Overwatch World Cup
Bet on Overwatch World Cup With Rivalry | Overwatch Betting Tips, Markets, Odds
It's been a long three years, but the Overwatch World Cup is back with a bang, beginning on October 29! Since the last OWWC in 2019, a lot has changed, most of all Overwatch's metamorphosis into Overwatch 2, bringing a substantial meta shift that is certain to shake up the pecking order.
Only sixteen nations compete this year as Blizzard cautiously reintroduces the world back to Overwatch esports. With plenty of fresh, young talent faces and a new era of Overwatch, which team will claim the OWWC title for the first time since 2019? Only time will tell.
The wide range of different heroes and complex and tactical coordinated gameplay make Overwatch betting a fun way to add some extra spice to watching live matches. As one of the dominating Overwatch League betting sites, why not try betting on the Overwatch World Cup with us, too? Read on for our favorite teams to win, our betting markets, expert tips, and more!
Overwatch World Cup: History
The Overwatch World Cup, or OWWC, is an annual international esports competition developed and organized by Blizzard Entertainment, the creators of Overwatch. It's the second professional Overwatch esports event, behind Overwatch League esports betting. The first OWWC took place in 2016, the same year Overwatch came out, as the Finals are held live at BlizzCon.
As a whole, the competition is designed to heavily promote the globally competitive nature of Overwatch and showcase the talent of Overwatch players from around the globe. The OWWC typically sees anything from 16 to 32 different countries competing, with players repping their home countries, allowing for more patriotic esports betting as fans tend to support their home regions.
Take a look below at each year's respective winners and the runners-up in 2nd place:
- 2016: South Korea, 2nd: Russia
- 2017: South Korea, 2nd: Canada
- 2018: South Korea, 2nd: China
- 2019: United States, 2nd: China
After 2019, Blizzard Entertainment took a long hiatus from the Overwatch World Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused disruption to esports events worldwide. In 2023, the OWWC makes a triumphant return after a long three-year break. Will South Korea return to its dominant form, or will new Overwatch contenders emerge from the ashes?
OWWC 2023: Format and Schedule
Qualifying for the OWWC is a grueling and time-consuming process, taking up the majority of the year. From February through to June, there were several programs to determine the teams playing at the main event, including the Open Trials, Wild Card, and region-specific conferences for the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
Eventually, 15 different countries have cemented their slots at the OWWC 2023 Group Stages. China has also received a direct invitation due to the current "dynamics in China" and their previous excellent performances at the event, resulting in a grand total of 16 teams in the 2023 Overwatch World Cup.
Take a look below for the format for OWWC 2023.
Group Stage (October 29 - November 1)
- The Group Stage is played online at the Anaheim Convention Center.
- The sixteen teams are split into four round-robin groups.
- All matches are Ft2 (first to two)
- The top eight teams advance to the live playoffs, while the bottom eight are eliminated.
Playoffs (November 3 - 4)
- The Grand Finals are conducted in front of a live audience at the Anaheim Convention Center during Blizzcon.
- All matches are played in a single-elimination bracket.
If you're looking for the exact schedule, take a look at our OWWC 2023 event overview, which includes all matches and the current standings.
OWWC 2023: Competing Countries
Here are all sixteen teams competing in the Overwatch World Cup, including their player rosters. Some players are from famous Overwatch teams that feature heavily in the Overwatch League, like the Vancouver Titans, Hangzhou Spark, Florida Mayhem, and more!
Asia-Pacific Group
- Australia: QIN, naahmie, Nanda, cuFFa, Punk, Bertlog, Ackyyy
- China: Shy, leave, guxue, Twenty, Mmonk, lengsa, Faraway1987
- Hong Kong: Despair, Kurumi, XIAOLIAN, R3K, AmCrazy, ManGoJai, IRP
- Japan: Nico, Qki, Mihawk, KSG, Plankton, mint, Qloud
- Thailand: HyVision, Ace, KallBun, Rodtunglnw, mush2oom, PaLee, oPuTo
- South Korea: LIP, Sp9rkle, Hanbin, Fearless, Fielder, ChiYo, FiNN
Americas Group
- Brazil: Ludwig, Svenko, TheSeriusGui, Dalca, neil, Nyohl, xfel
- Canada: Seeker, Noxious, Astronexz, False, MagicM8Ball, Crimzo, cal
- Colombia: dr0mr, Eqo, Eternal, SuperGomez, HappyAlonso, Mixvi, Hug
- Mexico: Chobilux, Angelvolado, hysteria, Castled, Sopa, Paolette, Momo
- United States: Hydron, Sugarfree, Danteh, Coluge, super, Rupal, Ultraviolet
Europe and Middle East Group
- Finland: Sauna, Clowd, Lhcloudy, Vestola, Mickji, Olli, Masaa
- France: Avo, NiCOgdh, Pak, BenBest, Poko, FDGod, reviewz
- Saudi Arabia: Youbi, Quartz, YZNSA, KSAA, Haku, SirMajed, One
- Spain: Punk, Loren, CrazyDragon, Helv, heaveNN, Galaa, Khanail
- United Kingdom: Backbone, WMaimone, Kai, JkAru19, Smex, Kronus, FunnyAstro
OWWC 2023: Favorites To Win
All eyes are on Team USA, Team South Korea, and Team China as the solid favorites in this year's Overwatch World Cup. All three teams have seen success in previous years, but which one will claim the win this year?
OWWC 2023: How To Watch
All matches in the Overwatch World Cup matches will be available on both Twitch and YouTube for your viewing pleasure. Blizzard has also recently signed with several online partners and streamers, so have a look on Twitch and see if your favorite streamers are hosting OWWC watch parties!
Bet on Overwatch World Cup
There are tons of Overwatch betting sites out there, but why stray anything further than Rivalry? After all, you're already here! As esports nerds, we know everything people want in an online sportsbook: instant deposits, fast payouts, the best Overwatch League betting odds, and excellent welcome bonuses.
At Rivalry, all our esports and Overwatch League odds are written as decimal odds, which is simple and easy to understand. We are proud to offer other betting markets for popular esports titles like Dota 2, Rainbow6, and even Valorant!
In the sea of Overwatch League betting sites, here are just some reasons why Rivalry is the best in the game:
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Overwatch Betting Markets
The best Overwatch betting sites will have varied betting markets to offer their users, so you can place an Overwatch bet on various outcomes from any Overwatch match, whether it's the OWL, OWWC, or any amateur match in between.
Luckily, Rivalry offers just that for any avid Overwatch bettors out there; take a look below.
- Overwatch World Cup outright winner: Before the competition even begins, you can predict which team will take home the trophy.
- Match winner: This Overwatch bet lets you predict the winner of a matchup between two teams.
- Map Winner: There are tons of maps in Overwatch, and each series often involves 2 to 3 different maps. For these betting markets, you can choose the winner of a specific map.
- Map Duration: This option lets you predict whether a match will latch above or below a given number of minutes. Overwatch matches last between 15-25 minutes as a rough guideline.
- First Kill: This betting market lets you pick which team will get the first kill for their team.
Overwatch World Cup: Betting Tips
Overwatch World Cup matches are always more exciting if you're betting real cash on them. However, getting started with any form of esports betting can be daunting if you need help knowing where to begin. Never fear, Rivalry is here to save the day. Here are just a few tips you can use if you want to bet on Overwatch games
Learn the game
Overwatch 2 is free to play, so it's always to play Overwatch yourself to see the ins and outs of the game itself, especially since the shift into OW2.You can get a feel for the meta heroes, throw picks, and good gameplay strategies. These valuable insights will give you the upper hand with betting strategies; you could pick out an undervalued underdog!
If you want to play the game yourself, we have tons of Overwatch guides on our blog, including the best crosshairs, system requirements, how to unlock all heroes, the ranking system, and even the best heroes to try first.
Study the game's professional circuit
Although Overwatch only has the Overwatch League on its esports calendar, it can still provide you with some useful information when placing your bets, like who the top players are, what are the best team comps, etc.
Do your homework
Doing your research is the key to success in the esports betting world. You don't want to throw your money at any old team! You should find plenty of analysis videos on YouTube, which may offer a unique perspective you've not thought about before.
Analyzing old VODs from previous tournaments can also give you a feel for how each team performs and which heroes they excel or fail at. Checking out free resources like Liquidpedia and Twitter can also provide information on any roster switches, the teams, and their success rates.
Gamble Responsibly
This should go without saying, but whenever you're considering any sports betting, make sure you're always gambling responsibly. Set a budget for your betting and stick to it. Never try to win back any losses. Check out our Rivalry Academy budgeting bankroll guide for more advice.
Out of all the esports betting sites out there, Rivalry is a trailblazer, offering the best esports betting odds, instant deposits, and mega-fast payouts. What are you waiting for? Make a Rivalry account today and start sprinkling that signature Rivalry hot sauce on your favorite Overwatch matches!
FAQs about Overwatch Betting
How does Overwatch betting work?
Betting on Overwatch has never been easier. Just make an account with us (provided you're in a registered jurisdiction), find the match or tournament you want to bet on, select your bets, make your deposit, and ship your stake!
Is betting on Overwatch legal?
Yes! Betting on Overwatch, the Overwatch League, and the Overwatch World Cup is 100% legal. Rivalry is fully compliant with all relevant laws and is regulated under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.
Can I place bets using my smartphone?
Of course! Our website is completely mobile-friendly, so you can bet on the action of the OWWC from your smartphone. If you're in Ontario, you're in luck, as we have an app just for you! Just search "Rivalry - Esports Betting" on the App Store and get downloading.
What is the prize pool for the OWWC 2023?
The prize pool for the OWWC 2023 has yet to be announced, as it is 25% funded by in-game bundles purchased by Overwatch 2 players. The prize pool for OWWC 2019 was $90,000 overall.
Who are the favorite teams to win OWWC 2023?
South Korea has historically seen the most success at the Overwatch World Cup, often either winning or coming second. Team Canada, Team USA, and Team China are also some teams that players should keep their eyes on, boating several pro-players from the OWL in their ranks. However, with many roster switches and professional players retiring, there's everything to play for at OWWC 2023.
Do you offer any bonuses?
We offer welcome bonuses for all new accounts, so you can have free bets while dipping your toes in the world of esports betting. Use code WELCOME100 with your first deposit.
How can I deposit?
Rivalry offers a wide range of depositing options, some of which are instant. These include MasterCard, Visa, Skrill, Alipay, and more. Remember, your first bet with us is free as part of our welcome bonus. We also offer cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin!
