Blizzard Entertainment has officially announced that the first-ever Overwatch Championship Series (OWCS) World Finals will be held in Europe, marking a significant moment in the history of Overwatch esports.
The highly anticipated event is set to take place at DreamHack Stockholm later this year, making it the first major in-person Overwatch tournament in Europe since 2018.
Location and Date: DreamHack Stockholm
DreamHack Stockholm will host the OWCS World Finals from November 22 to 24, 2024. This marks the first time since the Overwatch World Cup qualifiers in Paris that the European continent will witness a significant Overwatch event, highlighting a long-awaited return to the region.
- Location: DreamHack Stockholm, Sweden
- Dates: November 22-24, 2024
What to Expect at the OWCS World Finals
This will be the second LAN event of the OWCS competitive season, following the successful DreamHack Dallas earlier this year. DreamHack Dallas attracted a massive crowd of 55,000 fans in person, with an additional 130,000 viewers tuning in online at its peak.
Stockholm is expected to draw an even larger audience as the global Overwatch community converges for this prestigious tournament.
Event Highlights:
- Eight Teams Competing: Only eight teams will qualify for the World Finals, with open qualifiers starting on September 20 for the EMEA and North American regions.
- Fan Experience: Attendees at DreamHack Stockholm will enjoy multiple activations and celebratory events throughout the three-day gaming festival. Premium access to the OWCS World Finals will be available through special ticket packages.
- Global Competition: With Crazy Raccoon winning the DreamHack Dallas event earlier this year, featuring standout players like CH0R0NG, HeeSang, and LIP, the competition in Stockholm is expected to be fierce.
Prize Pool and Expectations
While Blizzard has not yet disclosed the prize pool for the Stockholm event, the DreamHack Dallas tournament awarded a $100,000 prize to the winners. It is anticipated that the prize for the OWCS World Finals in Stockholm will be of a similar, if not greater, value.
Conclusion
The Overwatch Championship Series World Finals in Europe promises to be a landmark event for the Overwatch community, offering fans the chance to witness the best teams in the world compete for the title of world champion.
With the return of international Overwatch competition to Europe and the excitement building for DreamHack Stockholm, this event is set to close out the 2024 season with a bang.