The BEAT Invitational has returned to North American Overwatch for it's first season of the year. Hosted by Canada's BEAT esports, Season 3 of the online tournament will run from the 4th to the 6th of February. The Philadelphia Fusion's Academy team, Fusion University, and three other currently to-be-announced teams will compete for the event's $6,600 USD prize pool.
Announcing the Overwatch BEAT Invitational Season 3! Casting by @TempoZP & @JKaplan with obs / production by @dashnerrr & head referee @TifaPls. Action begins Feb 4th on https://t.co/Vxe4uusFMh . Initial announcement over at : https://t.co/B8kdhDyURD pic.twitter.com/DiMx9wxM8R
— BEAT esports (@BEATesports) January 30, 2018
A GSL style group stage will be played on the first day of the tournament to determine the playoffs seeding. The four teams will then compete in a double elimination playoffs bracket, with all matches besides the best-of-seven grand final to be played in a best-of-five maps format.
The prize pool will be distrusted as detailed below:
- 1st: $3000
- 2nd: $1800
- 3rd: $1200
- 4th: $600
Season 2 Champions Rogue will not be returning to defend their title after disbanding last year. A schedule for the tournament, as well as the identities of the three unannounced participants, is set to be released by the 30th of January.
Andrew "ZP" Rush, Jason Kaplan and Alex “GoldenBoy” Mendez have been confirmed as the casting talent for the English broadcast at http://www.twitch.tv/beatesports, while Dashner will be heading the production. Additional language streams and talent will be announced at a later date.
Update: BEAT have delayed the announcement of the schedule for Season 3, with plans to expand the tournament to eight teams.
Overwatch BEAT Invitational Season 3 schedule will be delayed roughly 24 hours. We are working on expanding the tournament to 8 teams. Thank you for the patience.
— BEAT esports (@BEATesports) January 31, 2018