If you’ve ever scrolled through your Xbox library or Steam store debating if you should drop cash on Rocket League, you’ve probably asked do you need game pass to play rocket league at least once. I’ve been there too, back when I first got my Series S and saw Rocket League pop up as a recommended game but couldn’t tell if it was locked behind a subscription or free to grab. A lot of conflicting info floats around online, especially since the game shifted to free-to-play a few years back, so we’re breaking down every detail you need to decide the cheapest, easiest way to start playing, no hidden fine print.
Do You Need Game Pass to Play Rocket League on Every Platform?
First, let’s cover the most common platform where this question comes up: Xbox consoles. Rocket League has been free-to-play across all platforms since 2020, so you do not need a Game Pass subscription to download and play the base game on Xbox One, Series S, or Series X. You can head directly to the Xbox store, search for Rocket League, and download the full base game at no cost, no subscription required. That said, you will still need an active Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online multiplayer matches, unless you’re only sticking to offline training or custom matches against bots.
On PC, the rules are a little different. You can download Rocket League for free via the Epic Games Store or Steam, no Game Pass for PC required, and you don’t need any extra subscription to play online either, as long as you have a stable internet connection. For PlayStation and Nintendo Switch users, Game Pass isn’t even an option, so you can ignore this question entirely: just download the free base game from your platform’s store, and you’ll only need a PlayStation Plus or Nintendo Switch Online subscription if you want to play online multiplayer. Offline play is 100% free for all users on every platform, no subscriptions of any kind required. I tested this last month when I set up a Switch for my little cousin, and we downloaded Rocket League in 10 minutes without touching any subscription outside of his existing Switch Online plan.
Perks of Getting Game Pass for Regular Rocket League Fans
Even though the answer to do you need game pass to play rocket league is no, there are a handful of really solid perks that make the subscription worth considering if you play the game regularly. I’ve had Game Pass Ultimate for two years now, and the Rocket League exclusive rewards alone almost cover the cost of the subscription for me, since I play at least 3 times a week. Game Pass subscribers get access to the Rocket League Premium Rocket Pass for free every season, which usually costs $9.99 on its own. The Rocket Pass gives you access to exclusive car skins, goal explosions, boost effects, and in-game credits as you level up, and you get all premium tier rewards without paying extra.
You also get exclusive monthly Game Pass only cosmetic drops, like limited edition decals and wheels that you can’t get anywhere else, even if you buy the Rocket Pass separately. If you play other games too, Game Pass Ultimate also includes Xbox Live Gold and access to hundreds of other titles, so if you’re someone who bounces between Rocket League, sports games, and indie titles, it’s a way better deal than paying for each subscription or game individually. Just don’t sign up for Game Pass only for Rocket League, since the base game is free either way.
No-Subscription Ways to Play Rocket League for Free
If you don’t want to pay for Game Pass or any extra subscriptions, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Rocket League without spending a dime, and I’ve used every single one of these at some point when I was between jobs and cutting down on monthly costs. You don’t have to pay anything to access all core Rocket League gameplay, including ranked matches, casual play, and custom game modes, so you won’t miss out on the fun even if you never spend a cent on the game. If you’re still wondering do you need game pass to play rocket league to get access to these free options, the answer is still no. Here are the most reliable no-cost play options:
- Download the base free-to-play version directly from your platform’s official store, no sign up or extra fees required beyond any mandatory online play subscriptions for your console
- Join friend hosted custom matches even if you don’t have an online console subscription, as most platforms let you join private lobbies for free
- Claim free in-game cosmetic drops from official Rocket League events and Twitch drops, no subscription needed to redeem or use them
I used to play custom matches with my friends every weekend when my Xbox Live Gold lapsed last year, and we didn’t have any issues accessing all the same game modes we used when we had active subscriptions. The only thing you won’t get without paying is premium cosmetic items, but those don’t affect gameplay at all, so it’s totally fine to skip them if you’re on a budget. I’ve hit Champion rank three times using only the default Octane skin, so don’t let anyone tell you you need paid skins to play well.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Accessing Rocket League
A lot of new players end up wasting money on subscriptions or in-game purchases they don’t need, because they don’t take 5 minutes to look up the actual rules for Rocket League access. I’ve made a few of these mistakes myself, so I’m laying them out to help you avoid the same headaches. Never pay for a Rocket League base game copy, even if you see it listed for sale on third party sites or old physical copies in stores. The game has been fully free-to-play since 2020, so any listing charging for the base game is a scam, or selling an outdated code that won’t give you any extra perks.
Another common mistake is signing up for Game Pass just to play Rocket League, without realizing you can get the base game for free. If you only play Rocket League and no other games, you’re wasting $14.99 a month on a subscription you don’t need, since the only extra benefit you’ll get is the seasonal Rocket Pass, which you can buy individually for less than half the cost of a month of Game Pass. You also don’t need to buy any in-game credits to play competitively. All car hitboxes are the same regardless of what skin you use, so you can climb to the top of the ranked ladder even if you’re using the default Octane skin and no extra cosmetics. The only time it makes sense to pay for extras is if you want to support the developers or you really want a specific cosmetic for fun, not because you think it will make you a better player.
At the end of the day, the answer to do you need game pass to play rocket league is a clear no, no matter what platform you play on. The base game is fully free for everyone, and you can enjoy every core game mode without paying for a subscription unless you want the extra perks that come with Game Pass. If you play a lot of games besides Rocket League, the subscription might be a good deal for you, but it’s never a requirement to join in on the fun. The next time you see someone saying you need to pay to play Rocket League, you can tell them they’re wrong, and send them this guide if they need proof. Now go hop into a match, and don’t forget to save your boost for kickoff.
