Four Teams Qualify for Season Two of Overwatch Contenders NA
Overwatch Contenders Trials NA has concluded, with four teams qualifying for the second 2018 season of Contenders NA.
Contenders is the second tier of official Overwatch competition, beneath the Overwatch League itself. Unlike the OWL, Contenders is separated regionally, with seven different divisions taking place across the world.
Also unlike the Overwatch League, Contenders is not franchised – those teams that hold a spot have to fight to maintain it each season, with the bottom four teams dropping into a battle for requalification.
That battle is Contenders Trials, where those four teams meet the top four teams from the Overwatch Open division to fight it out for the four available spots in the next season of Contenders itself.
Contenders NA is arguably the most scrutinized of the Contenders divisions as it’s where seven Overwatch League teams field their academy sides. Competing in Contenders NA offers the biggest spotlight to aspiring Overwatch League pros.
With Season One of the Overwatch League headed into playoffs and a signing period for both existing and expansion teams following thereafter, there’s perhaps never been a more important time to show what you’re capable of if you’re a player looking to make it to the big league.
In Contenders NA Season Two, two new teams will make their Contenders debut, while two of the relegated Season One teams have secured requalification.
Last Night’s Leftovers and Bye Week, who both finished 11-12
in Season One, return for Season Two, while Grizzlys Esports and the former Simplicity squad both failed to retain their spots. The latter pair are replaced by Second Wind and Karasuno, who have now rebranded to Seattle Skyfoxes.
Contenders NA Season Two will kick off on July 3, with the following teams taking part:
- Fusion University
- Toronto Esports (Boston Uprising academy)
- OpTic Gaming (Houston Outlaws academy)
- Gladiators Legion
- XL2 Academy
- NRG Esports (San Francisco Shock academy)
- Mayhem Academy
- Envision Esports
- Last Night’s Leftovers
- Bye Week
- Seattle Skyfoxes
- Second Wind