Squads are the starting teams for a Campaign run, and each one plays by its own rules. Tape to Tape 1.0 has 19 of them. Six are open from the start, and the other 13 unlock through challenges you complete during runs.
Quick Answer
Tape to Tape has 19 Squads. Six are available by default, including 16-Bit, Modern and Violence, and the remaining 13 unlock through Campaign challenges. Select a locked Squad on the Squad screen to see its requirement, and note that some Squads only unlock by winning a run.
Squads you start with
Six Squads are open from your first run. The 1.0 hotfix on October 24, 2026 added three of them to the starting list.
| Squad | What makes it different |
|---|---|
| 16-Bit Squad | Blue ice, speed bursts and retro sound effects |
| Modern Squad | Offsides and manual poke checks |
| Violence Squad | Explosions and powerful bodychecks |
| Vanilla Squad | A balanced team for any playstyle |
The rest of the starting six are basic Squads like Vanilla, built for learning the Campaign.
How the other 13 Squads unlock
The remaining 13 Squads unlock through Campaign challenges, the same system that unlocks players, Power-ups, Relics and Benchwarmers. Once a Squad unlocks, it stays unlocked for every later run.
Some Squads, along with some unlocks and difficulties, can only be earned by winning a full run. If the Squad you want needs a win, pick a Squad you're comfortable with and play to finish the Campaign.
Note: the October 24 hotfix also changed some of the remaining unlock conditions, so read the requirement in-game rather than following an older guide.
Where to check a Squad's requirement
The game tells you: "Every squad plays differently. Check locked squads to learn how to unlock them."
Start a new run
Open the Campaign and start a new run to reach the Squad selection screen.
Select a locked Squad
Highlight the locked Squad you want. Its unlock requirement appears there.
Play toward it
Pick an unlocked Squad and play runs that work on that requirement. If it needs a run win, focus on finishing the Campaign.
To start a run with a Squad you've just unlocked, see how to change your Campaign team.
Campaign Squads and Play Now
Squads belong to the Campaign. Play Now, Tournament and Shootout are separate modes with their own team selection, so unlocking a Squad is about your Campaign options. See Tape to Tape game modes for the other modes.
For players rather than teams, see how to unlock superstars.
FAQ
Complete Campaign challenges. Select a locked Squad on the Squad screen to see its requirement; some need a full run win.
No. All three have been available by default since the October 24, 2026 hotfix.
- There are 19 Squads in total, and six are open from the start.
Not all of them. Some Squads need a run win, but most unlock through their own challenges.
On the Squad selection screen. Select the locked Squad and its requirement is shown there.