Mario Kart gets a competitive shake-up: New Mario Kart World update adds Knockout Tour team races and expands matchmaking strategy

A new Mario Kart update is changing how players approach the most chaotic mode in Mario Kart World. Version 1.5.0, released late January 21, 2026, introduces team racing in Knockout Tour for online and local wireless rooms—turning what used to be a 24-player free-for-all into a mode where coordination, point management, and survival tactics matter just as much as raw speed.

It’s a relatively small patch on paper, but it targets a big pain point for groups: you can now queue with friends and compete as a unit, rather than hoping you don’t accidentally sabotage each other in the same elimination run.

Mario Kart World update 1.5.0: what changed

The headline feature is simple: team races are now available in Knockout Tour when you’re playing in a room via online play or local wireless. The update also adds Polish language support and includes several fixes aimed at stability and online accuracy.

• Team races added to Knockout Tour for room-based online and local wireless play

• Polish language support added through system language settings

• Fixes include a crash/end-of-game issue tied to Choco Mountain, plus an online rating display issue when joining “Everyone” while in a room

• Additional behind-the-scenes improvements intended to smooth overall gameplay

Knockout Tour team races: how the new format works

Knockout Tour is built around pressure: 24 drivers race through linked segments with five checkpoints, and the bottom four are eliminated at each checkpoint until only four remain. Until now, that tension was strictly individual. With 1.5.0, players in a room can choose team formats:

• 2 teams (12 vs. 12)

• 3 teams (8 vs. 8 vs. 8)

• 4 teams (6 vs. 6 vs. 6 vs. 6)

If a room doesn’t fill, CPU drivers can be used to complete the field. The in-race interface also becomes more team-readable: near checkpoints, the tally of who cleared includes team colors, making it easier to judge whether your side is thriving or collapsing.

Scoring changes: why finishing high suddenly matters more

The most important strategic shift isn’t just “race as a team”—it’s how points are weighted. In Knockout Tour team races, top placements are rewarded heavily, making the final stretch dramatically more valuable than simply “not getting eliminated.”

A key scoring example shared with the update:

• 1st: 50 points

• 2nd: 40

• 3rd: 35

• 4th: 30

• Drivers eliminated at the very first checkpoint earn 1 point

That scoring structure pushes teams toward a new kind of decision-making. A “sacrifice play” (one teammate slowing rivals with items while another breaks away) can be worth it. Likewise, a team that consistently gets multiple drivers into the final four can snowball the points race quickly. There’s also a decisive endgame twist: if the same team occupies all four remaining spots at the final checkpoint, that team is guaranteed the win—so late-race coordination can effectively end the contest before the finish line drama.

“Support from the sideline”: eliminated players still influence the vibe

Another notable quality-of-life addition: eliminated players can stay in the session as spectators. You can follow specific drivers with the camera and use a preset comment system to react during the remainder of the race. It’s not gameplay-changing, but it keeps groups engaged instead of turning elimination into a forced downtime.

Why this matters for Mario Kart’s online scene

Mario Kart thrives on “party chaos,” but its competitive online community has been hungry for modes that reward coordination without requiring an esports-level ruleset. Team Knockout Tour threads that needle: it’s still unpredictable, still item-heavy, still hilarious—yet now it offers a reason to form groups, communicate, and develop repeatable strategies.

It also subtly improves matchmaking social dynamics. Previously, friends joining the same room could unintentionally ruin each other’s runs. Now, the mode is explicitly designed for group play, which should reduce frustration and keep squads playing longer.

A short historical context: team-based racing and battles have always been a key part of Mario Kart’s identity, from classic team battles in earlier entries to the more modern push toward online party play. What’s new here is the fusion of team play with an elimination structure—turning Knockout Tour into something closer to a survival ladder where teamwork can decide who even gets a chance to score big.

FAQ

Is the new Mario Kart team mode available in all online matches?
No. Team races for Knockout Tour are available when playing in a room in online play or local wireless.

Can I play Knockout Tour team races with fewer than 24 people?
Yes. If there aren’t enough human players, CPU drivers can fill remaining spots.

Does this update add new tracks or characters?
This patch focuses on team functionality, language support, and fixes rather than major new content.

The next thing to watch is whether future Mario Kart World updates build on this by adding more room tools—customized Knockout Tour setups, expanded team options, or competitive rule toggles. For now, Sunday-night friend groups and online rooms just got a new reason to queue up: surviving together is finally a real strategy.