Excitement is building as the eSports world gears up for one of its most anticipated events: the Overwatch World Cup (OWWC). After a three-year hiatus and significant changes in the eSports landscape, this year’s tournament is a major highlight on the gaming calendar. With 16 nations competing and a crowdfunded prize pool, fans, bettors, and casual viewers alike have much to look forward to.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Overwatch World Cup 2023, from the qualifying stage to the full schedule, participating teams, where to watch, and the coveted prize pool.
A Three-Year Hiatus and Many Changes
The Overwatch World Cup (OWWC) is making a grand return after a three-year hiatus, during which the world witnessed major developments in the eSports scene. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted events and training routines, while the transition to Overwatch 2 brought significant changes to the game’s meta.
The OWWC has witnessed a changing of the guard, with former champions and competitors retiring, opening the door for a new generation of talented players. As 16 nations prepare to compete, only one will emerge as the first Overwatch World Cup champion in this new era.
Qualifying for the OWWC 2023
The path to the Overwatch World Cup involved a series of programs to determine which teams would secure a spot at the LAN event. It all began with the Overwatch World Cup Trials held in February, where countries’ representatives were decided. These selected nations competed in Overwatch World Cup Qualifiers in June, vying for slots in the LAN Finals. An additional four teams earned their places through the “Wild Card Challenge.”
Out of all these teams, 15 advanced to the Overwatch World Cup Group Stages, set to commence on October 29. Notably, China received a direct invitation due to the “current dynamics in China.”
OWWC 2023 Format and Schedule
Here’s an overview of the format for the main event of the OWWC 2023:
Group Stage (October 29 – November 1)
The Group Stage is held online at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Sixteen teams are divided into four round-robin groups.
All matches are Ft2 (first to two).
The top eight teams advance to the live playoffs, while the bottom eight are eliminated.
Playoffs (November 3 – 4)
The Grand Finals are played in front of a live audience at the Anaheim Convention Center during Blizzcon.
All matches are played in a single-elimination bracket.
The total prize pool, to be announced, is partly funded by crowdfunding bundles that offer exclusive and rare in-game cosmetics. The prize pool for the previous OWWC was $90,000.
Meet the Competing Teams
Sixteen teams have battled their way to the Overwatch World Cup 2023 through rigorous online qualifiers and the World Cup trial. Notable teams to watch include Team South Korea, Team United Kingdom, and Team Canada. However, fans of xQC will be disappointed, as he won’t be on the roster this year.
Each country has a National Competition Committee responsible for organizing tryouts and selecting their national team’s players. While many of these players have showcased their skills in the Overwatch League earlier this year, the question remains: how will they perform on the international stage?
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