The Overwatch League (OWL) was a professional esports league for the video game Overwatch, produced by its developer, Blizzard Entertainment. From 2018 to 2023, the Overwatch League followed the model of other traditional North American professional sporting leagues by using a set of permanent, city-based teams backed by separate ownership groups. The league used the regular season and playoffs format rather than promotion and relegation used commonly in other esports and non-North American leagues, with players on the roster being assured a minimum annual salary, benefits, and a portion of winnings and revenue-sharing based on team performance.
The esports training facilities for the Dallas Fuel
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was one of the first businesspeople approached to own an Overwatch League team.
Blizzard Arena hosted nearly every Overwatch League match from 2018 to 2019.
The London Spitfire won the 2018 Grand Finals.
Esports, short for electronic sports, is a form of competition using video games. Esports often takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, played individually or as teams.
Players competing in a League of Legends tournament
Attendees of the 1981 Space Invaders Championships attempt to set the highest score.
Players competing the first QuakeCon in 1996
The League of Legends World Championship is an annual League of Legends tournament that rotates its venues around the world.