update · November 26, 2025
Apex Legends Matchmaking Deep Dive Details Ranked Tests and Duos Population Fixes
Developers break down the results of the 26.1 Ranked matchmaking test, explain why Duos lobbies were cut to 30 players, and rule out solo-only queue separation.
Apex Legends developers released a detailed breakdown of current matchmaking metrics, outlining why certain restrictive changes work while others remain off the table due to population math.
Ranked 26.1 Test Results
The 26.1 test successfully restricted Masters players from matching with Platinum and lower tiers, limiting them only to Diamond and fellow Masters. While the test succeeded in narrowing skill disparity during late Split 2, lower overall player counts in higher tiers for Season 26 created longer queue waits when matchmaking was restricted.
Duos Lobby Changes
Duos matches were reduced to 30 players with adjusted map rings to combat a sharp decline in player population following the introduction of the Wildcard mode. The shift successfully stabilized queue times and skill width, and developers have no plans to revert the mode to 60 players.
Why Solo Queuing Won't Be Separated
Splitting solo players into exclusive solo-only lobbies and premade squads into separate matches would cut the active player pool in half. Developers noted this split would double queue wait times and worsen match skill-width, pointing to current Duos population data as proof of the strain.
Why this patch matters
Population remains the primary bottleneck for Apex Legends matchmaking, forcing developers to balance tight skill brackets against acceptable queue wait times.