The Esports World Cup Foundation announced Monday that Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch 2 will be a part of the Esports World Cup competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in July.
This announcement was not unexpected, as ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) took control of esports surrounding the title earlier this year, creating a replacement for Activision Blizzard’ franchised Overwatch League called Overwatch Champions Series.
Both the Esports World Cup Foundation and EFG are owned by the Saudi Arabian government’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund.
It is unclear how EFG will present Overwatch 2—as an official stop as part of the Overwatch Champions Series circuit—or an Esports World Cup official title (meaning its own championship exclusive to the Riyadh event).
🐲 Spirit Dragon spotted in Toronto! 🇨🇦#Overwatch2 🤝 #EsportsWorldCup is getting closer and closer!
What Hero would fit the best to represent Riyadh? pic.twitter.com/MhE4a5wCX7
— Esports World Cup (@ESWCgg) March 11, 2024
Overwatch 2 joins a growing line-up of titles that will either have major stops at the event or will be “Esports World Cup Championship” games. So far, announced games having a presence at the event include Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Honor of Kings, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and StarCraft II.
Blizzard Entertainment and EFG officially announced at the end of January that they would work together to create a brand new esports offering that revolves around Overwatch 2 called the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS). The announcement confirmed reports in September that Activision Blizzard was in talks with third-party tournament organizers to take over the Overwatch League or build a new successor esports program to replace it.