Overwatch: Atlanta and Guangzhou are the first two expansion cities for OWL season 2

The first season of the Overwatch League has ended and now Blizzard is gearing up for a second season.

Six new teams are expected to join this season, but the Overwatch League side has only confirmed two new cities in the second season: Guangzhou (Guangzhou), China and Atlanta.

“Following a fantastic final at Barclays Center, we are excited to expand the Overwatch League next season,” said Activision-Blizzard CEO and president Pete Vlastelica. “We are pleased to add the Atlanta and Guangzhou teams and hope the tournament will attract more fans in both regions in 2019.”

Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises has partnered with consulting firm Province, Inc. to create the Atlanta Esports Venture team. In Guangzhou, the Nenking Group, a “financial and entertainment group”, which is also the owner of the Guangzhou Long Lions basketball team under the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) system, will manage the Chinese team.

“The Neking Group and Long Lions have a rich history in this region and we can’t wait to represent the city on the world stage and make fans proud,” said Chairman Zhong. Naizong of Nenking Group said.

The competing teams will release official names and logos “soon,” Blizzard said. More information on the expansion teams and the 2019 tournament will be announced later.

Overwatch League has yet to contemplate localization in season two; work will begin later. “Blizzard’s goal is for the teams to participate in their home market, so that fans in Houston, fans in Shanghai, fans in Seoul, fans in Dallas, have the opportunity to interact directly with the event.” Overwatch League member Nate Anazer speaks.

Blizzard wants to create “regions” for Overwatch League fans, taking place globally. Expansion in China would be the first step. While the Overwatch League is considered a global tournament, we only have four non-North American teams – Guangzhou, London Spitfire, Shanghai Dragon and Seoul Dynasty.

Overwatch League season one ends on July 28 with London Spitfire defeating Philadelphia Fusion in the final. Players will return to the Blizzard Arena Los Angeles in Burbank, California for the All-Star Weekend, which runs from August 25 to 26.