Blizzard has announced the dates, map pool and casters for Contenders Season 2 2018.

The next season of Contenders will take place in July, beginning within the first seven days of the month across every region. The dates are as follws:

• China: July 1
• Australia: July 2
• Europe: July 2
• North America: July 3
• Korea: July 4
• South America: July 5
• Pacific: July 6.

All matches will be played on patch 1.24, the current live patch.

Map Pool

Contenders will be using a uniform map pool worldwide. The maps included in this season are as follows:

Control

• Lijiang Tower
• Oasis
• Ilios (Tiebreaker)

Hybrid

• Eichenwalde
• King’s Row

Assault

• Temple of Anubis
• Volskaya Industries

Escort

• Route 66
• Watchpoint: Gibraltar
• Rialto

Casters

Once again, every region will have its own set of talent to broadcast every match. The list will be updated as casters are confirmed. Only confirmed talent lineups are included:

Europe

• Sam “TechGirl” Wright
• Derry “Dezachu” Holt
• Harry “Legday” Pollitt
• Jack “Jaws” Wright
• Thomas “Tridd” Underwood

South America

• Felipe “Tonello” Souza
• Thauê "Nevestudão" Neves
• Arthur "Vecet" Nogueira
• Ana "Ana Xisde" Paula Cardoso
• Lautaro “rkt” Massara
• Juan "Kerykeion" Marco Quiroga
• Micaela "Parkita" Giagnoni
• Juan "Onarr" Martin Tognazzolo

The eight playoff teams from each region's Contenders Season 1 playoffs have automatically qualify for Contenders Season 2. They will be joined by four Trials teams from their regions to fill out the 12 team tournaments. Trials will take place throughout June.