HERO BANS in OWCS!
Okay, Overwatch fans, something really cool is happening in OWCS this year. For the first time ever in official Overwatch esports, hero bans are being added to the competitive format! That means certain heroes won’t be available in matches, and teams will need to think way more strategically about their comps. It’s kind of wild to think that we’ve never had this before, but it’s finally here and honestly, it’s going to make matches so much more exciting to watch.
No more watching the same heroes over and over. If one hero gets too dominant, there’s a chance they’ll be banned for a stage. This change is going to keep the meta fresh and make every match feel a little different, which is honestly such a nice upgrade for viewers and players.
OWCS is going from two live events to three and we’re hyped!
If you watched the last season of OWCS, you’ll know how amazing DreamHack Stockholm was. It was the final event of the 2024 season, and it ended with Team Falcons from OWCS Korea taking home the trophy. Big love to those guys, they really played their hearts out.
But in 2025, Blizzard is going even bigger. We’re getting three live global events instead of two! That’s more matches, more moments, and more reasons to yell at your screen with excitement. And with more matches also come more broadcasts, so we’re doubling the amount of Overwatch esports content to watch.
And if you’re the kind of person who never misses a match, this means even more opportunities to earn viewership drops and collect fun cosmetics just for tuning in.
FACEIT
FACEIT is now officially part of OWCS, and it actually makes sense.
This year, OWCS is linking up with FACEIT in a big way. And honestly, it feels like a good match. FACEIT is known for its competitive systems and leaderboards, and now it’s being directly tied into OWCS.
So whether you’re a casual ranked player or someone who dreams of competing one day, FACEIT makes it easier to join the action. There’s also a promotion and relegation system now, which means if you’re cracked enough, you can move up through the ranks and qualify for big events. It’s like Contenders but with clearer paths and better visibility.
Overwatch is adding more teams, items, and fan support
Okay, this next part made my little esports heart so happy. OWCS is introducing a team partner program that brings back some iconic esports teams across different regions. That means the big names we love (and love to root against) are coming back to compete. Even better, you’ll be able to buy in-game items to support your favorite team directly. Cute skins, fun sprays, and yes — the money goes to the teams and players themselves.
It’s such a fun way to show off your loyalty and support the scene. Imagine repping your favs in-game and feeling good knowing they’re actually getting something from it. Yes please.
China and Australia are now part of OWCS and we love to see it
Blizzard also confirmed some nice news for fans in China and Australia. China is officially back in the scene with their own OWCS region, especially now that Overwatch 2 is playable there again. And Australia is being added into the Pacific subregion, which means more teams, more players, and more representation from places that really love Overwatch.
The fans in those regions are so passionate, and it’s about time they got more love from the competitive side of things.
Ranked FACEIT play gets new divisions and fun changes
If you’ve ever played in a FACEIT Overwatch lobby, you know it can get sweaty — but in a good way. This year, Blizzard is adding rank-based divisions, which should help make matchmaking more fair and balanced. There’s also going to be adjustments to which heroes are available in certain ranks to keep things fun and not totally dominated by the same strategies every game.
So if you’re grinding, there’s now a clearer path and more fairness. And maybe, just maybe, a shot at the big leagues.
More streams, more drops, more reasons to tune in
With OWCS growing, Blizzard is also keeping the viewership rewards system going strong. That means free sprays, skins, player icons and more just for watching matches on Twitch or YouTube. If you’re already watching anyway (because duh), it’s a nice little cherry on top.
And since there will be way more matches and better scheduling, you won’t have to hunt around to find when your favorite team is playing. Everything will be easier to follow, which is a win for all of us.
You can keep up with all the OWCS 2025 events and get the latest match times at Blizzard’s official page at https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/esports
FAQ: Overwatch OWCS 2025 changes
What’s new in OWCS 2025?
Hero bans, more live events, and new regions are the biggest updates.
How do hero bans work?
Some heroes will be removed from matches to keep gameplay fresh and fair.
Can I support my favorite team in-game?
Yes! New items will be added and proceeds help fund teams and players.
Is FACEIT required now?
Yup, FACEIT is part of OWCS for both playing and following ranked play.
Is OWCS coming back to China?
Yes, China now has its own OWCS region again starting in 2025.
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