Universal Open Rocket League, the annual competition run in collaboration between NBC Sports Group and FACEIT, will return for the second consecutive season this summer.
The tournament uses FACEIT’s competitive gaming platform and livestreaming production, and makes use of NBCUniversal and Comcast’s vast regional, national and international pull and assets. The result is a competition in which ‘gamers of all skill levels’ can compete in a 2v2 Rocket League tournament for a prize pool of $100,000 (£73,000).
The tournament features open qualifiers that allow all players in both North America and Europe to get involved. FACEIT will manage all operational phases of Universal Open Rocket League, from the open qualifiers to the Grand Finals. Registration for Universal Open Rocket League is now underway, and you can bravely put yourself forward here.
Psyonix’s Rocket league has been making some more noise recently, with the announcement that the finals of the RLCS Season Five will take place in London over 8-10th June.
Iced tea brand Brisk, which has been a partner of the RLCS, must be loving its involvement with the game too as it has signed up as the sponsor of the Universal Open Rocket League.
“For the second consecutive year, NBCUniversal and Comcast will leverage their unparalleled multi-platform portfolio to host Universal Open Rocket League,” commented Rob Simmelkjaer, Senior Vice President, NBC Sports Ventures. “This year’s tournament welcomes a presenting sponsor, Brisk, expands our Open qualifiers to Europe, and will be highlighted by the transformation of Studio 4 at NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center into the ideal setting for the Universal Open Grand Final. We’re proud to once again partner with FACEIT and Psyonix as we build off of the success of the inaugural Universal Open Rocket League and continue to expand our presence in the esports ecosystem.”
“The inaugural Universal Open Rocket League proved that 2v2 Rocket League matches could be a compelling competition that plays perfectly on livestreams and broadcast. Most importantly, it gives the community, from the aspiring grassroots players to established powerhouses, an opportunity to take part and showcase their skills and dedication to a huge audience,” said Michele Attisani, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of FACEIT.
“This year promises to be bigger and better, with greater production level, more livestreaming and broadcast content. We look forward to players proving once again that the Universal Open Rocket League represents the future of esports.”
Open qualifying rounds will kick off on May 28th. Closed Qualifiers will be held in North America and Europe and will be produced, hosted and livestreamed from FACEIT’s London studio.
Notably, the Regional Finals will take place on-site at four NBC Sports Regional Networks’ studios across the USA. These are NBC Sports Washington (East Regional; July 28), SNY (Northeast Regional; July 29), NBC Sports Chicago (Central Regional;August 5), and NBC Sports Bay Area (West Regional; August 11.
The three day Grand Finals will be held at NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Connecticut., on the weekend of August 24-26th.
There will be live streaming of the Regional Finals and the Grand Finals on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, and ‘additional platforms’. NBCSN will also televise the “Road to the Universal Open,” featuring both the Regional Finals, and the Universal Open Grand Finals.
Esports Insider says: So Rocket League again for the Universal Open. It’s great to see NBC Sports Group fully involving itself and making use of its own considerable facilities. Nice to see the Psyonix title get some more love too, and let’s see if Gale Force Esports can hold onto their crown come August!
