We recently shared the scoop on the 2021 Overwatch League format, with teams in two regions, four in-season tournaments, a new schedule and consistent match start times, League Points, prize pools, and more. Today we’re detailing some exciting enhancements that will make the Overwatch League viewing experience even better and more rewarding.
WATCH AND EARN
Starting with the Overwatch League Flash Ops Experimental Card Tournament broadcast on March 27-28 and continuing through the 2021 season, you’ll be able to watch live matches and earn rewards directly on the Overwatch League YouTube channel as well as on overwatchleague.com and the Overwatch League mobile app. All you need to do is create a Blizzard account and link it with your YouTube account to start enjoying the Overwatch League Perks by T-Mobile*. This season you’ll be able to earn League Tokens to use on a wider selection of Overwatch League skins and sprays—including two new Legendary skins now on sale, a custom Opening Week spray designed by Soe Gschwind, and more!
STUNNING 4K
For the first time in the history of the Overwatch League, fans will be able to enjoy each and every match this season in glorious 4K quality. Live and on-demand 4K matches will be available on our YouTube channel, website, and the mobile app on capable devices.
CLIP AND SHARE
Also new this season, all Overwatch League matches—live and on demand—on our YouTube channel will feature clip functionality that allows you to clip and share your favorite moments, for up to 60 seconds of video. For more information about how this feature works, go here.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
Another new enhancement we’re happy to share is our always-on player cameras. The camera setups will allow fans to see more live shots of all the players competing—generally when we’re observing an individual player in first-person, we will also show their player camera feed live too. We also plan to incorporate live player comms into the show at select moments so you can get even closer to the action and your favorite players.
CAN I GET AN ENCORE?
With teams playing in North America, Europe, China, and South Korea this season, watching your favorite team live isn’t always a convenient option. But to make it a little easier we’re trying a few things out to help our fans catch all the action this season.
We’ve designated 24 matches featuring the New York Excelsior, Philadelphia Fusion, and Los Angeles Valiant as Encore matches, which are match replays at times better suited to fans in North America. Encore matches are different from normal match VODs because you can still earn viewership rewards and enjoy watching together with other fans on our YouTube channel, website, or mobile app as they air.
All Encore broadcasts will begin at 9:30 a.m. PT and lead into Watchpoint for that day’s West region schedule.
Here’s a complete list of the 2021 regular-season Encore matches:
Subject to change.
Encore matches will be flagged on the Overwatch League website schedule at the start of the season.
MORE SCORES, MORE CONTROL
We’re also introducing a new match scores ticker and a spoiler-free mode that allows fans to hide match results on the scores ticker, schedule, and standings sections.
The scores ticker and spoiler-free mode is scheduled to launch at the start of the Overwatch League season on April 16.
We have also designed a new virtual set and broadcast graphics package, and we can’t wait to unveil those on April 16 at the start of the Overwatch League season.
We’ll see you online!
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*Requires Overwatch. League Tokens, skins and sprays must be redeemed in-game by Dec. 31, 2021. Regional and other eligibility restrictions apply. See Official Rules for details.
