FACEIT has created an open esports circuit for Overwatch 2 called the Overwatch Champions Series and anyone can play in it with the right account.
Overwatch esports was previously a closed league controlled by Blizzard that had some hard barriers to entry for new players. Now, with the Overwatch League caput and FACEIT/ESL taking on the esport circuit those barriers have been removed.
The tournament organizer announced that the 2024 circuit will include multiple open qualifiers, that in turn feed into different stages that feed into Major tournaments.
Here is how players can compete in the OWCS open qualifiers.
Playing in OWCS open qualifiers requires a FACEIT account
The first thing players need to do is create a FACEIT account and connect their Battle.net account to it.
Next, players will need to find teammates and create a team. Players cannot set their status on the tournament platform as “looking for a team,” so you will need to have a team set up offline to register on the official organizer page.
Registration for the circuit will open in North America and EMEA on January 31, 2024, and rosters will lock for the first stage on February 29. Rosters can have a maximum of eight players listed and each player must be at least 17 years old.
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Additionally, players must be playing on an account that is “in good standing on FACEIT, Overwatch 2, & Blizzard Entertainment.”
The qualifier matches will start the day after the roster lock. Teams that are registered will be able to compete in the next qualifier as well if they don’t manage to make the main event.
Here are the roster lock dates for each stage of the open circuit:
- Stage 1: February 29
- Stage 2: April 4
- Stage 3: August 15
- September 19
To make it to the main event, teams will need to win out in a Swiss Group system for three weeks. Placement at the main event will earn teams Circuit Points and cash prizes.
Circuit points will decide which teams make the first OWCS Major and the World Finals.