📝 Overwatch World Cup Returns at BlizzCon 2026

The wait is finally over — after a two-year absence, one of the most beloved tournaments in Overwatch is making its grand return. Blizzard has officially announced that the Overwatch World Cup (OWWC) will return in 2026, live from the Anaheim Convention Center Arena, celebrating 10 years of Overwatch esports.

The passionate fanbase at the OWWCS. — Passion and pride at OWWC. Images by Blizzard Entertainment.

The OWWC’s comeback marks the exciting return to national competition at the highest level. As part of today’s announcement, Blizzard confirmed that BlizzCon 2026 Passes will go on sale on November 7 at 9 a.m. PT, with an early bird rate available for just three days, with tickets going on sale at the normal rate later this month. But for Overwatch fans, the real headline is clear: the World Cup is back, and the world will once again unite behind its national heroes.

South Korea wins its third consecutive World Cup. OWWC 2018. Image by Blizzard Entertainment.

This will be the first OWWC since 2023, when Saudi Arabia made history by claiming the championship in an unforgettable tournament. That roster, still active at the highest level of competitiveness, alongside perennial powerhouses like South Korea, the USA, and China, will set the stage for what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive international tournaments yet.

Reigning OWWC champions, Saudi Arabia. Image by Blizzard Entertainment.

The timing of this announcement also sheds light on a mystery that’s been looming since August, when the Esports World Cup revealed its plans for a new Esports Nations Cup (ENC), notably without Blizzard’s logo among its partners. With today’s news, the picture is clearer: Blizzard is bringing the Overwatch World Cup home, anchoring it firmly within BlizzCon’s global showcase and reaffirming its commitment to Overwatch as a premier esports title.

USA lifts the OWWC 2019 trophy. Image by Blizzard Entertainment.

While details about the qualifiers and group stages are yet to come, Blizzard has confirmed that delegations from around the world will battle through regional qualifiers for a chance to represent their countries on the BlizzCon Arena stage. The two-day championship weekend promises a celebration of Overwatch’s decade-long esports legacy and a showcase of how far the game, its regions, and its players have come.

That regional parity was on full display earlier this year at the Esports World Cup 2025, where teams from EMEA, APAC, and the Americas all traded blows in some of the most evenly matched international play to date. As the countdown to 2026 begins, fans can expect an OWWC more competitive and unpredictable than ever before.