Mentioned in this article Games: Overwatch

Schools will compete for $40K (USD) in the form of scholarship prize money

The eight-week series will see eight teams compete each week, with each week’s winners advancing to the winner’s round.

There are over 175 schools that field Overwatch teams.

According to a release by Torque Esports, the organization’s esports tournament and broadcast operations subsidiary, UMG Media Ltd., has signed a deal with Activision Blizzard to host an eight-week Overwatch Collegiate Series. The “UMG Overwatch Collegiate Clash” is expected to start in late March.

Schools competing in the series will compete for $40K in scholarship prize money that will be used to “further esports” at each of the winning schools.

“Esports observers have highlighted colleges in the USA as a big opportunity for publishers and brands alike and Torque will use this huge opportunity with Overwatch to prove the value to all parties,” Torque Esports President and CEO, Darren Cox said. “Like stick and ball sports, college competition is becoming the development league where young esports stars of the future are honing their skills and preparing to become professional gamers. It is a clear step to the “big leagues.”

Each of the eight weeks, UMG will see eight teams compete with each week’s winner advancing to the final winner’s round.