You probably missed the boat. Honestly, that's the toughest pill to swallow for anyone trying to figure out how to get Rocket League on Steam in 2026. If you head over to the Steam store right now and type it in, you’ll see the soundtrack. You’ll see some DLC packs if you’re lucky. But the actual game? It’s just not there for sale. It hasn't been since 2020.
Psyonix, the developers, got bought by Epic Games. It was a massive deal. Almost overnight, the game shifted to a free-to-play model and migrated its primary home to the Epic Games Store. Steam users who already owned it got to keep it, but for everyone else, the "Add to Cart" button vanished.
It’s frustrating. Steam has the community features, the workshop support is easier to manage, and let’s be real, we all just like having our library in one place. But don't give up yet. There are still ways to make it happen, though some are a bit more "grey market" than others.
The Reality of the Steam Delisting
When Epic Games acquired Psyonix, they didn't just want the revenue; they wanted the user base. By making the game free-to-play on their own launcher, they forced millions of new players into the Epic ecosystem. If you didn’t buy the game on Steam before September 23, 2020, you officially lost the chance to get it through "normal" means.
Existing players weren't punished, though. If you have it in your library from the 2015-2020 era, you can still download it, play it, and even get updates. The game still uses the Steamworks API for those users. But for a fresh account? You’re looking at a closed door.
Why People Still Want the Steam Version
It isn't just about being a "Steam elitist." There are functional reasons why the Steam version of Rocket League is still considered the "gold standard" by pro players and enthusiasts.
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- The Steam Workshop: This is the big one. If you want to play custom dribbling maps, obstacle courses, or Rings maps to improve your aerial car control, Steam makes this a one-click process. On Epic, you have to use third-party tools like BakkesMod or manually swap map files in the game directory. It’s a chore.
- Controller Support: Steam Input is incredibly robust. If you’re using a PS5 DualSense or a Nintendo Switch Pro controller, Steam handles the deadzones and mapping effortlessly.
- Profile Customization: Let’s be honest, having a custom avatar and a profile that shows your 5,000 hours of playtime matters to some people. Epic feels a bit more "utility" focused.
How to Get Rocket League on Steam Right Now
So, you’re determined. You want that Steam icon. Here are the only real ways to do it, ranked from "most likely" to "expensive and risky."
1. Digging Through Your Old Accounts
You’d be surprised how many people actually bought Rocket League back in 2016 during a Steam Summer Sale and just forgot. Since the game is now "hidden" from the store, it won't show up in searches.
Go to your Account Details in the Steam client, click on View Purchase History, and search for Psyonix or Rocket League. If it’s there, you can just install it. It doesn’t matter that it’s delisted; your license is permanent. Check your old emails too. Search for "Thank you for your Steam purchase."
2. Hunting Down Physical Steam Keys
This is the "Holy Grail" method. Before the delisting, many third-party retailers sold digital keys for the game. Sites like Amazon, Humble Bundle, and even some brick-and-mortar stores had "Steam Edition" boxes that contained a code.
Here is the catch: because these keys are no longer being generated, the supply is finite. Simple economics took over. A game that used to cost $20 now has keys selling for $400, $500, or even more on secondary markets.
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A Warning on Key Resellers: If you use sites like G2A, Kinguin, or Eneba, you are taking a risk. Make sure the key specifically says "Steam" and "Global" or your specific region. If you buy an "Epic Games" key, you’ve just spent a lot of money for something you can get for free. Also, be wary of "Account Selling." Buying a Steam account with Rocket League on it is a direct violation of Valve's Terms of Service, and the original owner can reclaim the account at any time through Steam Support.
3. Family Sharing (The "Partial" Solution)
If you have a close friend or a sibling who owns Rocket League on Steam, they can technically share their library with you through Steam Family Sharing.
You'll be able to download the game and play it. However, there are massive caveats here. First, you can't play at the same time as the owner. Second, Psyonix disabled competitive matchmaking for family-shared accounts years ago to prevent smurfing. You can play casual matches and use the Workshop, but you won’t be climbing the ranks in 3v3.
What About BakkesMod?
If your main goal for how to get Rocket League on Steam is actually just about the features (like the Workshop), you might not actually need the Steam version.
BakkesMod is a third-party injection tool that is almost universally used by the Rocket League community. It works perfectly on the Epic Games version. It allows you to:
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- Use any cosmetic item in the game (only you can see them).
- View MMR (Matchmaking Rating) in real-time.
- Load Workshop maps directly into the game.
- Use advanced freeplay training tools.
Basically, BakkesMod bridges the gap between the Epic version and the Steam version. It’s free, it’s legal (Psyonix has stated they won't ban for it), and it saves you $500 on a secondary market key.
Technical Workarounds for the Workshop
If you are on the Epic Games version and desperately want those Steam Workshop maps, there is a workaround involving a tool called Rocket League Map Loader.
Essentially, you go to the Steam Workshop website in a browser, copy the URL of the map you want (like Lethamyr's Giant Rings), and use a downloader to grab the .udk or .upk file. You then drop this into your Epic Games folder, usually under TAGame\CookedPCConsole. It’s not as elegant as the Steam "Subscribe" button, but it works.
Summary of Actionable Steps
If you are still looking to bridge the gap between platforms, follow this sequence:
- Audit your history: Check every old Steam account you or your family might have. If you find a license, you’re golden.
- Verify the price: If you are looking at keys, check current prices on reputable sites, but never pay more than you’re willing to lose. If a deal looks too good to be true (like a Steam key for $20), it is almost certainly a scam or an Epic key mislabeled.
- Optimize the Epic Version: If the Steam version is out of reach, download the game on Epic and immediately install BakkesMod. This gives you 90% of the Steam experience for zero dollars.
- Connect Accounts: No matter where you play, make sure you link your platforms on the Rocket League Activate site. This ensures that if you do eventually find a Steam key, your progress, ranks, and items will sync across both platforms.
The window for getting the game on Steam for a reasonable price has largely closed. Unless you’re a collector or a high-level creator who needs the specific Steam API integration, the free Epic Games version—enhanced with BakkesMod—is the most logical path forward for 99% of players. Focus on the gameplay, not the launcher icon. The ball still bounces the same way on every platform.
Double-check your "Hidden" games list in the Steam Library settings before spending a dime. Sometimes the game is there, just tucked away by an accidental click years ago. Right-click your library, go to "Hidden Games," and pray. If it's not there, Epic is your new home.