In an exciting new alliance, Blizzard hopes to significantly revive Overwatch 2 esports by 2024.
HIGHLIGHTS
- For Overwatch 2 esports, Blizzard teams up with ESL Faceit Group to create the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS), which attracts players from all around the world.
- As part of the OWCS, there will be two significant competitions in 2024.
- In the upcoming year, Overwatch 2 players can anticipate new game modes, heroes, maps, and an active esports environment.
For Overwatch 2 esports tournaments, Blizzard has announced an exclusive, multi-year relationship with the esports organization ESL FACEIT Group. Professional Overwatch esports competitions used to be a part of the Overwatch League, which is no longer in existence.
The Overwatch League spanned six seasons, each of which ended with a Grand Finals championship match, from 2017 to 2023. 2018 saw London Spitfire win, 2019 and 2020 saw San Francisco Shock win back-to-back, 2021 saw Shanghai Dragons win, 2022 saw Dallas Fuel win, and 2023 saw Florida Mayhem win the last Overwatch League season. Though the Overwatch League has concluded, Blizzard is determined to see the Overwatch 2 esports continue.
The Overwatch Champions Series, or OWCS, will be formed as a result of the recently announced collaboration between Blizzard and ESL FACEIT Group. With players able to compete from North America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, the OWCS is referred to as an “esports circuit that is open, always-on, and global.”. Qualifiers and tournament events will comprise the OWCS, which will conclude “with two live in-person international events.” In 2024, there will be two tournaments. First, from May 31 to June 2, eight Overwatch 2 teams will participate in the DreamHack Dallas Major double-elimination competition in Dallas, Texas. Then, from November 22 to November 24, the World Finals competition will take place in Sweden as a part of DreamHack Stockholm.The inaugural OWCS Championship will be awarded to the event champion.
Championship Series Tournaments for Overwatch
- May 31–June 2, DreamHack Dallas Major Double-Elimination Tournament
- DreamHack Stockholm World Finals: November 22–November 24
Ever since Activision Blizzard was fully acquired by Xbox, Overwatch 2 players have been more positive about the game’s future. Plenty of modifications that have been requested by fans are expected to be included in the forthcoming Overwatch 2 Season 9, which may help draw in both returning and new players. Though some players who are still furious over the Overwatch League’s collapse might not be persuaded, the revival of Overwatch 2’s esports scene may help spark interest in the game.
It’s certain that Overwatch 2 will have a very intriguing year in 2024. Fans of Overwatch 2 may anticipate new game modes, maps, heroes, and more in addition to the game’s recently established esports ecosystem. It will be interesting to observe how everything comes together in the coming months.