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Blizzard Entertainment has joined forces with global esports tournament operator ESL FACEIT Group to establish the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) as the main esports ecosystem for Overwatch 2.
This collaboration comes on the heels of the shutdown of the Overwatch League, the premier franchised esports league for the game.
The OWCS will feature open tournament circuits in North America, Europe, and Asia, with LAN tournaments held at DreamHack events.
The new competitive circuit is designed to be more traditional, open, always-on, and global, in contrast to the Overwatch League’s slot-based franchise model.
Unlike the Overwatch League, which was primarily North America-focused, the OWCS aims for a more international circuit.
The tournament will have open qualifiers and tournaments for players in North America, EMEA, and Asia, with the Asian operations organized by Korean tournament organizer WDG.
In 2024, the OWCS will include two major tournaments, the DreamHack Dallas Major in late May and June and the OWCS World Finals at DreamHack Stockholm.
These LAN events will showcase the top eight OWCS teams from around the world.
To enhance path-to-pro opportunities, Overwatch 2 esports will be integrated into the FACEIT platform.
FACEIT plans to provide a consistent schedule of events and content for aspiring OWCS players and support third-party competitions and experiences.
Craig Levine, Co-CEO of ESL FACEIT Group, emphasized the global experience the partnership aims to create, stating, “OWCS introduces a new era of Overwatch esports while honoring the traditions and passion built by Overwatch esports.”
Blizzard’s plans for OWCS represent a shift from the exclusive franchised model of the Overwatch League, focusing on creating more opportunities for players and fostering community engagement.
The circuit will be operated by EFG in North America and EMEA, while WDG will handle operations in Asia.
The OWCS structure aims to promote consistent, always-on events, providing a structured environment for teams to grow and develop.
The season will conclude with a finals tournament in Sweden in November, marking the return of tier-one Overwatch gameplay in Europe.
