The Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) is the official premier global esports circuit for Overwatch 2. Launched in 2024, it replaced the Overwatch League with an open circuit format, meaning any team can compete and earn their way to the top based on skill. This has created a more dynamic and accessible path for aspiring players worldwide. The series is operated by Blizzard Entertainment in partnership with the ESL FACEIT Group.
Why is the OWCS a Big Deal?
The OWCS represents a new philosophy for Overwatch esports. Its open format has allowed for incredible underdog stories and a constantly shifting landscape of top teams. The 2025 season was defined by major storylines, including the rise of the EMEA region, which broke years of Korean dominance by winning the World Finals, and the significant impact of Saudi Arabian investment in teams and league operations.
How Does the Competition Work?
The competitive year is structured into stages, combining regional online play with major international live events.
1.Four Major Regions: The world is divided into North America (NA), EMEA (Europe, Middle East, & North Africa), Asia (Korea, Japan, & Pacific), and China.
2.The Path to Glory: Each stage follows a clear progression from Open Qualifiers to a Regular Season and finally a Regional Tournament to crown champions and determine who moves on to the international majors.
3.Promotion and Relegation: To keep the competition fierce, lower-performing teams must defend their spots against top challenger teams from qualifier leagues like the FACEIT League (NA/EMEA).
When and Where to Watch the OWCS
Following the OWCS is easier than ever. All regular season matches and international tournaments are broadcast live and for free. Here’s your guide to catching all the action.
Where to Watch: Official Broadcasts
The primary way to watch the OWCS is on the official Overwatch Esports channels. You can choose between two main platforms:
- Twitch: The official channel is ow_esports. This is often the best platform for earning viewership rewards (drops).
- YouTube: The official channel is Overwatch Esports. This is a great place to catch live matches and watch VODs (Video on Demand) of any games you missed.
For regional broadcasts, especially for the Asia region, there are dedicated channels:
- Korean: Broadcasts on YouTube, ChZZk, and AfreecaTV.
- Japanese: Broadcasts on YouTube and the WDG and PlayOverwatchJP Twitch channels.
Do You Need a VPN for OWCS?
The OWCS broadcasts themselves are not geo-blocked by Blizzard or the tournament organizers. However, if you live in a country where Twitch or YouTube are blocked (such as China, Iran, North Korea, Turkmenistan, or other regions with internet restrictions), you will need a VPN to access the streams.
For viewers in these countries:
- Use a reliable VPN service to connect to a server in a country where Twitch and YouTube are accessible.
- Popular VPN options include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or other trusted providers.
- Connect to the VPN before opening Twitch or YouTube to watch the OWCS broadcasts.
For viewers in countries without platform restrictions, no VPN is needed – the streams are completely free and accessible.
Alternative Viewing: Co-Streaming
Many popular Overwatch streamers, content creators, and former pro players host co-streams of the matches. This can be a fun way to watch, as they provide their own commentary, analysis, and reactions. Check your favorite streamer’s schedule to see if they are co-streaming an event.
When to Watch OWCS?
The OWCS season runs for most of the year.
While regional play schedules vary, the major international events are the highlights of the calendar.
2025 Season (Completed)
| Event | Location | Venue | Date |
| Stage 1: Champions Clash | Hangzhou, China | Hangzhou Esports Center | Early 2025 |
| Stage 2: Midseason Championship | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | TBD | July 2025 |
| Stage 3: World Finals | Stockholm, Sweden | Stockholmsmässan | November 26-30, 2025 |
2026 Season (Upcoming)
The OWCS 2026 season will feature regional stages across all four regions (NA, EMEA, Asia, China), with teams qualifying for a global Live Event. Specific dates and locations will be announced on the official Overwatch Esports channels.
Other 2026 Events:
| Event | Date | Details |
| OWCS Pre-Season Bootcamp | February 2026 | Seoul, Korea – Partner Teams only |
| Collegiate Championship (National Open) | Feb 19 – Apr 26, 2026 | Finals: April 23-26, 2026 (live event) |
| Overwatch World Cup 2026 | Summer 2026 (Group Stage) | Finals at BlizzCon 2026, Anaheim |
To keep up with the daily and weekly match schedules, the best resources are:
•The official Overwatch Esports Website.
•The official @ow_esports X (formerly Twitter) account.
•Community-run sites like Liquipedia, which have detailed schedules for all regions.
Viewership Rewards (Drops)
Blizzard offers in-game rewards for watching live matches on Twitch and YouTube. These “drops” can include skins, sprays, icons, and Battle Pass tier skips. To earn them:
1.Link Your Accounts: Connect your Battle.net account to your Twitch and/or YouTube account.
2.Tune In: Watch official live broadcasts on the eligible channels during the specified time windows.
3.Claim Your Rewards: You may need to claim your drops on Twitch after earning them. They will then appear in your Overwatch 2 account.
Reward campaigns are announced before each major event on the official Overwatch Esports website and social media.
Who Are the Stars of the OWCS?
The 2025 season was defined by a mix of legendary veterans and explosive new talent.
- Team of the Year: Twisted Minds were crowned the 2025 World Champions, led by the Player of the Year, Ibrahem “Quartz” Alali.
- Top Contenders: Other powerhouse teams to watch include Team Falcons, Al Qadsiah, and Crazy Raccoon.
- Must-Watch Players: Keep an eye on rookie sensation Ziyad “ZIYAD” Alkathiri (Tank), decorated veteran Kim “Proper” Dong-hyun (DPS), and master support player Kim “Shu” Jin-seo.
