2020 has been a strange year for esports, and Overwatch hasn’t been any different. While they found a way to move forward with the Overwatch League (OWL) regular season, the Overwatch World Cup offers a new set of challenges. OWL management isn’t ruling it out completely yet, however.
The Overwatch World Cup could happen at Blizzcon in February
One thing seems certain, the Overwatch World Cup won’t happen in 2020. In the past, Blizzcon, Activision Blizzard’s annual convention, hosted the event. Activision Blizzard canceled Blizzcon 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will now happen virtually online on February 19 and 20 in 2021.
OWL senior manager of League Operations Adam Mierzejewski told The Game Haus that the Overwatch World Cup could happen in February “if things change, and we are in a better state, and miracles happen.”
OWL’s Senior Manager of Product Strategy Sean Miller told the outlet that “we love the world cup” and “we want to make it happen.” This indicates that they are actively looking for ways to make the event possible.
Possible strategies for hosting the event
Despite COVID-19 putting so many live events on hold, various sports and esports leagues have found ways to make them happen. The NBA and the NHL both held their playoffs in a bubble format where people couldn’t enter or leave without following strict rules. The Overwatch World Cup could follow a similar format. If the event were to take place over the course of a few days, a small bubble seems perfectly feasible. There is still plenty of time to work out the details for travel and accommodations.
It’s no secret that it has been a rough year for the OWL. The Overwatch World Cup could help spark some more interest in Overwatch esports and it’s surely something fans want to see. Be sure to stay tuned for more information on the event.
