2018 Overwatch League season

The season's format and schedule were announced in November 2017. The inaugural regular season ran from January 10 to June 17, 2018, broken out into four stages. Each stage lasted five weeks, with a one-week break between each stages. Each regular season week featured twelve games, three matches per day from Wednesday to Saturday, with each team having played in two games that week. During stages one and two of season one, at the end of each stage, the top three teams across both divisions, based on their standings in that stage, played a final set of matches to win a {{USD|100,000}} prize with the runner-up taking a {{USD| 25,000}} prize. As of season one stage three, four teams made each stage playoff. The #1 seed chose their opponent in the first round between the remaining three qualified teams. These matches are played on the final day of the stage.{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/12/12/the-overwatch-league-preseason-results-are-in | title = The Overwatch League Preseason Results Are In | date = December 12, 2017 | access-date = December 12, 2017 | work = IGN }}{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21331089/everything-need-know-overwatch-league-season-1-teams-roster-calendar-news-recaps | title = Overwatch League Season 1 – everything you need to know | date = December 11, 2017 | access-date = December 13, 2017 | work = ESPN }}

The season's free agency signing window opened on January 22, 2018, and closed on April 3, 2018 (the start of Stage 3). During this period, teams could sign any eligible free agent player or make trades with other teams. Any player on a new team contract before the start of Stage 2 on February 21, 2018, was eligible to play during Stage 2. Otherwise, they had to wait until the start of Stage 3. After April 3, team rosters could not be changed until after the completion of the post-season games.{{cite web | url = https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-player-signing-window-20574 | title = Overwatch League's midseason signing window is now open | first = Nicole | last =Carpenter | date = January 26, 2018 | access-date = February 13, 2018 | work = Dot Esports }}

The post-season playoffs were held over three weeks in July 2018. It was a single-elimination playoff featuring 6 teams: each division leader, and the next top four teams from both divisions, with their position seeded by their standings. The Grand Finals were held on July 26 and 27, 2018.

All matches in the inaugural season (except for the Grand Finals) were played at the 350-seat Blizzard Arena, located on the former soundstage for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in Burbank, California.{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/20619703/blizzard-wants-help-usher-new-era-competitive-entertainment-blizzard-arena | title = Blizzard wants to 'help usher in a new era of competitive entertainment' with the Blizzard Arena | date = September 7, 2017 | access-date = April 14, 2018 | work = ESPN }} Games were broadcast on the Overwatch League's website and through Major League Gaming (owned by Blizzard), and by third-party broadcaster Twitch. The Grand Finals were played at Barclays Center in New York City, where all 11,000 seats available were sold out for both days of the event.

Pre-season matches were held from December 6 to 8, 2017. Pre-season matches are exhibition only, and do not count towards the regular season standings. The Philadelphia Fusion had to pull out of pre-season play just before these events, citing "player logistics issues".{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/overwatch/overwatch-league-philadelphia-fusion-preseason | title = Philadelphia Fusion will miss the Overwatch League preseason | first = Dustin | last = Bailey | date = December 5, 2017 | access-date= December 11, 2017 | work = PCGamesN }}

The Overwatch League began the season with a two-year exclusive contract for Overwatch League broadcasting. Its debut week held an overall peak of 441,000 concurrent viewers on its three Twitch channels, with 392,000 English, 65,000 Korean, and 11,500 French viewers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.verdict.co.uk/overwatch-league-viewership/|title=Overwatch League viewership: how does it compare to major sports leagues?|website=www.verdict.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-01-27}} Through the season, average online viewership ran between 80,000 and 170,000.{{cite web | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2018/07/28/overwatch-league-looks-to-future-of-esports-as-london-spitfire-makes-history/ | title = Overwatch League looks to future of esports, as London Spitfire makes history | first = Rick | last = Maese | date = July 28, 2018 | access-date = July 29, 2018 | work = The Washington Post }} At least 310,000 viewers watched the final match of the Grand Finals.

On the first day of the season playoffs, Disney and Blizzard announced a multi-year partnership that would bring the league and other professional Overwatch competitive events to ESPN, Disney XD, and ABC, starting with the playoffs and throughout all of the following season.{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/24062274/overwatch-league-comes-espn-disney-abc | title = Overwatch League comes to ESPN, Disney and ABC | date = July 11, 2018 | access-date = July 11, 2018 | work = ESPN }} Nielsen ratings for the Grand Finals include a 0.18 rating (approximately 218,000 households) for the Friday match airing on ESPN, while the recap of the series airing on ABC on the Sunday after the event had a 0.3 rating (approximately 359,000 households).{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/overwatch-leagues-tv-ratings-were-low-but-it-doesnt-ma-1827985425 | title = Overwatch League's TV Ratings Were Low, But It Doesn't Matter | first= Nathan | last = Grayson | date = July 30, 2018 | access-date = July 31, 2018 | work = Kotaku }} Blizzard estimated that over a million people were watching the Grand Finals at any time, between broadcast and streaming formats, with a total viewership of over 10.8 million.{{cite web | url = https://www.si.com/tech-media/2018/08/01/esports-overwatch-league-grand-finals-espn-ratings-future | title= What is the Future of the Overwatch League as a Media Property? | first = Jacob | last = Feldman | date = August 1, 2018 | access-date = August 2, 2018 | work = Sports Illustrated }}{{cite web | url = https://www.heroesneverdie.com/2018/8/8/17665076/overwatch-league-finals-10-8-million-viewers | title = Blizzard reports 10.8 million viewers for the Overwatch League Finals | first= Austen | last = Goslin | date = August 8, 2018 | access-date = August 8, 2018 | work = Heroes Never Die }}

A team's standing is based on both their overall match win–loss record, with ties broken by their overall round record.

At the end of Stages 1 and 2, the top three teams overall in the current stage, regardless of division, made the stage playoffs. The first seeded team earned a bye, with the second and third seeded teams playing a best-of-5 series to advance to the stage finals. Beginning with Stage 3 of the 2018 season, Blizzard announced changes to the Stage Playoff format. Introduced was a four-team Stage playoffs going forward, so that both teams in the final match will have played the same number of games on that day. The first seed has the option of selecting their opponent for the first round and has home team advantage, with the remaining two teams assigned based on seed ranking. These stage playoffs have no effect on overall standings and are only for bonus prize money.

Teams' overall standings were used for placement in the post-season playoffs. The top team of each division received an automatic bye, while the next top four teams, regardless of division, filled in the remaining tournament slots.

{{2018 Overwatch League standings|1000px}}

Stage 1 ran from January 10, 2018, to February 10, 2018, with Stage playoffs occurring on February 10, 2018.{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/22396061/overwatch-league-week-stage-1-playoffs-recap | title = London Spitfire beats Houston, New York to win Overwatch League Stage 1 playoffs | date = February 10, 2018 | access-date = February 11, 2018 | work = ESPN }}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2018/owl-2018-stage-1 The Overwatch League]

|group_NYE=ATL | team1 = NYE | name_NYE = New York Excelsior | result1 = green1

|group_HOU=ATL | team2 = HOU | name_HOU = Houston Outlaws | result2 = green2

|group_LDN=ATL | team3 = LDN | name_LDN = London Spitfire | result3 = green2

|group_VAL=PAC | team4 = VAL | name_VAL = Los Angeles Valiant | result4 =

|group_SEO=PAC | team5 = SEO | name_SEO = Seoul Dynasty | result5 =

|group_BOS=ATL | team6 = BOS | name_BOS = Boston Uprising | result6 =

|group_PHI=ATL | team7 = PHI | name_PHI = Philadelphia Fusion | result7 =

|group_GLA=PAC | team8 = GLA | name_GLA = Los Angeles Gladiators | result8 =

|group_SFS=PAC | team9 = SFS | name_SFS = San Francisco Shock | result9 =

|group_DAL=PAC | team10 = DAL | name_DAL = Dallas Fuel | result10 =

|group_FLA=ATL | team11 = FLA | name_FLA = Florida Mayhem | result11 =

|group_SHD=PAC | team12 = SHD | name_SHD = Shanghai Dragons | result12 =

| win_NYE = 9 | loss_NYE = 1 | mrw_NYE = 31 | mrl_NYE = 10 | mrt_NYE = 2

| win_HOU = 7 | loss_HOU = 3 | mrw_HOU = 30 | mrl_HOU = 13 | mrt_HOU = 0

| win_LDN = 7 | loss_LDN = 3 | mrw_LDN = 29 | mrl_LDN = 14 | mrt_LDN = 0

| win_VAL = 7 | loss_VAL = 3 | mrw_VAL = 26 | mrl_VAL = 13 | mrt_VAL = 3

| win_SEO = 7 | loss_SEO = 3 | mrw_SEO = 25 | mrl_SEO = 16 | mrt_SEO = 2

| win_BOS = 6 | loss_BOS = 4 | mrw_BOS = 27 | mrl_BOS = 17 | mrt_BOS = 0

| win_PHI = 6 | loss_PHI = 4 | mrw_PHI = 20 | mrl_PHI = 24 | mrt_PHI = 1

| win_GLA = 4 | loss_GLA = 6 | mrw_GLA = 16 | mrl_GLA = 26 | mrt_GLA = 0

| win_SFS = 3 | loss_SFS = 7 | mrw_SFS = 16 | mrl_SFS = 24 | mrt_SFS = 2

| win_DAL = 3 | loss_DAL = 7 | mrw_DAL = 14 | mrl_DAL = 25 | mrt_DAL = 3

| win_FLA = 1 | loss_FLA = 9 | mrw_FLA = 9 | mrl_FLA = 31 | mrt_FLA = 1

| win_SHD = 0 | loss_SHD = 10 | mrw_SHD = 6 | mrl_SHD = 36 | mrt_SHD = 0

|show_groups=yes

|group_header={{abbr|Div|Division}}

|class_rules=1) winning percentage; 2) map differential; 3) head-to-head map differential; 4) head-to-head record

|num_cols=8

|ranking_col=4

|winpoints=1.000

|colstyle4=ppg |col_header4={{abbr|PCT|Winning percentage}}

|colstyle5=mrw |col_header5={{abbr|MW|Map win record}}

|colstyle6=mrl |col_header6={{abbr|ML|Map loss record}}

|colstyle7=mrt |col_header7={{abbr|MT|Map tie record}}

|colstyle8=diff_mrw_mrl |col_header8={{abbr|MD|Map differential}} | plus_sign_diffs=yes

|res_col_header=Q

|col_green1=green1 |text_green1=Advance to stage finals

|col_green2=green2 |text_green2=Advance to stage semifinals

}}

With a league best 9–1 stage record, the New York Excelsior earned a bye directly into the stage finals. In the semifinal match, the Houston Outlaws took an early 1–0 lead over the London Spitfire, but were ultimately defeated 3–1. In the stage final, the New York Excelsior took a commanding 2–0 lead over the Spitfire, but New York could not secure their third match win. The London Spitfire completed a reverse sweep, winning the series 3–2 and their first stage title.

{{3TeamBracket

| RD1=Stage Semifinals
Saturday, February 10, 2018

| RD2=Stage Finals
Saturday, February 10, 2018

|RD1-seed1 = 2

|RD1-team1 = Houston Outlaws

|RD1-score1 = 1

|RD1-seed2 = 3

|RD1-team2 = London Spitfire

|RD1-score2 = 3

|RD2-seed1 = 1

|RD2-team1 = New York Excelsior

|RD2-score1 = 2

|RD2-seed2 = 3

|RD2-team2 = London Spitfire

|RD2-score2 = 3 }}

Stage 2 ran from February 21 to March 24. Following Stage 1, Blizzard took input from players and fans and moved all future Stage playoff matches to Sunday, with Stage 2's playoffs taking place on March 25. This avoided a twelve-hour day of matches, which could see a team playing as many as three different matches in the same day.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/with-overwatch-updates-rolling-out-the-league-prep/1100-6456762/ | title = With Overwatch Updates Rolling Out, The League Prepares For Some Shake Ups | first= Alessandro | last = Fillari | date = February 13, 2018 | access-date = February 13, 2018 | work = GameSpot }}{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/the-overwatch-league-is-getting-a-more-reasonable-schedule-487757.phtml | title = The Overwatch League is getting a more reasonable schedule | first= Jordan |last= Devore | date = February 14, 2018 | access-date = February 14, 2018 | work = Destructoid }} Stage two introduced the Overwatch patch that weakened Mercy's resurrection abilities, which outside of League play had caused her to be played less frequently.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/overwatch/overwatch-league-stage-two | title = Trades, Mercy nerfs, and new schedules – what to expect from stage two of Overwatch League | first = Dustin | last = Bailey | date = February 14, 2018 | access-date = May 15, 2018 | work = PCGamesN }}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2018/owl-2018-stage-2 The Overwatch League]

|group_NYE=ATL | team1 = NYE | name_NYE = New York Excelsior | result1 = green1

|group_LDN=ATL | team2 = LDN | name_LDN = London Spitfire | result2 = green2

|group_PHI=ATL | team3 = PHI | name_PHI = Philadelphia Fusion | result3 = green2

|group_SEO=PAC | team4 = SEO | name_SEO = Seoul Dynasty | result4 =

|group_GLA=PAC | team5 = GLA | name_GLA = Los Angeles Gladiators | result5 =

|group_BOS=ATL | team6 = BOS | name_BOS = Boston Uprising | result6 =

|group_HOU=ATL | team7 = HOU | name_HOU = Houston Outlaws | result7 =

|group_VAL=PAC | team8 = VAL | name_VAL = Los Angeles Valiant | result8 =

|group_SFS=PAC | team9 = SFS | name_SFS = San Francisco Shock | result9 =

|group_FLA=ATL | team10 = FLA | name_FLA = Florida Mayhem | result10 =

|group_DAL=PAC | team11 = DAL | name_DAL = Dallas Fuel | result11 =

|group_SHD=PAC | team12 = SHD | name_SHD = Shanghai Dragons | result12 =

| win_NYE = 9 | loss_NYE = 1 | mrw_NYE = 34 | mrl_NYE = 9 | mrt_NYE = 0

| win_LDN = 8 | loss_LDN = 2 | mrw_LDN = 31 | mrl_LDN = 11 | mrt_LDN = 0

| win_PHI = 7 | loss_PHI = 3 | mrw_PHI = 27 | mrl_PHI = 15 | mrt_PHI = 0

| win_SEO = 7 | loss_SEO = 3 | mrw_SEO = 25 | mrl_SEO = 16 | mrt_SEO = 0

| win_GLA = 6 | loss_GLA = 4 | mrw_GLA = 25 | mrl_GLA = 16 | mrt_GLA = 1

| win_BOS = 6 | loss_BOS = 4 | mrw_BOS = 21 | mrl_BOS = 22 | mrt_BOS = 0

| win_HOU = 5 | loss_HOU = 5 | mrw_HOU = 22 | mrl_HOU = 22 | mrt_HOU = 0

| win_VAL = 4 | loss_VAL = 6 | mrw_VAL = 18 | mrl_VAL = 23 | mrt_VAL = 1

| win_SFS = 3 | loss_SFS = 7 | mrw_SFS = 15 | mrl_SFS = 22 | mrt_SFS = 1

| win_FLA = 3 | loss_FLA = 7 | mrw_FLA = 15 | mrl_FLA = 27 | mrt_FLA = 1

| win_DAL = 2 | loss_DAL = 8 | mrw_DAL = 13 | mrl_DAL = 28 | mrt_DAL = 1

| win_SHD = 0 | loss_SHD = 10 | mrw_SHD = 2 | mrl_SHD = 37 | mrt_SHD = 1

|show_groups=yes

|group_header={{abbr|Div|Division}}

|class_rules=1) winning percentage; 2) map differential; 3) head-to-head map differential; 4) head-to-head record

|num_cols=8

|ranking_col=4

|winpoints=1.000

|colstyle4=ppg |col_header4={{abbr|PCT|Winning percentage}}

|colstyle5=mrw |col_header5={{abbr|MW|Map win record}}

|colstyle6=mrl |col_header6={{abbr|ML|Map loss record}}

|colstyle7=mrt |col_header7={{abbr|MT|Map tie record}}

|colstyle8=diff_mrw_mrl |col_header8={{abbr|MD|Map differential}} | plus_sign_diffs=yes

|res_col_header=Q

|col_green1=green1 |text_green1=Advance to stage finals

|col_green2=green2 |text_green2=Advance to stage semifinals

}}

The New York Excelsior finished with the best stage record again, earning another bye into the stage finals. The semifinal match featured the London Spitfire, looking to repeat on their Stage 1 championship, against the Philadelphia Fusion. The Fusion won the series, 3–2.

In the finals, the Fusion took 2–0 lead over the Excelsior, though New York came back and completed a reverse sweep to win the series and their first stage title.

{{3TeamBracket

| RD1=Stage Semifinals
Sunday, March 25, 2018

| RD2=Stage Finals
Sunday, March 25, 2018

|RD1-seed1 = 2

|RD1-team1 = London Spitfire

|RD1-score1 = 2

|RD1-seed2 = 3

|RD1-team2 = Philadelphia Fusion

|RD1-score2 = 3

|RD2-seed1 = 1

|RD2-team1 = New York Excelsior

|RD2-score1 = 3

|RD2-seed2 = 3

|RD2-team2 = Philadelphia Fusion

|RD2-score2 = 2 }}

Stage 3 ran from April 4 to May 5, with the stage playoffs occurring on May 6. This stage introduced a four-team stage playoffs format so both teams in the final match will have played the same number of games on that day. The first seed was given the option of selecting their opponent for the first round and received home team advantage, with the remaining two teams assigned based on seed ranking.{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/article/104131/overwatch-league-adding-fourth-team-to-stage-finals | title = Overwatch League Adding Fourth Team to Stage Finals | first= Ozzie | last = Mejia | date = April 2, 2018 | access-date = April 2, 2018 | work = Shacknews }} Stage 3 introduced the Hybrid map "Blizzard World," which was released in November 2017, to the map pool. Stage 3 also introduced the patch that buffed Sombra's abilities, making her a more frequent component in winning team combinations.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/expect-to-see-a-lot-of-sombra-in-overwatch-league-stage-3/ | title = Expect to see a lot of Sombra in Overwatch League stage 3 | first = Damian | last = Alonzo | date = April 17, 2018 | access-date = May 15, 2018 | work = PC Gamer }}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/tournaments/may-melee The Overwatch League]

|group_BOS=ATL | team1 = BOS | name_BOS = Boston Uprising | result1 = green1

|group_NYE=ATL | team2 = NYE | name_NYE = New York Excelsior | result2 = green1

|group_VAL=PAC | team3 = VAL | name_VAL = Los Angeles Valiant | result3 = green1

|group_GLA=PAC | team4 = GLA | name_GLA = Los Angeles Gladiators | result4 = green1

|group_SFS=PAC | team5 = SFS | name_SFS = San Francisco Shock | result5 =

|group_LDN=ATL | team6 = LDN | name_LDN = London Spitfire | result6 =

|group_PHI=ATL | team7 = PHI | name_PHI = Philadelphia Fusion | result7 =

|group_SEO=PAC | team8 = SEO | name_SEO = Seoul Dynasty | result8 =

|group_HOU=ATL | team9 = HOU | name_HOU = Houston Outlaws | result9 =

|group_FLA=ATL | team10 = FLA | name_FLA = Florida Mayhem | result10 =

|group_DAL=PAC | team11 = DAL | name_DAL = Dallas Fuel | result11 =

|group_SHD=PAC | team12 = SHD | name_SHD = Shanghai Dragons | result12 =

| win_BOS = 10 | loss_BOS = 0 | mrw_BOS = 31 | mrl_BOS = 13 | mrt_BOS = 1

| win_NYE = 9 | loss_NYE = 1 | mrw_NYE = 33 | mrl_NYE = 11 | mrt_NYE = 0

| win_VAL = 7 | loss_VAL = 3 | mrw_VAL = 28 | mrl_VAL = 15 | mrt_VAL = 1

| win_GLA = 6 | loss_GLA = 4 | mrw_GLA = 25 | mrl_GLA = 19 | mrt_GLA = 1

| win_SFS = 6 | loss_SFS = 4 | mrw_SFS = 21 | mrl_SFS = 20 | mrt_SFS = 0

| win_LDN = 5 | loss_LDN = 5 | mrw_LDN = 24 | mrl_LDN = 21 | mrt_LDN = 1

| win_PHI = 5 | loss_PHI = 5 | mrw_PHI = 24 | mrl_PHI = 23 | mrt_PHI = 0

| win_SEO = 5 | loss_SEO = 5 | mrw_SEO = 22 | mrl_SEO = 21 | mrt_SEO = 1

| win_HOU = 4 | loss_HOU = 6 | mrw_HOU = 20 | mrl_HOU = 24 | mrt_HOU = 1

| win_FLA = 2 | loss_FLA = 8 | mrw_FLA = 11 | mrl_FLA = 28 | mrt_FLA = 2

| win_DAL = 1 | loss_DAL = 9 | mrw_DAL = 9 | mrl_DAL = 30 | mrt_DAL = 2

| win_SHD = 0 | loss_SHD = 10 | mrw_SHD = 9 | mrl_SHD = 32 | mrt_SHD = 0

|show_groups=yes

|group_header={{abbr|Div|Division}}

|class_rules=1) winning percentage; 2) map differential; 3) head-to-head map differential; 4) head-to-head record

|num_cols=8

|ranking_col=4

|winpoints=1.000

|colstyle4=ppg |col_header4={{abbr|PCT|Winning percentage}}

|colstyle5=mrw |col_header5={{abbr|MW|Map win record}}

|colstyle6=mrl |col_header6={{abbr|ML|Map loss record}}

|colstyle7=mrt |col_header7={{abbr|MT|Map tie record}}

|colstyle8=diff_mrw_mrl |col_header8={{abbr|MD|Map differential}} | plus_sign_diffs=yes

|res_col_header=Q

|col_green1=green1 |text_green1=Advance to stage playoffs

}}

Following the conclusion of Stage 3, the top seeded Boston Uprising became the first team in Overwatch League history to go undefeated in a stage. As the top seed, they earned the right to choose their first round opponent for the stage playoffs. They chose the fourth seed Los Angeles Gladiators, achieving a 3–0 match win. The second seed New York Excelsior also defeated the Los Angeles Valiant with a 3–0 win. The Excelsior won the final match over the Uprising in a 3–0 victory, marking their second stage championship win.

{{4TeamBracket

| RD1=Stage Semifinals
Sunday, May 6, 2018

| RD2=Stage Finals
Sunday, May 6, 2018

|RD1-seed1 = 1

|RD1-team1 = Boston Uprising

|RD1-score1 = 3

|RD1-seed2 = 4

|RD1-team2 = Los Angeles Gladiators

|RD1-score2 = 0

|RD1-seed3 = 2

|RD1-team3 = New York Excelsior

|RD1-score3 = 3

|RD1-seed4 = 3

|RD1-team4 = Los Angeles Valiant

|RD1-score4 = 0

|RD2-seed1 = 1

|RD2-team1 = Boston Uprising

|RD2-score1 = 0

|RD2-seed2 = 2

|RD2-team2 = New York Excelsior

|RD2-score2 = 3

}}

Stage 4 ran from May 16 to June 16, with the Stage playoffs occurring on June 17. Teams competed using the version of Overwatch which first introduced the support hero Brigitte, but prior to a patch that adjusted her strength and which introduced a revamped skill kit for Hanzo. The decision to play on the former patch was made due to a bug in the later patch that could not be fixed before the start of Stage 4.{{cite web | url = https://compete.kotaku.com/why-overwatch-leagues-regular-season-will-end-on-a-wack-1826052972 | title = Why Overwatch League's Regular Season Will End On A Wacky, Short-Lived Patch | first = Nathan | last = Grayson | date = May 15, 2018 | access-date = May 15, 2018 | work = Kotaku }}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2018/owl-2018-stage-4 The Overwatch League]

|group_GLA=PAC | team1 = GLA | name_GLA = Los Angeles Gladiators | result1 = green1

|group_VAL=PAC | team2 = VAL | name_VAL = Los Angeles Valiant | result2 = green1

|group_NYE=ATL | team3 = NYE | name_NYE = New York Excelsior | result3 = green1

|group_DAL=PAC | team4 = DAL | name_DAL = Dallas Fuel | result4 = green1

|group_HOU=ATL | team5 = HOU | name_HOU = Houston Outlaws | result5 =

|group_PHI=ATL | team6 = PHI | name_PHI = Philadelphia Fusion | result6 =

|group_SFS=PAC | team7 = SFS | name_SFS = San Francisco Shock | result7 =

|group_BOS=ATL | team8 = BOS | name_BOS = Boston Uprising | result8 =

|group_LDN=ATL | team9 = LDN | name_LDN = London Spitfire | result9 =

|group_SEO=PAC | team10 = SEO | name_SEO = Seoul Dynasty | result10 =

|group_FLA=ATL | team11 = FLA | name_FLA = Florida Mayhem | result11 =

|group_SHD=PAC | team12 = SHD | name_SHD = Shanghai Dragons | result12 =

| win_GLA = 9 | loss_GLA = 1 | mrw_GLA = 30 | mrl_GLA = 11 | mrt_GLA = 1

| win_VAL = 9 | loss_VAL = 1 | mrw_VAL = 28 | mrl_VAL = 13 | mrt_VAL = 2

| win_NYE = 7 | loss_NYE = 3 | mrw_NYE = 28 | mrl_NYE = 13 | mrt_NYE = 2

| win_DAL = 6 | loss_DAL = 4 | mrw_DAL = 22 | mrl_DAL = 17 | mrt_DAL = 1

| win_HOU = 6 | loss_HOU = 4 | mrw_HOU = 22 | mrl_HOU = 18 | mrt_HOU = 1

| win_PHI = 6 | loss_PHI = 4 | mrw_PHI = 22 | mrl_PHI = 18 | mrt_PHI = 1

| win_SFS = 5 | loss_SFS = 5 | mrw_SFS = 23 | mrl_SFS = 16 | mrt_SFS = 2

| win_BOS = 4 | loss_BOS = 6 | mrw_BOS = 20 | mrl_BOS = 19 | mrt_BOS = 2

| win_LDN = 4 | loss_LDN = 6 | mrw_LDN = 18 | mrl_LDN = 23 | mrt_LDN = 2

| win_SEO = 3 | loss_SEO = 7 | mrw_SEO = 19 | mrl_SEO = 25 | mrt_SEO = 0

| win_FLA = 1 | loss_FLA = 9 | mrw_FLA = 7 | mrl_FLA = 34 | mrt_FLA = 1

| win_SHD = 0 | loss_SHD = 10 | mrw_SHD = 4 | mrl_SHD = 36 | mrt_SHD = 1

|show_groups=yes

|group_header={{abbr|Div|Division}}

|class_rules=1) winning percentage; 2) map differential; 3) head-to-head map differential; 4) head-to-head record

|num_cols=8

|ranking_col=4

|winpoints=1.000

|colstyle4=ppg |col_header4={{abbr|PCT|Winning percentage}}

|colstyle5=mrw |col_header5={{abbr|MW|Map win record}}

|colstyle6=mrl |col_header6={{abbr|ML|Map loss record}}

|colstyle7=mrt |col_header7={{abbr|MT|Map tie record}}

|colstyle8=diff_mrw_mrl |col_header8={{abbr|MD|Map differential}} | plus_sign_diffs=yes

|res_col_header=Q

|col_green1=green1 |text_green1=Advance to stage playoffs

}}

After the group stage, the Los Angeles Gladiators finished atop the league via a map differential tiebreaker. They earned the right to choose their opponent for the first round of the playoffs. For the first time in this selection process, the team with the best record did not choose the lowest ranked team. They choose their crosstown rivals, the second-seeded Los Angeles Valiant. The Valiant won the series in 5 maps. In the next series, the two-time stage champion New York Excelsior defeated the Dallas Fuel, 3–2. The Excelsior were unable to win their third consecutive stage championship, losing to the Valiant, 3–1.

{{4TeamBracket

| RD1=Stage Semifinals
Sunday, June 17, 2018

| RD2=Stage Finals
Sunday, June 17, 2018

|RD1-seed1 = 1

|RD1-team1 = Los Angeles Gladiators

|RD1-score1 = 2

|RD1-seed2 = 2

|RD1-team2 = Los Angeles Valiant

|RD1-score2 = 3

|RD1-seed3 = 3

|RD1-team3 = New York Excelsior

|RD1-score3 = 3

|RD1-seed4 = 4

|RD1-team4 = Dallas Fuel

|RD1-score4 = 2

|RD2-seed1 = 2

|RD2-team1 = Los Angeles Valiant

|RD2-score1 = 3

|RD2-seed2 = 3

|RD2-team2 = New York Excelsior

|RD2-score2 = 1

}}

{{main|2018 Overwatch League playoffs}}

After the regular season, the New York Excelsior and the Los Angeles Valiant finished atop their respective divisions, earning first-round byes. The next four remaining teams, Boston Uprising, Los Angeles Gladiators, London Spitfire, and Philadelphia Fusion, were seeded according to regular season record, regardless of division. The third-seeded Uprising played the sixth-seeded Fusion, while the fourth-seeded Gladiators played the fifth-seeded Spitfire. Each series was a best of 3 matches (each match was best of 5 maps). The winners of the two semifinal matches advanced to the Grand Finals, which took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York from July 27–28.{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/09/overwatch-league-grand-finals-to-be-held-at-barclays-center | title = Overwatch League Grand Finals To Be Held At New York's Barclays Center | first = James | last = Duggan | date = May 9, 2018 | access-date = May 9, 2018 | work = IGN }}{{cite web | url =https://www.heroesneverdie.com/2018/5/9/17335458/overwatch-league-grand-finals-location-new-york-city-barclays-brooklyn | title = The first Overwatch League Grand Finals will be held in New York | first = Austin | last = Goslin | date = May 9, 2018 | access-date = May 9, 2018 | work = Heroes Never Die }}

{{6TeamBracket|RD1-RD2-path=0

| RD1 = Quarterfinals
July 11–14, 2018

| RD2 = Semifinals
July 18–21, 2018

| RD3 = Grand Finals
July 27–28, 2018

| RD1-seed1 = 3

| RD1-team1 = Boston Uprising

| RD1-score1 = 1

| RD1-seed2 = 6

| RD1-team2 = Philadelphia Fusion

| RD1-score2 = 2

| RD1-seed3 = 4

| RD1-team3 = Los Angeles Gladiators

| RD1-score3 = 1

| RD1-seed4 = 5

| RD1-team4 = London Spitfire

| RD1-score4 = 2

|RD2-seed1 = 1

|RD2-team1 = New York Excelsior

|RD2-score1 = 0

|RD2-seed2 = 6

|RD2-team2 = Philadelphia Fusion

|RD2-score2 = 2

|RD2-seed3 = 2

|RD2-team3 = Los Angeles Valiant

|RD2-score3 = 0

|RD2-seed4 = 5

|RD2-team4 = London Spitfire

|RD2-score4 = 2

|RD3-seed1 = 5

|RD3-team1 = London Spitfire

|RD3-score1 = 2

|RD3-seed2 = 6

|RD3-team2 = Philadelphia Fusion

|RD3-score2 = 0 }}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break|width=50%}}

{{col-break|width=50%}}

{{col-end}}

{{main|2018 Overwatch League Grand Finals}}

File:Pongphop Rattanasangchod.png]]

From JJonak's MVP award, Blizzard created a special cosmetic skin for Zenyatta, the character that JJonak most frequently played, which was offered to viewers and players during the 2019 season.{{cite web | url = https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/06/22/overwatch-leagues-first-mvp-skin-is-pretty-lucky/ |title = Overwatch League's first MVP skin is pretty, lucky | first = Jay | last = Castello | date = June 22, 2019 | access-date = June 22, 2019 | work = Rock Paper Shotgun }}

{{main|2018 Overwatch League All-Star Game}}

The 2018 Overwatch League All-Star Game was the Overwatch League's first edition of an all-star game that involved the All-Star players of the league. The game was played on August 26, 2018, and was the culmination of the league's All-Star Weekend, a two-day event that consisted of Lúcioball, Mystery Heroes, a Widowmaker 1v1 tournament, Talent Takedown, and Lockout Elimination. All of the events were played at Blizzard Arena in Burbank, California. The game was televised by Disney XD and ESPN3 and streamed live on Twitch.{{cite news |last=McClusty |first=Kevin |title=Overwatch's All Star weekend starts soon, here's how to watch it |date=August 25, 2018 |work=Destructoid |url=https://www.destructoid.com/overwatch-s-all-star-weekend-starts-soon-here-s-how-to-watch-it-519951.phtml |access-date=March 31, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Steve |title=Overwatch League All-Star Game results detailed here |date=August 28, 2018 |work=Stevivor |url=https://stevivor.com/news/esports/overwatch-league-star-game-results-detailed/ |access-date=March 31, 2019}}

Teams in the first season competed for a total prize pool of {{USD|3.5 million}} across regular season play, stage finals, and playoffs. By league rules, at least 50% of these winnings were split among the team's members, the remaining going to the team's owner.

{{Col-begin}}

{{col-break|width=33%}}

{{col-break|width=33%}}

{{col-break|width=33%}}

{{Col-end}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official|https://overwatchleague.com/en-us}}
• {{official|https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/content_entry_media/eo/EOC4AITZTVME1519148239333.pdf|2018 Overwatch League Official Rules}}

{{Overwatch}}

{{Overwatch League}}

{{2018 OWL season by team}}

Overwatch