After six seasons, the Overwatch League (OWL) appears to be coming to an end. A Blizzard spokesperson recently confirmed to Engadget that the company is transitioning from the Overwatch League and evolving competitive Overwatch in a new direction. This announcement comes after the layoffs of around 50 esports staff by Activision Blizzard in July, and the revelation that after the 2023 season, OWL team owners would hold a vote to determine whether they’d continue with the league. Should teams opt out of the league, Activision Blizzard would pay each of them a termination fee of $6 million. It is unclear whether the vote has taken place and if so, what the results were.
The uncertain future of the Overwatch League has led to several teams either leaving the league or suspending operations altogether. OverActive Media, the owner of OWL team Toronto Defiant, confirmed that it was leaving the league and ending its team participation agreement, with a plan to receive a $6 million termination payment from Activision Blizzard. This move has not deterred the company from staying involved in Overwatch esports, with a statement from Adam Adamou, cofounder and CEO of OverActive Media, expressing anticipation for the opportunities that lie ahead and plans to return to Overwatch esports.
These departures are a clear indication of the challenges the OWL has been facing. The Chengdu Hunters did not participate in the 2023 season and recently announced their departure from the league. Additionally, several teams have released players and suspended operations, leaving the league in a state of uncertainty. The Florida Mayhem’s players and staff entered free agency shortly after the OWL championship, while Blizzard stated that it was “focusing on building our vision of a revitalized esports program.”
These troubles haven’t come out of nowhere. Initially, the OWL was built on a vision of a global home-and-away league format, a plan that never fully materialized. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to shift to an online-only format, preventing teams from earning live event revenue. Other challenges, such as viewership struggles, sponsors dropping out, and the scandal surrounding Activision Blizzard, have only added to the league’s woes.
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Despite these difficulties, the future of professional Overwatch is uncertain, with reports suggesting a potential return to a more open format as the next step. Rumors suggest that a Blizzard-backed Overwatch 2 tournament and the 2024 pro Overwatch season, which is said to be run by the Saudi Arabian state-owned ESL FACEIT Group, may be on the horizon. In the meantime, a Blizzard-backed Overwatch 2 tournament that features regional prize pools of $50,000 and veteran OWL players is getting underway.
While the future of the Overwatch League remains unclear, one thing is for certain – the league has brought intense competition and captivating moments to fans over the years. As the esports landscape continues to evolve, the path forward for the Overwatch community will likely present new opportunities for growth and innovation. It remains to be seen what the near future holds for Overwatch esports, but one thing is for sure: the passion and dedication of players, teams, and fans will continue to drive the lasting impact of the game in the world of esports.
