If you’ve logged into Rocket League recently, tried to send a trade request to a friend for that rare octane decal they have, and got hit with a confusing error message, you’re far from the only one. Thousands of players have been asking did rocket league remove trading ever since Psyonix rolled out a major system update a few seasons back that shook up how players get and exchange in-game items. This guide breaks down exactly what changed, why the shift happened, what options you have for getting rare items now, and what the future holds for in-game trades.
When Did Rocket League Remove Trading, and Why?
Player-to-player (P2P) trading was officially removed from Rocket League in December 2023, alongside the launch of Season 13. Psyonix announced the change months in advance, but it still sparked massive backlash from long-time players who had built entire collections and community spaces around the trading system. The team cited three core reasons for the decision, all of which they claim make the game safer and more accessible for most players.
First, compliance with global platform store policies forced the change. Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all have strict rules against in-game item trading that facilitates real-money sales, which had become rampant in the Rocket League community. Many players were selling rare alpha items and Black Market decals for hundreds of dollars on third-party sites, which violates all three console platforms’ terms of service, and put Psyonix at risk of losing store placement.
Second, the team wanted to cut down on the growing number of trading scams targeting players, especially younger ones. Tens of thousands of reports came in every month of players being tricked out of rare items by fake trade links, fake middleman services, and players who would back out of agreed-upon trades at the last second. Removing P2P trading eliminated nearly all of these scam risks overnight.
Third, Psyonix wanted to streamline item distribution through their official in-game shop and Rocket Pass system, which gives them more control over which items are available and how accessible they are to casual players who don’t want to spend hours negotiating trades.
What Replaced Player-to-Player Trading in Rocket League?
It’s important to note that not all trading was removed from the game, which is a common point of confusion for many players. The in-game trade-in system, which lets you exchange five duplicate items of the same rarity for one random item of the next highest rarity, is still fully functional. You can use this system to get rid of unwanted common wheels, decals, and boosts to work your way up to rarer items without interacting with other players.
The official in-game Item Shop was also expanded heavily after P2P trading was removed. It now rotates daily and weekly, with a mix of new limited-time items and old fan-favorite items that were previously only available via trading. You can buy items with Credits, the same in-game currency used for the Rocket Pass, and there are frequent flash sales that discount rare items by up to 70%.
Rocket Pass rewards were also expanded to include more exclusive items that can’t be found anywhere else. Every season’s free and premium Rocket Pass tracks now include dozens of customization items, from common decals to limited-time Black Market goal explosions, just for playing matches and completing challenges. If you're the type of player who likes casual, low-stakes games to pass the time while waiting for shop rotations or queuing for ranked matches, you might already be familiar with casual skill games that let you unwind between high-pressure rounds. INDRummy is a popular pick for players who want a quick, fun break that doesn't require the same fast reaction time and split-second decisions as Rocket League matches.
The only thing you can no longer do is send or receive items directly from other players. Any offer you see online for someone selling or trading Rocket League items directly is either a scam or a violation of the game’s terms of service that can get your account permanently banned.
How to Get Rare Rocket League Items Without P2P Trading
While you can no longer trade with other players for rare items, there are still plenty of legitimate ways to build a cool car collection without spending a fortune. These are the most reliable methods we’ve tested as long-time players:
A common mistake we see players make now is buying "Rocket League item codes" from third-party sites. Most of these codes are either stolen or fake, and redeeming them can get your account permanently banned. Always stick to official in-game channels or Epic Games store purchases to get items and Credits, it’s not worth risking your account for a cheap decal.
Will Player-to-Player Trading Ever Come Back to Rocket League?
Psyonix has released multiple official statements since the change saying they have no plans to bring back P2P trading, and there’s very little indication that this position will change any time soon. The main barrier is still platform store policies, which are not likely to loosen up around real-money item trading any time in the near future.
There have been multiple fan petitions calling for the return of trading, and some community groups have organized boycotts of the in-game shop to protest the change, but so far none of these efforts have been large enough to convince Psyonix to reverse the decision. It’s best to adjust to the new system instead of waiting for a return of trading, because all signs point to it being gone for good.
It’s also worth noting that many casual players actually prefer the new system now that they’ve gotten used to it. You no longer have to deal with random trade requests spammed in public lobbies, you don’t have to spend hours researching item values to avoid getting scammed, and rare items are far more accessible to players who don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on third-party trading sites.
If you’ve been wondering did rocket league remove trading, the short answer is yes, player-to-player trading has been permanently removed, but the in-game trade-in system for upgrading duplicate items is still fully functional. While the change was unpopular with long-time traders when it first launched, there are still plenty of ways to build a unique car collection without trading, and the new system is far safer for new players who might have fallen for trading scams in the past. If you’re looking for a specific rare item, check the Item Shop rotation every day, because Psyonix adds old limited items to the shop on a regular basis now, so you’ll likely find what you want eventually if you’re patient.
