BiliBili Introduces Bi-Weekly League: Overwatch Shadow Cup

BiliBili Esports, one of the biggest esports organizations and fastest-growing websites in China, partnered with Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch to host a bi-weekly online community tournament while most of the major events are cancelled. The tournament, called Overwatch Shadow Cup, will feature Chinese talents and will take place after the conclusion of Contenders China.

BiliBili Esports owns one of the biggest teams in the ongoing season of the Overwatch League, Hangzhou Spark. The Overwatch Shadow Cup can boost Hangzhou Spark’s popularity and allow BiliBili Esports to scout more emerging talents in the Chinese competitive scene. The organization is known for scouting the best talents in local and low-tier competitions since the inaugural season of OWL went public.

Tournament Details

The Overwatch Shadow Cup will feature four invited teams to participate. It will last for four weeks and will crown weekly winners until the grand finals. The teams will compete in a round-robin format where all matches are in four-map sets and BO3 format. The champion team of each week can challenge last week’s champion until the last two teams are settled for the BO4 grand final match.

BiliBili Gaming will sponsor and organize the event, including prize pool distribution and coverage. The total prize pool of the Overwatch Shadow Cup is ¥ 4,000 CNY (≃ $562.27 USD). The prize money for the winner and the runner-up is set at 3,000RMB and 1,000RMB, respectively. All games will be streamed on the BiliBili website. The coverage is led by Chinese broadcasters and commentators from China and Taiwan.

Competing teams

Four of the best teams in China who aren’t part of the ongoing season of the Overwatch League are invited to compete at the Overwatch Shadow Cup.

Light Gaming – a Chinese-based team composed of Taiwanese, South Korean, and Chinese players.

Flag Gaming – a Hangzhou-based team owned by zhanqi.tv and composed of players from the original roster of Team Skadi’s Gift.

Pokomen Max – Formerly known as Dusk Till Dawn, Pokomen Max features pro players from East Asia.

First Fabulous Fighter – a newly-created Chinese team currently competing in Overwatch Contenders.