Rocket League’s new age requirement is now 13 years

The Rocket League Championship Series has lowered its age requirement to 13 years old, sparking a mixed reaction from the community. The game has always been popular with younger players due to its lack of violence and straightforward gameplay. However, until now, the age requirement for professionals looking to compete at the highest level was 15 years old.

This new age limit is thought to be the lowest across esports leagues, with Riot Games’ VALORANT and League of Legends European Championship requiring players to be 17-18 and 18 years old respectively. While other popular esports titles like Counter-Strike and Super Smash Bros. do not have a formal age requirement, organisations must still follow relevant child labor laws when signing players.

Rocket League community split on RLCS changing age requirement to 13

The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) recently announced that it is lowering the age requirement for participation to 13 years old, down from the previous minimum age of 15. While some younger players are excited about the change, many esports professionals who have been in the industry for years are more hesitant to champion the announcement.

One concern expressed by industry insiders is that in most countries, 13-year-olds would not be legally able to sign a contract with a team or even receive cash prizes from tournaments. Jérôme Coupez, the CEO of Prodigy Agency, expressed his concern on social media, saying: “Hopefully, it doesn’t open the door to predatory/reckless behavior from teams.”

Another concern is that younger players may not be mature enough to handle the pressures of professional esports. Some fans and players worry that the scene will become more immature than it already is if teams sign even younger players. One fan on social media expressed this concern, saying “get ready for immaturity.”

On the other hand, some see this as an opportunity for young prodigies to take over and push the league forward even more. Rocket League streamer and pro Josh ‘Comp’ Byrne said, “13 years old?! We are all cooked. The young prodigies are about to take over.”

It remains to be seen whether teams will take advantage of the new rule, or whether they will even be able to legally sign players that young. The announcement comes in the middle of the RLCS off-season and could change how some teams are recruiting for the next season.

Information on when the league is going to start in 2024 has not been revealed yet, but if it follows the same timeline as 2023, the RLCS regional leagues will kick off sometime in May.

How can someone under the age of 13 participate in the Rocket League community?

Players under the age of 13 can participate in the Rocket League community by creating a Cabined Account. This account will require parental consent and restrict access to certain features in Epic’s products. To enter official Rocket League competitions, players must first reach the minimum age requirement. They must also have a valid Rocket League account and meet any additional requirements set forth by the tournament organizers.

Rocket League enforces age verification for tournament players to ensure that they meet the minimum age requirement of 13 years old. Players may be required to provide identification or other forms of verification upon registration.