One weekend can’t contain all of this year’s BlizzCon eSports action. With the StarCraft II World Championship Series Global Finals, Hearthstone World Championship, and World of Warcraft Arena World Championship all culminating this year at BlizzCon 2014, we needed an extra weekend to squeeze in all of the competitions—and to make sure everyone has a chance to take in as many of the tournaments and events during BlizzCon as possible.

That’s why this year, the global finals for all Blizzard eSports tournaments will get underway a week early at a special World Championship Opening Weekend event taking place at ESL’s Burbank, CA studio October 31 through November 2. There, we’ll be hosting the first rounds of the StarCraft II WCS Global Finals, Hearthstone World Championship, and World of Warcraft Arena World Championship global finals. Of course, you’ll be able to watch it all live online beginning October 31 on our Twitch World Championship Series, Hearthstone, and World of Warcraft channels.

After this action-packed weekend of Blizzard eSports takes place, the global finals for each game will continue at BlizzCon 2014 on November 7 and 8.

Here’s the breakdown of which matches will be conducted during the World Championship Opening Weekend October 31–November 2.

World of Warcraft Arena World Championship

Prize Pool: $250,000

Number of Teams: 8 teams (3 players per team)

World Championship Opening Weekend Schedule:

Friday, October 31, 12pm–6:30pm PT



Each of the 2 dual-tournament groups in the Round of 8 will compete on October 31. Two teams will advance to the Round of 4 bracket (played at BlizzCon November 7) based on the results of these matches, while the other two Ro4 teams will be determined at BlizzCon.

StarCraft II World Championship Series 2014 Global Finals

Prize Pool: $250,000

Number of Players: 16

World Championship Opening Weekend Schedule:

Saturday, November 1, 10am–10pm PT



The Global Finals will follow last year’s tried and true format. The top 16 players in the WCS Global Standings will be seeded into a single elimination bracket. All matches of the Round of 16 bracket will take place November 1. Eight of the 16 players will advance to the Round of 8 matches (played at BlizzCon November 7), while the 8 players who are eliminated will still have a chance to take the stage at BlizzCon in special StarCraft II exhibition matches.

Hearthstone World Championship

Prize Pool: $250,000

Number of Players: 16

World Championship Opening Weekend Schedule:

Sunday, November 2, 10am–10pm PT



Each of the 4 dual-tournament groups in the Round of 16 will compete on November 2. Based on the results of the matches, 4 of these players will advance to the Round of 8 bracket (played at BlizzCon November 8), while the deciding matches of each group will be played at BlizzCon.

You’ll also be able to watch coverage of the BlizzCon opening ceremony and all of the StarCraft II, Hearthstone, World of Warcraft, and Heroes of the Storm matches taking place at BlizzCon for free in HD at www.blizzcon.com. The StarCraft II finals will also be available to watch via the official WCS website.