The esports landscape is seeing massive growth in the last few years with the vast increase in viewership for games like Overwatch and League of Legends. Overwatch, in particular, has caught the eye of the industry as one of the top-viewed video game competitions in the world. This recognition has led to the announcement that the Canadian city ofToronto will be hosting the 2023 Overwatch League Grand Finals.
The announcement was made mutually by the Overwatch League (OWL) and Toronto Esports at a joint press conference. Toronto Esports is an esports organization based in the city and owner of the Toronto Defiant of the OWL, one of the league’s 20 teams. This historic event will make Toronto the first North American city to hold the OWL Grand Finals, and the fourth city overall behind New York City, Seoul, and Philadelphia.
The event will take place in the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) located in the downtown core, which boasts a 3,400-capacity arena. The event will be held in the summer of 2023 and is expected to bring in between 35,000-40,000 fans over the course of the weekend. Fans can also expect to experience a variety of activations and attractions, including a giant stage for live performances and unique viewing experiences such as the “OWL Chair” seating.
The Overwatch League has lofty aspirations for the event, setting its sights on breaking the record for the largest single-day esports audience with over 45,000 fans in attendance. It is a bold yet achievable goal, and Toronto is the city with the best opportunity to host such gargantuan numbers. With its diverse population, competitive infrastructure, and passionate appetite for esports, the city is sure to be a smash hit and put on a once in a lifetime experience.
The Overwatch Grand Finals promises to be an event that will live on in the annals of esports history, and it only further validates Toronto’s status as a top-tier esports hub. It is the latest example of the OWL’s commitment to expanding its global footprint, and with Toronto’s strong history of fan engagement, the Grand Finals is sure to be an event to remember.
