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Just because the Overwatch League is having a mid-season break right now doesn’t mean there isn’t quality Overwatch on display.
The Overwatch Contenders Showdowns are about to start, where the best tier-two teams from around the world are pit against each other for the first time in Contenders history. If you want to catch the action as it unfolds over the next couple of weeks, here is everything you need to know.
What is the Showdown?
The Showdown is the first international event for teams who play in Overwatch Contenders on the path-to-pro. Contenders is split into eight regions across the world: North America West, North America East, South America, Europe, Pacific, Korea, China, and Australia.
The best teams from these regions are split into two regional tournaments—the Pacific and Atlantic Showdowns—with spots at the end-of-season Gauntlet on the line.
When is it?
The Pacific Showdown will run on May 24 to 26, in Shanghai, China. The Atlantic Showdown will take place May 31 to June 2, in Krefeld, Germany.
Who is playing?
The Pacific Showdown features the top two teams from Korea and China, and the best team from Australia and Pacific, based off their performance in season one of Contenders.
On the other side of the world, the Pacific Showdown will see the two best teams from Europe, the best South American team, and the best three teams from North America’s two regions.
Pacific
- Element Mystic (Korea)
- O2 Blast (Korea)
- LGE.Huya (China)
- The One Winner (China)
- Talon Esports (Pacific)
- ORDER (Australia)
Atlantic
- Fusion University (North America East)
- Team Envy (North America West)
- ATL Academy (North America West)
- Angry Titans (Europe)
- British Hurricane (Europe)
- Lowkey Esports (South America)
Why is it important?
It is the first time fans will be able to see their Contenders region match up against others across the world. While the Overwatch World Cup has featured Contenders players in the past, the Showdown is the first time Contenders teams will play other Contenders regions in official matches.
It also gives players a chance to get scouted for the Overwatch League. It’s hard for team scouts to keep up-to-date with every Contenders region across the world, so making it to the Showdown shows that they are the best in the world, and more likely to be scouted for OWL.
For some regions, the Showdown is a way to gain valuable LAN experience. Contenders South America have never had a regional LAN finals, while North America and Europe rarely play on LAN. This LAN experience is crucial for players to take back to their own region because it gives them new strategies to take home as well as experience in a high-pressure situation.
Finally, there are bragging rights on the line. Which region of North America is the best? Is Europe the best Western region? Can China’s rising stars compete with the proven Koreans, or will the Pacific and Australian underdogs sniff out a victory? All of these questions will be answered at the Showdowns.
How can I watch it?
The Pacific Showdown will be available in three languages over a variety of streaming services.
- English: Overwatch Contenders Twitch channel.
- Korean: Overwatch Korea Twitch channel
- Chinese: Bilibili, Zhanqi, and CC.
