Three Overwatch League franchises will host “homestand weekends” during the '19 season, the first time the esports league will play games in-market after launching entirely in a Burbank studio earlier this year. The Dallas Fuel will be first up, hosting eight games at the Allen Event Center on April 27-28, culminating with a Sunday matchup against the Houston Outlaws. The Fuel are owned by Envy Gaming, backed by energy magnate and MLB Rangers BOD member Kenneth Hersh. Later in the season, the expansion Atlanta Reign, owned by Cox Enterprises, and the L.A. Valiant, owned by the AEG-backed Immortals organization, will host similar weekend-long events. The OWL expects to have a full home-and-away schedule in '20. Esports business observers consider the league’s attempt to build a local event business one of the most important stories in the industry. Esports teams historically have intentionally eschewed local identities in the pursuit of a global fan base, and have always played at central tournament locations or online. However, OWL is betting fan affinity can be best built locally, and teams are counting local sponsorship and gate revenue streams as part of their long-term plan. Opening day is Feb. 14.