Do esports teams need to be tied to a city? That’s something that I’ve been wondering about with every video game competition announced. Esports organizations such as Cloud9 or Team SoloMid are usually amorphous groups. These collection of players have no home base or affiliation with a region in the same sense as New York Yankees or Chicago Bulls.

It’s a reflection of the decentralized structure of the internet. When playing online casually, distances and borders don’t matter because players get together in the virtual space. That’s how competitors of different nationalities and regions can fall under a team’s umbrella. The sprawling nature makes a team’s appeal cross borders, but at the same time, an element is lost when geography doesn’t play a role.

Location is a major factor when it comes to fandoms in other sports. Teams rally a community. Residents wear team gear on game days. Restaurants, bars and neighborhoods proudly tout their allegiances. That’s why the Overwatch League’s move to bring its teams to their local markets is so big. It gives fans a local bond with that team and makes them more accessible.

In the Bay Area, team co-owner Andy Miller is bringing his San Francisco Shock squad to the region in 2020. Starting in January, the team will live in the region, and the Shock will host two festivals as part of the Overwatch League. These events include a series of matchups that will count toward the Shock’s run in 2020. Currently, the team is in the losers bracket of the 2019 Overwatch League Playoffs. They rebounded from a gut-punch loss to the Atlanta Reign and beat the London Spitfire on Sept. 7. On Sept. 12, they face the Los Angeles Gladiators for a chance to advance in the tournament.

“So many people play games,” Miller said. “They love it. Younger kid play ‘Fortnite.’ Games are a part of us now. It’s a massive part of free time. Now you can have a chance to see it live.”

The Shock will hold two events in the Bay Area. The March 28-29 gathering in the Cow Palace is called First Arrival and features two doubleheaders. On Saturday, the Vancouver Titans will take on the Dallas Fuel while the Shock will battle the Los Angeles Gladiators. The Sunday matchup has the Titans going up against the Gladiators while the Shocks contend with the Los Angeles Valiant.

Miller said the team is bolstering the offerings of First Arrival with carnival games, a sound stage with DJs and local acts. Patrons will have a chance to check out an artists alley and fans can meet with the players of their respective teams.

The July 18-19 event in San Jose is called the Showdown in Silicon Valley. It features three matchups each day. On Saturday, the Fuel go up against the Florida Mayhem, the Valiant take on the Washington Justice and the Shock will try to fend off the Houston Outlaws. On Sunday, the Titans will play the Justice, the Gladiators will try to stop the Mayhem and the Shock meet the Philadelphia Fusion.

Again, the event at the San Jose Civic will have a festival-type atmosphere but with a different theme. At the Showdown, tech innovations will be on display. Aspiring pros can take part in a gaming zone. Miller said a cosplay contest will also be held. All the events will feature food trucks and drinks.

Aside from these home festivals, the Shock will participate in away events at other team’s markets.

“I think it’s a good way to do it,” Miller said. “We can have 14 away matches and 14 home matches but people have to be used to it.”

With the Overwatch League still in its second season and the concept still gaining steam, the idea of esports is still new to many. It will take events like this to establish a strong fan base and name recognition for fans.

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Quick thoughts: Aerial moves could reinvent combat in ‘Monster Hunter Rise’ Miller said as much when mentioned that these productions are a way for fans to not only connect with the teams, but also allow fans to share their passion for esports and “Overwatch” with a wider community.

For me, it makes sense for a game that has its home on the internet. Many people play “Overwatch” but often they don’t meet their teammates or friends face to face. Finding peers of like minds can foster that sense of kinship and make casual followers into dedicated fans of their esports teams.

To buy tickets for the event, go to Shock2020.com.