Dallas Fuel's Success Drives Overwatch League to Expand Esports Home Games

The Dallas Fuel's successful esports homestand this spring is a key driver in the Overwatch League's decision to expand the matches it puts on in teams' cities in the 2020 season.The esports league on Tuesday revealed plans for each of its 20 teams to host a home-and-away schedule in 2020 that'll span three continents. The league experimented this year with homestands in Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles."When Dallas took the stage at that first event, and then (last) weekend when Atlanta took the stage, the whole arena just erupted to support their local team," Overwatch League Commissioner Pete Vlastelica said. "That's the first time that's happened in esports."The North Texas event sold out in April, drawing more than 4,500 people to the Allen Event Center on each of two days in the league's first games held in a team city.The expansion of home games next season could mark a turning point for the industry as teams push to build a following in the cities where their fans live. Until now, esports competitions have largely been concentrated in Los Angeles.  Continue reading...