The Overwatch League (OWL) is a professional esports league for Blizzard Entertainment’s team-based first-person shooter, Overwatch. At 1xBet you can explore best sport betting on the OWL and many other esports leagues too.
It was officially announced in 2016 and debuted in 2018, marking the 1st major attempt at creating a city-based esports league, modeled after traditional sports leagues like the NBA or NFL.
The idea behind OWL was to bring the fast-growing Overwatch esports scene to a global stage, offering a structure where teams could represent cities and build fanbases. By exploring the best sports betting options from the esports section of 1xBet, you will also be able to wager on various OWL teams too.
In its first season (2018), the league featured 12 teams from 3 continents:
- North America;
- Europe;
- and Asia.
It also saw cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Shanghai leading the charge. The league’s innovative format included regular season matches, playoffs, and a grand finals, with a prize pool that grew significantly each year.
A professional structure
From the outset, OWL sought to differentiate itself with professional production values, live events, and a significant financial investment in player salaries, team operations, and infrastructure. There are bets on 1xBet line that can be made on the best Overwatch League players and teams too.
This contrasted with many other esports leagues, which operated on a more grassroots level. OWL also emphasized a traditional sports franchise model, where teams purchased slots to compete, and players were signed to multi-year contracts. The bets on the 1xBet line can also be used if you want to wager on other competitions that follow this structure.
Expanding into other parts of the world
Throughout its seasons, the league expanded, with new teams joining and additional regions being represented, including franchises in Europe, China, and South Korea. There is a great casino Zambia available on 1xbet.com.zm/en/casino, which is a great place to try prior to the next competition of this kind.
The league’s structure has evolved, with changes to its format, including the introduction of homestand events in 2020, where teams played in their respective cities, engaging local fans.
As of recent years, the Overwatch League has become a central part of the Overwatch esports ecosystem. It has been showcasing international competition, player development, and community engagement. The OWL’s history continues to unfold, as it adapts to the changing landscape of esports. The casino available on 1xBet Zambia is full of games that you can try while you wait the next edition of the Overwatch League to start.
