2022 Overwatch League season

Last updated
2022 Overwatch League season
OWL 5th season logo.png
The OWL's fifth season emblem
League Overwatch League
Sport Overwatch 2
DurationMay 5 – November 4
Number of matches24
Number of teams20
TV partner(s) YouTube
Regular season
Top seed Dallas Fuel
Season MVPKim "Proper" Dong-hyun
Midseason tournament champions
Kickoff Clash
Midseason MadnessLos Angeles Gladiators
Summer Showdown
Grand Finals
Venue Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, California
ChampionsDallas Fuel
  Runners-up San Francisco Shock
Finals MVP Lee "Fearless" Eui-seok
Overwatch League seasons

The 2022 Overwatch League season was the fifth season of the Overwatch League (OWL), a professional esports league. Contrasted to the first four seasons, which was played on the video game Overwatch , the season was played on an early build of Overwatch 2 . The regular season began on May 5, 2022, and ended on October 22. The playoffs were played at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, beginning on October 30, and concluded with the Grand Finals on November 4. The Dallas Fuel won the Grand Finals over the San Francisco Shock to win their first OWL championship.

Contents

League format and changes

Rosters and salaries

The 2022 season was being played on an early build of Blizzard 's upcoming title Overwatch 2 . [1] As such, matches were played with teams of five, rather than teams of six. [2] The minimum number of players on a team was decreased from seven to six, while the maximum number of players remains at twelve. Teams could players to a minimum of one season and could add an option to extend that contract for an additional year, if they so chose. Teams were also allowed to sign players to short-term 30-day contracts and two-way contracts. Additionally, the league's minimum salary was increased from US$50,000 to $50,700. [3]

Regions and live events

As with the prior two seasons, the twenty teams were divided into two regions, the East and West. Seven teams from China and South Korea competed in the East Region, while thirteen teams from North America and Europe competed in the West Division. While the majority of matches in the 2020 and 2021 seasons were played online, live events returned for the 2022 season. [4]

Broadcasting

Bren in 2020.jpg
Sideshow in 2020 - 2.jpg
Casters Brennon "Bren" Hook (left) and Josh "Sideshow" Wilkinson (right) left the broadcast team prior to the season.

The League hired Toronto-based production provider Dome Productions to produce and broadcast the 2022 season. The decision to hire a third-party operator left World of Warcraft as Activision Blizzard's only supported esports title that had not been outsourced by March 2022. [5]

In January 2022, shoutcasters Brennon "Bren" Hook and Josh "Sideshow" Wilkinson, who had been with the broadcast team since the league's inaugural season, announced that they did "not have an agreement for 2022 with Overwatch League, marking the end of [their] four years as broadcast talent." [6] In an interview with Dot Esports , the duo noted that the time limit in which negotiations had to take place, as well as the monetary value of the deals, were the main reason for their departure. [7] However, they clarified that they would still be involved with the league via co-streams. [8] The league announced their talent lineup on April 11, 2022, which included neither Hook nor Wilkinson. [9]

On April 20, 2022, the OWL announced that they would be launching a co-streaming initiative, in which select streamers would be able to stream OWL broadcasts simultaneously with their own. It will be the first time that the league has allowed co-streaming, and co-streams are restricted to only be broadcast on YouTube. [10]

Regular season

The regular season began on May 5, 2022. Teams played a total 24 regular season matches, which acted as qualifiers for four standalone tournaments, the Kickoff Clash, Midseason Madness, Summer Showdown and Countdown Cup, which took take place in that order. [4] Each tournament was preceded by six regional qualifying matches. In 2021, all four tournament cycles culminated in an interregional tournament; however, for the 2022 season, the Kickoff Clash and Summer Showdown were regional tournaments, with eight teams qualifying from the West and four teams qualifying in the East, while the Midseason Madness were interregional. The final tournament cycle of the season, the Countdown Cup, did conclude with a tournament. [11]

Similar to the 2021 season, the league used a point system, called League Points, to determine regular season standings. Every win in the regular season earned a team one point. Any team that qualifies for a regional tournament received an additional one point; a first- or second-place finish in a regional midseason tournament instead earned the placing team an additional three or two points, respectively. Any team that qualified for the Midseason Madness tournament received an additional one point; a first-, second-, or third- place finish in the Midseason Madness tournament instead earned the placing team an additional four, three, or two points, respectively. [12]

East region
PosTeamPldWLPCTMWMLMTMDPtsQualification
1 Seoul Dynasty 241950.7962240+3825Advance to season playoffs
2 Shanghai Dragons 241860.7557300+2723
3 Philadelphia Fusion 2411130.4650500015
4 Hangzhou Spark 2411130.4646490313Advance to play-ins
5 Guangzhou Charge 249150.38345602210
6 Chengdu Hunters 249150.3839520139
7 Los Angeles Valiant 247170.2936630277
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) winning percentage (including tournaments); 3) regular season wins; 4) regular season map differential
West region
PosTeamPldWLPCTMWMLMTMDPtsQualification
1 Dallas Fuel 242040.8361260+3526Advance to season playoffs
2 San Francisco Shock 242040.8365270+3826
3 Los Angeles Gladiators 241860.7564290+3525
4 Houston Outlaws 241680.6756420+1419
5 Atlanta Reign 2413110.5451420+916
6 London Spitfire 2414100.5850410+916
7 Florida Mayhem 2412120.5046450+115Advance to play-ins
8 Toronto Defiant 2412120.5048490115
9 Washington Justice 2411130.4647510413
10 Boston Uprising 2410140.4243520910
11 Vancouver Titans 245190.2129620336
12 New York Excelsior 244200.1728660384
13 Paris Eternal 241230.0415710561
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) winning percentage (including tournaments); 3) regular season wins; 4) regular season map differential

Kickoff Clash

The Kickoff Clash is the first of four midseason tournament cycles of the season. Qualifiers began on May 5 in the West region, [12] while the East region qualifiers were delayed until May 20 due to increasing COVID-19 concerns in China. [13] Teams that advance past the qualifiers will play in their respective regional tournaments, which will take place from June 2 to 5. The West region tournament will take place live at Esports Stadium Arlington. [14]

Qualifiers

East region
PosTeamPldWLPCTMWMLMTMDQualification
1 Hangzhou Spark 6510.831790+8Advance to regional tournament
2 Shanghai Dragons 6510.8315110+4
3 Seoul Dynasty 6420.671480+6
4 Philadelphia Fusion 6330.5012100+2
5 Chengdu Hunters 6240.3391304
6 Los Angeles Valiant 6150.17111605
7 Guangzhou Charge 6150.17516011
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) map differential; 3) head-to-head record; 4) head-to-head map differential
West region
PosTeamPldWLPCTMWMLMTMDQualification
1 San Francisco Shock 6601.001850+13Advance to regional tournament
2 Dallas Fuel 6510.831550+10
3 Los Angeles Gladiators 6420.671690+7
4 Florida Mayhem 6420.671580+7
5 Houston Outlaws 6420.6715100+5
6 Toronto Defiant 6420.6713100+3
7 Atlanta Reign 6330.5011100+1
8 Washington Justice 6330.50111100
9 London Spitfire 6330.50101202
10 Boston Uprising 6240.3391506
11 New York Excelsior 6150.17616010
12 Paris Eternal 6060.00418014
13 Vancouver Titans 6060.00418014
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) map differential; 3) head-to-head record; 4) head-to-head map differential

Tournaments

East region
Upper round 1Upper finalFinal
1 Hangzhou 1
4 Philadelphia 3
4Philadelphia3
2Shanghai0
2 Shanghai 3
3 Seoul 2
4Philadelphia0
3Seoul4
Lower round 1Lower final
2Shanghai2
1Hangzhou03Seoul3
3Seoul3
West region
Upper round 1Upper round 2Upper finalFinal
1 San Francisco 3
8 Washington 2
1San Francisco1
7Atlanta3
4 Florida 1
7 Atlanta 3
7Atlanta0
3LA Gladiators3
2 Dallas 3
6 Toronto 0
2Dallas1
3LA Gladiators3
3 LA Gladiators 3
5 Houston 03LA Gladiators4
2Dallas0
Lower round 1Lower round 2Lower round 3Lower final
2Dallas3
8Washington14Florida17Atlanta1
4Florida32Dallas32Dallas3
1San Francisco0
1San Francisco3
6Toronto15Houston1
5Houston3

Midseason Madness

The Midseason Madness is the second of four midseason tournament cycles of the season. Qualifiers began on June 16 in the West region and June 24 in the East region. Qualification for the Midseason Madness was based on league points earned through the entire first half the season. [15] Teams that advanced past the qualifiers played in an interregional tournament. Like in the previous season, the top Western teams travelled to Hawaii for the interregional tournament to minimize latency, while the top Eastern teams stayed in their home facilities. [16] The 12-team, double-elimination tournament began on July 18 and concluded with the finals on July 23. [17]

Qualifiers

East region
PosTeamPldWLPCTMWMLMTMDPtsQualification
1 Seoul Dynasty 12930.7530130+1712Advance to tournament
2 Hangzhou Spark 12930.7531160+1510
3 Shanghai Dragons 12930.7527180+910
4 Philadelphia Fusion 12660.5024230+18
5 Chengdu Hunters 12570.422124035
6 Los Angeles Valiant 12390.2518310133
7 Guangzhou Charge 121110.088340261
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) winning percentage (including tournaments); 3) regular season wins; 4) regular season map differential
West region
PosTeamPldWLPCTMWMLMTMDPtsQualification
1 San Francisco Shock 121201.003680+2813Advance to tournament
2 Los Angeles Gladiators 121020.8334120+2213
3 Dallas Fuel 12930.7527140+1311
4 Houston Outlaws 12930.7530210+910
5 London Spitfire 12840.6726200+68
6 Atlanta Reign 12750.5826190+78
7 Florida Mayhem 12660.5024230+17
8 Toronto Defiant 12660.502325027
9 Washington Justice 12570.422326036
10 Boston Uprising 12480.332128074
11 New York Excelsior 121110.0814340201
12 Paris Eternal 121110.0810350251
13 Vancouver Titans 120120.007360290
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) winning percentage (including tournaments); 3) regular season wins; 4) regular season map differential

Tournament

Upper round 1
July 18
Upper round 2
July 19
Upper round 3
July 21
Upper final
July 22
Final
July 23
1 San Francisco 3
8 London 38London1
1San Francisco3
9 Atlanta 1
7Shanghai0
4 Dallas 0
7 Shanghai 37Shanghai3
1San Francisco3
12 Toronto 0
2LA Gladiators2
2 LA Gladiators 3
5 Hangzhou 36Houston0
2LA Gladiators3
10 Philadelphia 1
5Hangzhou2
3 Seoul 0
6 Houston 35Hangzhou3
11 Florida 01San Francisco2
2LA Gladiators4
Lower round 1
July 20
Lower round 2
July 21
Lower round 3
July 22
Lower round 4
July 22
Lower final
July 23
8London2
11Hangzhou2
11Florida3
11Florida210Philadelphia3
10Philadelphia32LA Gladiators3
4Dallas1
10Philadelphia19Atlanta1
10Philadelphia3
9Atlanta3
6Houston3
7Shanghai1
12Toronto2
6Houston19Atlanta3
9Atlanta3
3Seoul2
9Atlanta3

Summer Showdown

The Summer Showdown was the third midseason tournament cycle of the season.

Qualifiers

East region
PosTeamPldWLPCTMWMLMTMDQualification
1 Shanghai Dragons 6601.001810+17Advance to regional tournament
2 Seoul Dynasty 6510.831550+10
3 Guangzhou Charge 6420.6712110+1
4 Philadelphia Fusion 6240.33111504
5 Chengdu Hunters 6240.3381305
6 Los Angeles Valiant 6150.1781709
7 Hangzhou Spark 6150.17616010
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) map differential; 3) head-to-head record; 4) head-to-head map differential
West region
PosTeamPldWLPCTMWMLMTMDQualification
1 Dallas Fuel 6601.001870+11Advance to regional tournament
2 San Francisco Shock 6510.831660+10
3 Houston Outlaws 6420.6714100+4
4 Toronto Defiant 6420.6714100+4
5 London Spitfire 6330.5013100+3
6 Vancouver Titans 6330.5013110+2
7 Washington Justice 6330.5013110+2
8 Florida Mayhem 6330.50101000
9 Los Angeles Gladiators 6240.33121200
10 Atlanta Reign 6240.33101303
11 Boston Uprising 6240.3371508
12 New York Excelsior 6240.3371508
13 Paris Eternal 6060.00118017
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) map differential; 3) head-to-head record; 4) head-to-head map differential

Tournaments

East region
Upper round 1Upper finalFinal
1 Shanghai 3
3 Guangzhou 0
1Shanghai3
2Seoul0
2 Seoul 3
4 Philadelphia 2
1Shanghai4
2Seoul2
Lower round 1Lower final
2Seoul3
3Guangzhou04Philadelphia1
4Philadelphia3
West region
Upper round 1Upper round 2Upper finalFinal
1 Dallas 3
7 Washington 2
1Dallas3
5London1
4 Toronto 1
5 London 3
1Dallas3
2San Francisco0
2 San Francisco 3
6 Vancouver 1
2San Francisco3
3Houston1
3 Houston 3
8 Florida 01Dallas4
2San Francisco0
Lower round 1Lower round 2Lower round 3Lower final
3Houston0
7Washington14Toronto32San Francisco3
4Toronto34Toronto34Toronto1
8Florida2
5London2
8Florida38Florida3
6Vancouver0

Postseason

Play-in tournaments

The play-in tournaments were two regional tournaments that took place following the Countdown Cup tournament cycle. The Eastern region play-in tournament saw seeds four through six play in a single-elimination tournament on October 15, with the winner advancing to the season playoffs. In the Western region, seeds seven through ten played in a double-elimination tournament from October 21 to 22, with the top two teams advancing to the season playoffs. All matches were determined by which team wins three maps. [18]

Brackets

Playoffs

A total of twelve teams advanced to the season playoffs. The top six teams from the West and the top three teams from the East, based on the regular season standings, advanced directly to the season playoffs. The play-ins qualified an additional one team from the East and two teams from the West. [15] The entirety of the season playoffs took place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, beginning on October 31, and concluded with the Grand Finals on November 4. [19]

Bracket

Upper round 1
October 30
Upper round 2
October 31
Upper round 3
November 2
Upper final
November 3
Grand Finals
November 4
1 Dallas Fuel 3
8 London Spitfire 312Hangzhou Spark1
1Dallas Fuel3
9 Philadelphia Fusion 0
4Seoul Dynasty0
4 Seoul Dynasty 3
5 Shanghai Dragons 010Florida Mayhem0
1Dallas Fuel3
12 Hangzhou Spark 3
6Houston Outlaws1
2 San Francisco Shock 2
7 Atlanta Reign 06Houston Outlaws3
6Houston Outlaws3
10 Florida Mayhem 3
8London Spitfire0
3 Los Angeles Gladiators 1
6 Houston Outlaws 38London Spitfire3
11 Toronto Defiant 01Dallas Fuel4
2San Francisco Shock3
Lower round 1
November 1
Lower round 2
November 2
Lower round 3
November 3
Lower round 4
November 3
Lower final
November 4
3Los Angeles Gladiators3
4Seoul Dynasty0
9Philadelphia Fusion1
3Los Angeles Gladiators12San Francisco Shock3
2San Francisco Shock36Houston Outlaws0
2San Francisco Shock3
2San Francisco Shock32San Francisco Shock3
5Shanghai Dragons1
12Hangzhou Spark1
10Florida Mayhem3
8London Spitfire1
7Atlanta Reign1
10Florida Mayhem112Hangzhou Spark3
12Hangzhou Spark3
12Hangzhou Spark3
11Toronto Defiant2

Awards

Individual awards

AwardRecipient
Most Valuable PlayerKim "Proper" Dong-hyun (San Francisco Shock) [20]
Dennis Hawelka Award Hadi "Hadi" Bleinagel (London Spitfire) [21]
Alarm Rookie of the Year Kim "Proper" Dong-hyun (San Francisco Shock) [22]
Coach of the YearChristopher "Christfer" Graham (London Spitfire) [22]
Grand Finals MVP Lee "Fearless" Eui-seok (Dallas Fuel) [23]

Role Stars

DamageTankSupport
Kevin "Kevster" Persson (Los Angeles Gladiators)Hadi "Hadi" Bleinagel (London Spitfire)Han "Chiyo" Hyeon-seok (Dallas Fuel)
Lee "Lip" Jae-wan (Shanghai Dragons)Choi "Hanbin" Han-been (Dallas Fuel)Kwon "Fielder" Jun (Dallas Fuel)
Park "Profit" Jun-young (Seoul Dynasty)Corey "Reiner" Scoda (Los Angeles Gladiators)Kim "Izayaki" Min-chul (Shanghai Dragons)
Kim "Proper" Dong-hyun (San Francisco Shock)Yoo "Smurf" Myeong-hwan (Seoul Dynasty)Kim "Shu" Jin-seo (Los Angeles Gladiators)

Source: [24] [25] [26]

Prize pool

Teams in the 2022 season competed for a prize pool across midseason tournaments and playoffs, with the payout division detailed below. The Midseason Madness and season playoffs had a prize pool of over US$1 million. [15]

TeamKickoff Clash [27] Midseason Madness [28] Summer Showdown [29] Season playoffs [30] Total
Atlanta Reign$40,000$125,000$35,000$200,000
Boston Uprising$0
Chengdu Hunters$0
Dallas Fuel$50,000$75,000$1,000,000$1,125,000
Florida Mayhem$15,000$30,000$55,000$100,000
Guangzhou Charge$0
Hangzhou Spark$25,000$250,000$275,000
Houston Outlaws$15,000$15,000$350,000$380,000
London Spitfire$15,000$100,000$115,000
Los Angeles Gladiators$75,000$500,000$55,000$630,000
Los Angeles Valiant$0
New York Excelsior$0
Paris Eternal$0
Philadelphia Fusion$35,000$75,000$20,000$35,000$165,000
San Francisco Shock$30,000$250,000$50,000$500,000$830,000
Seoul Dynasty$50,000$35,000$100,000$185,000
Shanghai Dragons$20,000$25,000$50,000$35,000$130,000
Toronto Defiant$40,000$40,000
Vancouver Titans$35,000$35,000
Washington Justice$0
Total$330,000$1,000,000$330,000$2,550,000$4,210,000

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