Blizzard recently unveiled an exciting new collaboration aimed at revitalizing Overwatch 2 esports on a grand scale in 2024.
Blizzard has announced an exclusive, multi-year partnership with esports company ESL FACEIT Group for Overwatch 2 esports events. Previously, professional Overwatch esports events were held as part of the now-defunct Overwatch League.
The Overwatch League lasted from 2017 to 2023, with six seasons each culminating in a Grand Finals championship match. London Spitfire won in 2018, San Francisco Shock won back-to-back years in 2019 and 2020, Shanghai Dragons took home the crown in 2021, Dallas Fuel claimed victory in 2022, and Florida Mayhem won the final Overwatch League season in 2023. The Overwatch League may have come to an end, but Blizzard isn't giving up on Overwatch 2 esports.
The newly-announced partnership between Blizzard and ESL FACEIT Group will see the formation of the Overwatch Champions Series, or OWCS. The OWCS is described as an "esports circuit that is open, always-on, and global" with players from North America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia all able to participate. The OWCS will have qualifiers and tournament events that culminate "with two live in-person international events." Two tournaments will be held in 2024. First, eight Overwatch 2 teams will compete in Dallas, Texas from May 31 to June 2 as part of the DreamHack Dallas Major double-elimination tournament. Then the World Finals tournament will be held in Sweden as part of DreamHack Stockholm from November 22 to November 24. The winner of this tournament will claim the first OWCS Championship.
Overwatch Championship Series Tournaments
Since Xbox completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Overwatch 2 fans have been more optimistic about the hero-shooter's future. The upcoming Overwatch 2 Season 9 sounds like it's going to make a lot of fan favorite changes that could go a long way in not only attracting new players, but bringing in lapsed players as well. This revitalization of Overwatch 2's esports scene could also play a role in drumming up more interest in the game, but some fans still upset about the Overwatch League's closure may not be convinced.
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