Psyonix’s Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) has picked up its first-ever 5G connectivity sponsor, thanks to today’s partnership with Verizon.
The sponsorship deal will apply only to the North American region of the developer’s new RLCS X competitive structure, which recently began.
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“With rapid and fast-paced changes taking the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) by storm this year, we needed a partner who could stay up to speed,” reads a Psyonix blog post on the announcement.
“That’s why we’re proud to announce Verizon as the official 5G sponsor of the North American RLCS X. They know a thing or two about delivering consistent results as America’s most awarded network, which is why we’re excited to have them powering the North American RLCS all season long.”
Verizon’s impact will already be felt during this weekend’s back half of the first RLCS X North American Regional, which a release says is “powered by Verizon.”
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RLCS X represents a dramatic change in structure for Rocket League’s 10th esports season, replacing the previous league-based format with a more open events circuit approach. The longer season will span nearly a full calendar year across three seasonal splits leading up to a larger-scale RLCS World Championship next summer.
As Psyonix Esports Program Specialists Cory Lanier and Murty Shah explained to Esports Insider last month, the new format provides them the flexibility needed to adjust to the pandemic (as all matches are online and regionally-focused for now), plus it provides additional framework to support up-and-coming teams and expand the ecosystem.
Verizon has made a few key esports moves so far in 2020, including inking a three-year deal in June to sponsor Riot Games’ League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) and partnering with both FaZe Clan and Dignitas.
Esports Insider says: It makes sense to see a speedy game get a 5G sponsorship. Partnerships with communications and internet technology companies are on the rise during the pandemic, so this alliance certainly checks out.