Can your squad queue Ranked?
EA: everyone in a premade squad has to be within two ranks of each other. Your squad spans 2 ranks, Gold to Diamond.
Matched at the highest RP in the squad β Player 2, Diamond.
- Season 31 (from 3 November 2026): any match with Diamond or higher players uses Legend bans β with Diamond in the squad, yours will. Each player nominates one Legend and the bans are drawn at random, weighted by votes, so have a backup ready.
- Right at the limit: if the highest player climbs a tier before the lowest does, this trio can't queue together any more.
Shaded: the tiers a player can be in and still queue with this squad β Gold to Diamond. Diamond and up (red line) turns on Season 31 Legend bans.
EA's own figures, from its matchmaking test write-up of 30 September 2026.
No squadmate in range?
The two-rank rule and "the highest RP value in your premade squad" are EA Help's, as read on 1 November 2026; EA notes the rules can change during temporary tests, and the Season 31 patch notes weren't out on 2 November 2026. EA lists Apex Predator as its own tier, so Master and Predator count as neighbours here β EA doesn't say so in as many words. Legend bans: EA's Ranked Roadmap, 20 October 2026.
How Apex's premade rule works
EA's rule fits in one line: "All players in a premade Ranked squad have to be within two ranks of each other. If they aren't, matchmaking will fail." A rank here is a tier β Rookie, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, Apex Predator β and divisions don't count. EA's own example: a Bronze player can queue with Rookie, Bronze, Silver and Gold players, but not Platinum or higher. In a trio the two players furthest apart decide it.
Once you're in, "you'll be matched against other squads using the highest RP value in your premade squad". Bringing a lower-ranked friend doesn't lower your lobbies β it pulls your friend up into yours. From Season 31 (3 November 2026), any match with Diamond or higher players also runs a Legend ban vote: each player nominates one Legend and the bans are drawn at random, weighted by the votes. EA hasn't said how many Legends are banned per match.
Who can queue with whom
| Your tier |  Rookie |  Bronze |  Silver |  Gold |  Platinum |  Diamond |  Master |  Predator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rookie |
β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue |
| Bronze |
β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue |
| Silver |
β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue |
| Gold |
β cannot queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue |
| Platinum |
β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β cannot queue |
| Diamond |
β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue |
| Master |
β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue |
| Predator |
β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β cannot queue | β can queue | β can queue | β can queue |
β β EA's two-rank rule allows the pair. Predator counted as the tier above Master.
What EA tested in 2026
- May 2026 β solo players matchmake against opponents of a slightly lower skill tier in Ranked and Unranked, to "reduce the advantage of full premade squads".
- Season 29 test β solo queue only from Diamond up: on EA's measure, Diamond+ duos returned 16.6% less and premades 20.9% less than in Seasons 26β28. "We are not rolling out the solo queue experiment as a permanent requirement."
- One-tier premade test (results published 30 September 2026) β Diamond players met about 8% fewer Diamonds and 8% more Platinum players. "At this time, we are not making the one-tier restriction permanent."
- 3 November 2026 β Season 31: Legend bans in matches with Diamond+ players. EA has promised more premade work for Seasons 31 and 32 β check each season's patch notes.
- EA Help β How Apex Legends Ranked works β tiers, RP per division, entry costs, scoring, the split-two reset table and premade squads (updated about September 2026, read 1 November 2026)
- EA β Breaking Down Matchmaking Test Results β premade win rates, the one-tier and solo-only tests (30 September 2026)
- EA β Overclocked Patch Notes (Season 29) β solo players matched against a slightly lower skill tier (4 May 2026)
- EA β Apex Legends Ranked Roadmap (Seasons 31 and 32) β Legend bans, Challenger and Goliath lobbies, demotion shields, account level 20 (20 October 2026)
- EA β New Updates Coming with Apex Legends: Cipher β Legend bans in Diamond lobbies and above (29 October 2026)
- EA Help β How to play with friends β cross-play (updated about September 2026, read 1 November 2026)
- Checked 2 November 2026 β the Season 31 patch notes weren't out yet; we'll update this page when they are.
Related Apex Legends guides
FAQ
Common questions
Why can't I queue ranked with my friend in Apex?
Your ranks are more than two apart. EA requires every player in a premade Ranked squad to be within two ranks of each other, or matchmaking fails β a Bronze player can queue with Rookie, Silver and Gold players, but not Platinum or higher.
Can Diamond queue with Platinum in Apex?
Yes. Diamond can queue with Gold, Platinum, Master and β counting it as the next tier, as EA's tier list does β Apex Predator. Rookie, Bronze and Silver are too far away.
What RP is my Apex squad matched at?
The highest RP in the premade. EA matches you against other squads using the highest RP value in your squad, so a lower-ranked friend plays in your lobbies.
Do Legend bans apply to my squad in Season 31?
From 3 November 2026 any match with Diamond or higher players uses Legend bans. If anyone in your squad is Diamond or higher, your matches will; if not, a Diamond+ player elsewhere in the lobby can still bring them.
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