Chengdu Hunters exit Overwatch League

After half a season's absence from active play in the Overwatch League, the Chinese franchise Chengdu Hunters have decided to leave the League completely.

The Chengdu Hunters leave OWL

An Overwatch League spokesperson shared the following statement with GGRecon: 

"The Chengdu Hunters have exited the Overwatch League. The organization communicated to the League a shift in their overall strategic objectives, and we wish them well with their new direction."

The Hunters have been a beloved franchise, attracting fans from around the world with their unorthodox tactical approach in season 2 of the Overwatch League.

The team celebrated its greatest victories in season 4 around MVP Huang "leave" Xin, and finished second in both the 2021 Countdown Cup and Summer Showdown.

The Hunters had not fielded a roster for Overwatch League season 6, though a re-entry into the League was left on the table. With today's news, this option has now been declined.

Overwatch had lost its publishing rights in China after a disagreement between NetEase and Blizzard Entertainment had come to a head, leaving its four Chinese Overwatch League franchises in a tough position.

Just two weeks ago the Toronto Defiant announced that it had reached a deal with the Overwatch League, waiving its pending franchise fees.