a rank. Perfect for warming up, the result doesn’t count.
- Competitive (Ranked): rated matches where you play for a rank. New players unlock them only after the New Driver Challenges.
Which modes are in the ranked line-up changes between seasons. Season 22, for example, brought Ranked Dropshot back and added 2v2 Ranked Heatseeker, two more variants with special rules. The details are in our guide to the ranked system.
You can also play locally. On one console, 1 to 4 players can play in splitscreen, and the game has offline modes too, so you can start a match without internet. Which platforms you can play on and what it costs is summed up in our platforms guide.
New Driver Challenges: the road to ranked
Since Season 20, new accounts have a New Driver tab in the Challenges menu, according to the patch notes. These challenges for new drivers do two jobs. First, they teach you the basics and measure your skill. Second, the game uses them to set your starting rank.
Until you complete the New Driver Challenges, the Competitive playlists stay locked. In the past anyone who reached Level 20 could play ranked, since Season 20 these challenges decide it. Once you finish all of them, the New Driver tab disappears from the menu.
After ranked unlocks, you play 10 matches in each Competitive playlist and then receive a rank. Wins move you up, losses move you down. Ranks go from Bronze up to Grand Champion and the top tier, Supersonic Legend. The full ladder is covered in our ranked guide.
Controller or mouse and keyboard
Steam recommends a gamepad or controller for the game. You can still play on mouse and keyboard, and since Season 24 the game has new default mouse and keyboard controls. Psyonix presented them in the patch notes as modernised controls, built around the Free Look camera, which lets you look freely around your car. You can also turn on a dot in the centre of the screen.
The new controls are the default for new players on mouse and keyboard. Free Look can be turned on for controllers as well. We don’t list specific keys or buttons here, you will find the layout in the controls settings in the game.
What helps you practise
Season 22 added several elements that show you what is going on while you learn. The game displays your matchmaking rating, the number it uses to pair you with opponents. It also added a recharge indicator for boost pads (the spots on the pitch where you refill boost) and a status indicator for flip resets, one of the advanced mechanics.
Challenges and the Rocket Pass
Besides the New Driver challenges, the game has weekly and season-long Challenges. Completing them unlocks cosmetic items for free. Since Season 20, all Challenges are available to everyone, even without the paid Rocket Pass Premium.
The Rocket Pass is a seasonal reward track with a free part and a paid part called Rocket Pass Premium. Progressing through it earns you cars, wheels, boosts and other cosmetics. What the current season offers is in our Season 24 guide.
Cosmetics and hitboxes
All items in Rocket League are cosmetic and do not impact gameplay. Spending Credits will not buy you an advantage, only a different look.
With cars, it is worth knowing the term hitbox. It is the invisible shape the game uses when your car touches the ball and other cars. Psyonix states which hitbox each new car uses, for example Octane, Dominus, Breakout or Merc. When you pick a new car, check which hitbox Psyonix lists.
Join our Discord to find teammates for practising in Casual or working through the New Driver challenges, and we are happy to help: GamersTogether Discord.
How players and critics rate Rocket League and whether it is worth it for you is covered in our Rocket League review (8/10).
FAQ
New accounts must first complete the New Driver Challenges in the Challenges menu. Until you do, the Competitive playlists stay locked. Ranked used to unlock at Level 20.
Online Soccar in 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3, plus Extra Modes such as Rumble, Snow Day and Hoops. You can play in Casual or Competitive playlists, and locally with up to four players on one console.
Steam recommends a controller. Since Season 24, however, the game has new default mouse and keyboard controls with a Free Look camera and an optional centre dot.
No. All items are cosmetic. Cars do differ in hitbox, though, and Psyonix states which one each new car uses.
Information verified on 20 October 2026. More guides are waiting in the Rocket League guides.