Blizzard Entertainment
Summer might be winding down, but the Overwatch League is just getting started. We already announced nine city-based teams around the world, plus details about player salaries, roster signings, and the venue for the inaugural season. Now, we’re ready to reveal the final three teams for the first year of the Overwatch League, bringing the grand total to 12 teams, as well as important dates for the start of the league.
Historic Philadelphia is the latest US metropolis to add a franchise. It has been picked up by sports and entertainment company Comcast Spectacor, which—in addition to managing hundreds of stadiums, arenas, and other venues in the US, Canada, and Singapore—also owns the Philadelphia Flyers, a pro hockey team. Comcast Spectacor may have its roots in traditional sports, but esports has captured its attention.
“Comcast Spectacor is thrilled to play a central role in the Overwatch League’s inaugural season and energize the growing esports community in Philadelphia and beyond.”
Meanwhile, not one but two cities in Texas are planting their flags for the Overwatch League’s inaugural season. First is Dallas, where renowned esports organization Team Envy and their investor Hersh Interactive Group will draw upon their considerable experience in competitive Overwatch to contribute to the city’s famed reputation in pro sports.
“We are beyond excited to be joining the Overwatch League and helping to build the future of esports in Dallas.”
Finally, Houston will see its Overwatch League team established by OpTic Gaming. Known to their many fans as “the Green Wall,” OpTic Gaming will be eager to show that its prowess in first-person shooter titles like Call of Duty can translate into success at the pinnacle of Overwatch esports.
“It’s an absolute honor to represent the great city of Houston in the Overwatch League. This is another significant milestone in OpTic’s history and a testament to the loyal support of our fans. “
Now that we have our final slate of 12 teams for the inaugural season, it’s time to let you know when the Overwatch League will officially start. The preseason begins on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles with a series of exhibition matches featuring all of the teams—the world’s first chance to see Overwatch League professionals in action. The inaugural season proper kicks off on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 and will continue into June, followed by championship playoffs and finals in July. We look forward to announcing more information about the league’s schedule and format in the coming months, including how to get tickets to the preseason and regular-season matches.