Next weekend will mark the first time the Overwatch League travels outside the Blizzard Arena in Burbank, California to begin the process of the long-awaited home and away matches. The League will be starting home and away matchups full-time in 2020, but for now, fans will get a sneak peek of the spectacle in one of three Homestand events this season. The Dallas Fuel will be the first team to host their matches, on April 27 and 28, at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas, just north of Dallas.
The first of the Homestand Weekend matches will feature Paris Eternal vs. London Spitfire, Hangzhou Spark vs. Chengdu Hunters, Houston Outlaws vs. Seoul Dynasty, and Los Angeles Valiant vs. Dallas Fuel on Saturday, April 27. The following day, Sunday, April 28, will feature Hangzhou Spark vs. Paris Eternal, Chengdu Hunters vs. London Spitfire, Seoul Dynasty vs. Los Angeles Valiant, and finally Houston Outlaws vs. Dallas Fuel. Unfortunately, tickets for the event are already sold out, but tickets for the afterparty, hosted by GameStop, are still available.
Mike Rufail, a Texas native and owner of the Dallas Fuel, is excited for the opportunity to be the first team to host. “It is an honor to have Dallas selected as the first team to bring Overwatch League matches into a home market,” said Rufail in a post on the Dallas Fuel website. “Fans from all around the world will have a chance to make esports history with us in North Texas. We will deliver an experience and weekend of entertainment that lives up to Texas standards.”
Two more Homestand Weekends are scheduled for later in the year, on July 6-7 hosted by the Atlanta Reign and the other on August 24-25 hosted by the Los Angeles Valiant. More details on the remaining events this season, as well as ticket information, will be released as the dates draw closer.