Blizzard Entertainment, the developer of the popular online shooter game Overwatch 2, has revealed its new plans for the future of Overwatch esports. After the end of the Overwatch League in 2023, Blizzard has partnered with ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), a leading esports company backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, to run the new Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) under an exclusive multi-year agreement. This marks a major shift in the structure and operation of Overwatch esports, as it moves from a franchised, closed league to an open, regional circuit.
EFG will operate the Overwatch Champions Series in North America and Europe, Middle East, North Africa (EMEA), while Korean esports tournament organizer WDG will oversee the Asia circuit. There will be regional qualifiers and tournaments held in the lead up to two in-person events later this year at DreamHack Dallas (May 31-June 2) and DreamHack Stockholm (November 22-24). Eight teams will compete at each event, with those qualifying for DreamHack Stockholm duking it out to become the first OWCS champions. That tournament will also mark the first top-level Overwatch competition in Europe in over five years. Qualifiers will start in Feburary. Additional details about the tournaments, including formats, ticket sales and prize pools, will be announced later.
Overwatch 2 Esports Aims to Be More Open, Inclusive and Sustainable
According to Blizzard, the new Overwatch Champions Series is designed to be more open, inclusive and sustainable than the previous Overwatch League. Any player who is interested in getting involved can use FACEIT’s community tools to find teammates and events to compete in, while an ongoing schedule of events “creates a clear path to pro play for aspiring OWCS stars.” In addition, Blizzard says that by making the most of EFG’s tools and capabilities, it will be able to create a better fan experience, support grassroots initiatives, and foster a healthy and diverse competitive scene. FACEIT will also support those looking to run third-party tournaments and community experiences.
“A thriving esports scene is important to a game as competitive as Overwatch 2, and we’re very excited to be entering this next era for the franchise with EFG,” the game’s executive producer Jared Neuss said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to working with them to deliver an amazing experience for players and fans around the world.”
Overwatch League Ends After Six Seasons of Ups and Downs
The Overwatch League, Blizzard’s ambitious pro circuit, came to an end in 2023 after six seasons. The league was launched in 2018 with 12 teams from across the globe, each paying a reported $20 million franchise fee. The league expanded to 20 teams in 2019 and introduced a city-based model, where teams would host home and away matches in their local markets. However, the league faced several challenges, such as declining viewership, high operational costs, player burnout, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the league to cancel live events and switch to online play. The league also faced criticism for its lack of diversity, representation and inclusion, as well as its handling of controversies involving players, teams and sponsors.
The day after the 2023 Grand Finals in October, Blizzard said it was “focusing on building our vision of a revitalized esports program.” Weeks later, a majority of teams voted to end their participation in the league, triggering a $6 million payment to each from Activision Blizzard, and hammering the final nail into OWL’s coffin. Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick’s grand vision for a franchised, city-based Overwatch esports league never quite worked out.
Overwatch 2 Esports Hopes to Attract New and Old Fans Alike
Overwatch 2, the sequel to the original game, is expected to launch in 2024. The game will feature new modes, maps, heroes and story content, as well as a revamped engine and user interface. The game will also be compatible with the original Overwatch, meaning that players can play together and access the same multiplayer content, regardless of which version they own. Blizzard hopes that Overwatch 2 will revitalize the game’s popularity and appeal to both new and old fans alike.
The same goes for Overwatch 2 esports, which aims to attract more players and viewers with its new partner and format. EFG, which also runs esports events for games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2 and Rocket League, has a proven track record of delivering high-quality and engaging esports experiences. The company also has a strong presence in the Middle East and North Africa, which could open up new opportunities and markets for Overwatch esports. EFG’s CEO Niccolo Maisto said that he is “thrilled to partner with Blizzard to usher in a new era of Overwatch esports.”
The Overwatch Champions Series will also offer more opportunities and flexibility for teams and players, who will no longer have to pay hefty franchise fees or relocate to different cities. The open-format circuit will allow teams from different regions to compete and qualify for global events, while also fostering local talent and communities. The OWCS will also feature Overwatch 2’s new game mode, Push, which is a symmetrical, tug-of-war style mode where teams compete to push a robot to the enemy’s base.
Overwatch 2 esports is set to begin in 2024, with the first qualifiers starting in Feburary. Fans can follow the latest news and updates on the official Overwatch Esports website and social media channels.
