Overwatch League 2022 Kickoff May 5, As Western LANs Return
After an off-season that will have seen the likes of Matthew "Super" DeLisi ditch his baby face looks for a Gandalf-like grey beard, as time stood still, the Overwatch League could be set to return to a somewhat normal state, and see the first Sombra EMP land on May 5.
Having been one of the longest breaks in competitive Overwatch since the OWL was formed, a range of problems surrounding the global pandemic and the upcoming sequel title put the 2022 season in jeopardy.
Now, Activision Blizzard is laying the first stepping stones on the road to normality, as a community update has showcased a seasonal roadmap, and reports have emerged that Western Homestands could also be on the horizon.
Overwatch League Format And Start Date Confirmed
Having previously toyed with the idea of delaying the start of the season beyond the halfway stage of the annum, the developers have now revealed the full calendar will be starting in the spring.
Ahead of the brand-new five-vs-five gameplay on Overwatch 2, Blizzard has now confirmed that the OWL 2022 season will start on May 5, with the Kickoff Clash getting the wrecking ball rolling.
With the Kickoff Clash being followed by the Summer Showdown as regional events, fans will be able the whet the international appetitive too. The Midseason Madness will see four teams from the East take on the top eight seeded teams in the West, bringing back a global competition to Overwatch.
Finally, the Countdown Cup will top off the season, as the first Overwatch 2 champions will be crowned.
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Reports Suggest Overwatch 2022 Season Will See The Return Of Western Homestands
Atop of the jam-packed schedule for the season, reports have also emerged that Western Homestands could also be reintroduced as the pandemic pressures begin to ease.
According to a report from Dexerto, "Project Aloha" (a make-do shift to an online world championship where Western teams flew to Hawaii and competed on online servers against the Eastern sides) will be axed, as a global LAN is set to be re-introduced for the first time in two years.
Click to enlargeThe report also suggests that the region-locked events will also become Homestands for both the East and West. Previously, the pandemic pressed pause on the usual live events in North America and Canada. However, it now looks like the teams will have to brush up on their trash-talk and remember how to cope with the mental fortitude of a live event.
Whilst dates and venues have yet to be specified, the community announcement from Blizzard has been more than enough to begin to have fans excited about the upcoming OWL season.
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