About the brand ❤️
The Overwatch League was a professional global esports league built around the video game Overwatch (and later Overwatch 2). Created by Blizzard Entertainment, OWL introduced a franchised, city-based format — with permanent teams representing major cities in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its first season kicked off in 2018, with players on contract, minimum salaries, revenue sharing, and a structure more akin to traditional sports than typical esports tournaments. Over the years, OWL expanded to include up to 20 teams, high-profile investors from traditional sports, and international viewership. However, despite ambitious goals and early enthusiasm, operational and financial challenges, changing market dynamics, and strategic decisions by its parent company led to the league’s closure in 2024. The Overwatch League remains a landmark experiment in merging video-game competition with a professional-sports style business model.
Founded: 2016
Closed: 2024
Headquarters:
Santa Monica, California, United States of America (the)
Owner: Blizzard Entertainment
https://overwatchleague.com/