You’ve got a friend over for game night, you’re both huge soccer-meets-cars fans, and the first question that pops up is can you play 2 player on Rocket League. I’ve been playing Rocket League casually and competitively for almost 8 years, testing every multiplayer mode across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, so I’ve got all the answers you need to get set up fast, no headaches involved. Whether you want to play side-by-side on the couch or queue up together online from separate homes, there are multiple 2 player options built right into the base game, no extra purchases required.
Can You Play 2 Player on Rocket League Across All Platforms?
The short answer is yes, for nearly every device that runs Rocket League officially. I’ve tested 2 player play on every current generation console, PC, and even the portable Nintendo Switch, and all support both local split-screen and online 2 player modes without any workarounds. All modern platforms that support Rocket League natively allow 2 player play with no extra paid DLC required. But there are a few small caveats to note. Older generation consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360 no longer receive Rocket League updates, so 2 player play on those devices is limited to offline matches only, and you won’t be able to connect to online servers. If you’re playing on the Epic Games Store version on PC, you’ll need to make sure both players are linked to an Epic Games account to access online play, even if you’re playing split-screen on the same device. Cross-platform 2 player online play is also fully supported, so if you’re on PS5 and your friend is on Xbox or Switch, you can still queue up together as long as you add each other via the in-game Epic Friends list.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Local 2 Player Split-Screen
Local split-screen is the easiest way to play 2 player Rocket League when you’re in the same room, and setup takes less than a minute once you know the steps. I’ve walked dozens of friends through this process for game nights, and it works almost identically across all platforms, with only tiny differences for account sign-in requirements. The general setup process works as follows:
- Launch Rocket League on your primary device and sign in to your main Rocket League/Epic Games account
- Connect your second controller to your device via Bluetooth or wired connection, then press any button to turn it on
- Wait for the in-game pop-up prompting you to add the second player, or navigate to the main menu’s “Play” tab and select the split-screen option from the side menu
- Have the second player sign in to their own platform or Epic Games account, or select the guest play option if they don’t care about saving progress
- Pick your preferred game mode, from casual competitive to custom private matches, and start your game
2 Player Online Play Options You Might Not Know About
Local split-screen is great for in-person game nights, but you also have plenty of options for 2 player play when you’re not in the same location. Most players know you can queue up as a duo for casual or competitive matches, but there are a few lesser-known 2 player modes worth checking out. First, you can create a private 2 player match against AI opponents if you want to practice your plays without going up against other real players. This is perfect if one of you is new to the game and wants to get used to the controls before jumping into public lobbies. You can also join limited-time event modes as a 2 player team, from the chaotic rumble mode with power-ups to the seasonal Halloween and Christmas themed game modes that release a few times a year. You don’t need a separate online subscription for the second player if you’re playing local split-screen online on the same console. That means if you have an active PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core subscription on your account, your friend playing split-screen with you can join online matches without paying for their own subscription. If you’re playing online from separate devices, each player will need their own copy of Rocket League and their own platform online subscription if required for their device. Cross-platform play is enabled by default now, so you don’t have to adjust any settings to play with friends on other platforms, just add them to your Epic Friends list and send an invite to your party.
Tips to Make Your 2 Player Rocket League Experience Better
Once you’ve got your 2 player session set up, there are a few small tweaks you can make to improve your play experience and win more matches together. I’ve picked up these tips after hundreds of hours of 2 player play both locally and online, and they make a huge difference even for casual play sessions. First, adjust your field of view (FOV) settings individually for each player. Most default split-screen settings use a lower FOV to fit both screens, but you can bump it up in the controller settings per profile to give yourself a wider view of the field, so you don’t miss incoming passes or opponent plays. Turn off split-screen motion blur in the graphics settings to reduce eye strain during long play sessions, especially if you’re playing for a few hours straight at a game night. Communication is key for 2 player play, even when you’re sitting right next to each other. Call out who is taking the kickoff, when you’re going for a shot, and when you’re staying back to defend, so you don’t both chase the ball and leave your net open. If you’re playing together online, use the in-game quick chat options if you don’t have a headset, or hop on a Discord call for more detailed communication. Customize your car with distinct colors and decals so you can easily tell which player is which during fast-paced plays. It’s easy to mix up two similar looking cars when the ball is flying across the field at 100 mph, so picking bright, distinct colors for each player will stop you from accidentally going for the same shot or missing a pass. If you’re new to playing together, stick to casual matches for the first few sessions so you don’t risk losing competitive rank while you learn each other’s play styles. Once you get used to how the other person plays, you can move up to competitive queues and start climbing the rank ladder together.
Next time you’re hanging out with a friend or looking for a new co-op partner to climb the Rocket League ranks with, you don’t have to wonder can you play 2 player on Rocket League. The game’s built-in 2 player modes are flexible, easy to set up, and work across nearly every modern device, so you can play however and wherever you want. Whether you prefer local split-screen on the couch or online cross-platform play from separate homes, there’s a 2 player option that fits your needs. Just follow the setup steps we covered, adjust your settings for the best experience, and you’ll be scoring goals together in no time.
