Here’s everything to know about the exclusive and multi-year agreement between Blizzard and EFG.

Blizzard Entertainment and ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) have announced the Overwatch Champions Series as the successor to the Overwatch League. Read on for details.

Overwatch Champions Series banner (Image via Blizzard Entertainment and ESL FACEIT Group)
Overwatch Champions Series banner (Image via Blizzard Entertainment and ESL FACEIT Group)

Blizzard and EFG announce Overwatch Champions Series

A multi-year agreement between Blizzard and EFG will make the Overwatch Champions Series the successor to the Overwatch League. The agreement will also allow Blizzard to leverage EFG's suite of properties to create a competitive Overwatch 2 community, according to the announcement.

Orisa, Widowmaker, Mauga, Junker Queen, and Junkrat (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)
Orisa, Widowmaker, Mauga, Junker Queen, and Junkrat (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

“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,” Overwatch 2 executive producer Jared Neuss said.

OWCS 2024 schedule (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)
OWCS 2024 schedule (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

What does this mean for the esports scene?

According to the announcement, the Overwatch Champions Series will be an open one for players across North America (NA), Europe, Middle East, and North Africa (EMEA), and Asia. There will also be a circuit that will operate under WDG, which is a tournament organizer based in Korea.

DreamHack Dallas Major and Overwatch Champions Series World Finals

The announcement then stated that each region will get its own set of open qualifiers and tournaments. These events will lead up to two in-person events, namely the DreamHack Dallas Major taking place between May 31 and June 2 and the Overwatch Champions Series World Finals taking place between Nov. 22 and Nov. 24 at DreamHack Stockholm.

Zenyatta, Junkrat, Mauga, Junker Queen, Ana, and Widowmaker (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)
Zenyatta, Junkrat, Mauga, Junker Queen, Ana, and Widowmaker (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

"FACEIT will offer a rich and consistent schedule of events and content that creates a clear path to pro play for aspiring OWCS stars," according to the announcement. "Furthermore, the platform will support tournament organizers and community leaders looking to produce third-party competitions and community experiences."

Orisa, Genji, and Tracer in the game (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)
Orisa, Genji, and Tracer in the game (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

That's all for now. Stick around on esports.gg for more Overwatch 2 news and updates.