Whether you just unboxed a new PS5 and are scrolling through your game library to find your favorite soccer-car hybrid title, or you’re debating picking up Rocket League for the first time on Sony’s latest console, you’ve probably asked: is Rocket League on PS5? The short answer is yes, but there’s a lot more to know about how the game runs, what upgrades you get, and how to access it if you already own a PS4 copy. I’ve been playing Rocket League on PlayStation consoles since 2018, so I’ve tested every iteration of the game on PS5 to break down exactly what you can expect, no confusing fine print included.
Is Rocket League on PS5? All Access Options Explained
Rocket League has a fully optimized native PS5 version available for all players, and it’s 100% free to download, just like it is on every other platform. You don’t have to purchase a separate copy if you already own the PS4 version, either digital or physical. The upgrade is completely free for all existing owners, no special editions or hidden fees required.
Unlike a lot of cross-gen games, there is no separate, standalone PS5 physical copy of Rocket League sold in stores. The only way to get the PS5 native version is to download it from the PlayStation Store, or upgrade your existing PS4 copy. If you have a PS4 physical disc, you’ll just need to insert it into your PS5, navigate to the game’s store page, and select the free PS5 upgrade option to download the native version. You’ll still need to keep the disc inserted to play, same as any other physical cross-gen title.
One of the biggest perks for PS5 players is that you don’t need a paid PS Plus subscription to play online matches on PS5. Since Rocket League is a free-to-play title, Sony waives the PS Plus requirement for online play, which saves you money if you only play free titles on your console. You only need PS Plus if you want to claim monthly free games or access online play for paid titles.
Key Performance Upgrades for Rocket League on PS5
The PS5 version of Rocket League isn’t just a port of the PS4 version running through backward compatibility. The devs spent months optimizing the game for PS5 hardware, and the upgrades make a huge difference, especially if you play competitive ranked matches. I switched to the PS5 version as soon as it launched, and I noticed a immediate jump in my win rate because the gameplay is so much more responsive.
The core upgrades you’ll get with the native PS5 version include:
If you have a 120Hz compatible display, 120fps gameplay support for compatible 4K displays is the biggest game-changer. Input lag is almost completely eliminated, so you can make faster aerial plays, hit more accurate shots, and react to opponent moves far faster than you could on PS4. Even if you don’t have a 120Hz display, the 60fps mode is far more stable than the PS4 version, with no frame drops during chaotic 3v3 matches with lots of boost effects and demos.
Adaptive trigger feedback that gives you more control over your car’s boost might sound like a gimmick, but it’s actually super useful for casual and competitive players alike. You’ll learn to feel when you’re running low on boost without glancing down at your boost meter, which lets you keep your eyes on the play at all times. You can turn this feature off in the settings if you don’t like it, but I recommend giving it a try for a few matches first.
Common Issues With Rocket League on PS5 (And How to Fix Them)
Most players will have no issues downloading and running the PS5 version of Rocket League, but there are a few common glitches that pop up from time to time, especially if you’re upgrading from a PS4 copy. I’ve run into almost all of these myself, so I’ve tested every fix to make sure they work.
The most common issue is that your PS5 will automatically download the backward-compatible PS4 version instead of the native PS5 version. Always check that you’ve downloaded the native PS5 version, not the backward-compatible PS4 copy if you notice bad performance or missing features. To fix this, go to the Rocket League page on your PS5 dashboard, select the “…” menu, and choose the “Select Version” option. Pick the PS5 native version from the list, delete the PS4 version if you already downloaded it, and you’re good to go.
Another common issue is that 120fps mode won’t turn on even if you have a compatible display. Enable performance mode in your PS5 system settings first to unlock 120fps gameplay. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets, and select “Performance Mode” as your default. Then go into Rocket League’s in-game settings, navigate to the Video tab, and make sure the 120fps option is toggled on. You’ll need to restart the game for the setting to take effect.
Some players also report that their in-game items or rank progress don’t transfer over when they upgrade to PS5. This almost always happens because you haven’t linked your PlayStation account to your Epic Games account. Just go to the Epic Games website, log in, link your PlayStation profile, and all your progress will sync over the next time you launch the game.
Crossplay and Cross-Progression Details for PS5 Rocket League Players
One of the best parts of Rocket League is that you can play with your friends no matter what platform they’re on, and that holds true for the PS5 version. Crossplay is enabled by default for all PS5 players, so you’ll be matched with players on PS4, Xbox, Switch, and PC unless you turn off crossplay in your settings. You can also party up with friends on any platform, as long as you add them through your Epic Games friends list.
cross-progression works across all platforms as long as you link your account to an Epic Games profile. That means all your rank progress, unlocked items, car customizations, and in-game currency will carry over if you switch between PS5, PC, Xbox, or Switch. You don’t have to start over from scratch if you play on multiple platforms, which is a huge perk for players who game on the go or have friends on other consoles.
There’s one small downside to note: cross-platform trading is disabled across all console versions of Rocket League, including the PS5 version. You can only trade items with other players on PlayStation consoles, so you won’t be able to send rare items to friends on Xbox or Switch, or receive items from them. This is a platform policy, not a Rocket League dev choice, so it’s unlikely to change any time soon.
You can also turn off crossplay entirely if you only want to match with other PS5 and PS4 players. Keep in mind that this will make your queue times longer, especially for less popular playlists like Hoops or Dropshot, but it can be useful if you want to avoid playing against PC players who use mouse and keyboard.
At the end of the day, if you’ve been wondering is Rocket League on PS5, you can rest easy knowing it’s not only available, it’s the best way to play the game on PlayStation hardware. The performance upgrades make competitive play far more consistent, the faster load times cut down on frustration between matches, and you don’t have to pay a cent to jump in if you already owned the game on PS4. Whether you’re a casual player who only queues up for casual matches on weekends, or a ranked grinder chasing Grand Champion rank, the PS5 version of Rocket League is worth the small effort to upgrade if you haven’t already.
