Overview

• Blizzard Entertainment and ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) have announced a multi-year deal to introduce the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS), a new international esports circuit for Overwatch 2.
• The OWCS will be an open-format circuit, allowing teams from North America, Europe, Middle East, North Africa (EMEA), and Asia to compete without paying franchise fees.
• Two major OWCS events will be hosted by EFG at its DreamHack Festivals in Dallas and Stockholm, featuring eight of the world's top teams competing for the championship title.
• The OWCS aims to provide a more inclusive and sustainable competitive scene, offering a clear path to professional play for aspiring stars and supporting third-party tournaments and community experiences.
• The announcement of the OWCS follows the demise of the Overwatch League, which ended in 2023 after six seasons due to various challenges including COVID-19, viewership struggles, and a sexual harassment scandal at Activision Blizzard.