Barclays Center will host the first Overwatch League finals on July 27-28. OWL officials selected the Brooklyn arena from “three or four cities” that were under serious consideration, OWL Commissioner Nate Nanzer said, but N.Y. stood out as an ideal showcase for business partners as well as fans. “In a city where you have brands, agencies and potential media partners, to give all of them a chance to come and experience world-class professional esports live in person is really important, and it will really help open a lot of people’s eyes to what esports is,” Nanzer said. Blizzard will get “carte blanche” to develop the presentation inside the arena, BS&E EVP/Programming Keith Sheldon said, and Blizzard is preparing an “immersive on-site fan experience.” Barclays will assist in the promotion. Tickets will be on sale May 18. The two-day, best of-three series will be the culmination of a six-team playoff that starts July 11 at Blizzard Arena in L.A., where every other OWL match has been so far.
For more coverage of the business of esports, visit our partners, esportsobserver.com.
