Rocket League with legs? Rematch hits 100K concurrent players in open beta

Rematch might be the first real post-Rocket League hit, and it doesn’t even need rocket cars to pull it off.

After nearly a decade of failed attempts to recapture the magic of Rocket League, we might finally have a winner—and it’s not even about rocket-powered cars. Rematch, the new 5v5 multiplayer soccer game from Sloclap, just passed a staggering 100,000 concurrent players on Steam during its open beta weekend. That’s more than just a good sign—it’s a full-blown goal celebration.

Screenshot: REMATCH on 31st position in Steam the most popular games list on April 19. 43K current online and 118K most of all today online.

What sets Rematch apart is its clear and simple pitch: "Rocket League but with feet." It’s not trying to simulate the entire sport like FIFA. Instead, it drops you into the cleats of a single player on a 5-person squad, turning the whole match into a tightly coordinated brawl for possession, angles, and glory. No AI teammates, no overhead tactical view—just you, your squad, and your skill.

If that sounds like chaos, you’re not wrong. But according to early players and previews, it’s the kind of chaos that works. Rematch draws heavily from Sloclap’s roots in combat games. This is the studio behind Absolver and Sifu, two titles known for their deep melee systems and precise timing. Rematch translates that mastery of movement and positioning into the world of sports, where tackles, feints, and breakaway plays feel as tight and satisfying as any fighting game combo.

Where Rocket League plays like a physics sandbox, Rematch keeps its mechanics more grounded. You’re not flipping through the air or bouncing balls off walls—you’re dribbling, passing, and lining up shots with purpose. That shift might turn off players looking for acrobatic nonsense, but it opens the door to a totally different kind of competitive energy. One where soccer instincts, spacing, and raw teamwork shine through.

The controls are closer to a traditional sports game, which might feel a bit more familiar to fans of FIFA, but the overall loop is still fast, arcade-like, and intensely social. It’s the kind of game where shouting at your teammates over Discord is part of the experience—and where last-minute goals can cause full-on mic-breaking celebrations.

Sloclap's creative director, Pierre Tarno, told PC Gamer that going free-to-play was never on the table. Rematch will launch on June 19 for $30, with Tarno emphasizing that “the best way—or maybe actually the only way—to make a commercial success is to just make a very good game.” No battle passes, no live service hooks—just a premium game that aims to stand on gameplay alone.

It might just work. The beta’s success isn’t just hype. It’s a genuine signal that Rematch has tapped into something players want: a fast, fun, competitive sports game that’s easy to jump into but tough to master. With FIFA sticking to its sim roots and Rocket League existing in its own high-flying niche, Rematch feels like the first new contender in years to bring a fresh spin to digital soccer.

If you want to check it out, the open beta is still live on Steam. Just hit the “Request Access” button on the page, wait a minute, and you’ll be in. And judging by the 100K players already on the field, you won’t be short on competition.