2021 Overwatch League season#Play-in tournaments

After all matches were rescheduled to be played strictly online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season saw the OWL divide teams into two regions, North America and Asia, in an effort to reduce lag due to online play. For the 2021 season, the twenty teams were divided into two regions, the East and West. Eight teams from China and South Korea competed in the East Region, while twelve teams from North America and Europe competed in the West Division.{{cite news |last1=Amenabar |first1=Teddy |title=Overwatch League wants to 'level-up' online matches, tournaments for 2021 season |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2021/01/14/overwatch-league-2021-season-tournaments/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 14, 2021}}

The majority of matches in the 2021 season were played online. Three live events were planned to be hosted by three teams in China: Hangzhou Spark in June, Shanghai Dragons in July, and Guangzhou Charge in August. All five China-based teams travelled to these events, while the three Korea-based teams played at the events remotely via the league's cloud server.{{cite news |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title=The Overwatch League is bringing back some live matches with a trio of events in China |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/14/22380705/overwatch-league-2021-season-live-events-china |access-date=April 14, 2021 |work=The Verge |date=April 14, 2021}} The Charge's homestand in August was cancelled, however, due to COVID-19 concerns.{{cite news |last1=Michael |first1=Cale |title=Guangzhou Charge and Overwatch League cancel Countdown Cup Homestand due to COVID-19 concerns |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/guangzhou-charge-and-overwatch-league-cancel-countdown-cup-homestand-due-to-covid-19-concerns |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=June 21, 2021}} Additionally, the Dallas Fuel hosted a homestand in July at Esports Stadium Arlington.{{cite news |last1=Stern |first1=Adam |title=Dallas Fuel Homestand at Esports Stadium Arlington in July Will Have Audience |url=https://esportsobserver.com/dallas-fuel-esa-homestand/ |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=The Esports Observer |date=June 14, 2021}}

The league expanded upon the tournament format that was introduced in the 2020 season. Four standalone tournaments, the May Melee, June Joust, Summer Showdown, and Countdown Cup, were spread throughout the regular season with teams from both regions competing against each other.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Overwatch League announces 2021 season structure, will begin in April |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-announces-2021-season-structure-will-begin-in-april |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=January 14, 2021}} Hero pools, a system in which some heroes are unplayable, were used in two of the four tournaments: the June Joust and Countdown Cup. For each tournament, teams played four weeks of regional qualifier matches.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=The Overwatch League returns on April 16 |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-2021-returns-april-16 |access-date=February 24, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=February 20, 2021}} The top six teams from the West and the top four teams from the East advanced to regional knockout matches, and the top two teams from each region advanced from the knockouts to play in the interregional tournament.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Ethan |title=How to watch the 2021 Overwatch League season |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/how-to-watch-the-2021-overwatch-league-season |access-date=April 14, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=April 13, 2021}} In an effort to minimize lag, the qualifying Western teams traveled to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for each interregional tournament. The internet service provider at the University of Hawaii was directly connected to a cloud-based server in Tokyo, Japan via an underwater sea cable, while the qualifying Eastern teams did not travel anywhere and connected to the Tokyo server from Asia. With this setup, the league was able to equal latencies for all participating players with a "minimum-latency tool" developed by Activision.{{cite news |last1=Bumbaca |first1=Chris |title=Aloha! How esports Overwatch League discovered Hawaii was key to 2021 in-season tournaments |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/gaming/2021/04/14/esports-overwatch-league-hawaii-tournament-schedule/7204014002/ |access-date=April 14, 2021 |work=USA Today |date=April 14, 2021}}

Contrasted to previous seasons, where playoff seeding was determined by teams' win–loss record throughout the regular season, the league implemented a point system, called League Points, to determine regular season standings. Every win in the regular season earned a team one point. A first-, second-, or third-place finish in each midseason tournament earned the placing team an additional three, two, or one point, respectively. A total of eight teams advanced to the season playoffs: the top three teams from the West and the top two teams from the East, based on League Points, advanced directly to the season playoffs. Seeds four through nine in the Western region and seeds three through five in the Eastern region in the advanced to their respective region's play-in tournament, with two teams from the West and one team from the East advancing to the season playoffs.{{cite news |title=OWL 2021 Playoffs |url=https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/2021-playoffs |access-date=July 20, 2021 |work=The Overwatch League}}

The 2021 schedule was released on February 20, 2021, and the regular season began on April 16.{{cite news |last1=Bumbaca |first1=Chris |title=Overwatch League releases 2021 season schedule: 6 games to look forward to |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/gaming/2021/02/20/overwatch-league-2021-season-schedule-watch/4497602001/ |access-date=April 20, 2021 |work=USA Today |date=February 20, 2021}}

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{2021 Overwatch League East standings|width=90%}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{2021 Overwatch League West standings|width=90%}}

{{Columns-end}}

The May Melee was the first of four midseason tournaments of the season. Qualifiers began on April 16 and concluded on May 1. The regional knockouts began on May 2, and the May Melee tournament between the top two teams from each region began on May 7.

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2021/owl-2021-may-melee-qualifiers The Overwatch League]

| team1 = PHI | name_PHI = Philadelphia Fusion | result1 = green1

| team2 = SEO | name_SEO = Seoul Dynasty | result2 = green1

| team3 = CHD | name_CHD = Chengdu Hunters | result3 = green1

| team4 = SHD | name_SHD = Shanghai Dragons | result4 = green1

| team5 = HZS | name_HZS = Hangzhou Spark | result5 =

| team6 = GZC | name_GZC = Guangzhou Charge | result6 =

| team7 = NYE | name_NYE = New York Excelsior | result7 =

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

| win_PHI = 4 | loss_PHI = 0 | mrw_PHI = 12 | mrl_PHI = 3 | mrt_PHI = 0

| win_SEO = 3 | loss_SEO = 1 | mrw_SEO = 10 | mrl_SEO = 3 | mrt_SEO = 0

| win_CHD = 3 | loss_CHD = 1 | mrw_CHD = 10 | mrl_CHD = 4 | mrt_CHD = 0

| win_SHD = 3 | loss_SHD = 1 | mrw_SHD = 9 | mrl_SHD = 5 | mrt_SHD = 1

| win_HZS = 1 | loss_HZS = 3 | mrw_HZS = 7 | mrl_HZS = 9 | mrt_HZS = 0

| win_GZC = 1 | loss_GZC = 3 | mrw_GZC = 3 | mrl_GZC = 9 | mrt_GZC = 1

| win_NYE = 1 | loss_NYE = 3 | mrw_NYE = 3 | mrl_NYE = 10 | mrt_NYE = 0

| win_VAL = 0 | loss_VAL = 4 | mrw_VAL = 1 | mrl_VAL = 12 | mrt_VAL = 0

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

|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 regional knockouts

|col_blue1=blue1 |text_blue1=

|col_yellow1=yellow1 |text_yellow1=

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2021/owl-2021-may-melee-qualifiers The Overwatch League]

| team1 = WAS | name_WAS = Washington Justice | result1 = green1

| team2 = HOU | name_HOU = Houston Outlaws | result2 = green1

| team3 = SFS | name_SFS = San Francisco Shock | result3 = green1

| team4 = FLA | name_FLA = Florida Mayhem | result4 = green1

| team5 = TOR | name_TOR = Toronto Defiant | result5 = green1

| team6 = DAL | name_DAL = Dallas Fuel | result6 = green1

| team7 = GLA | name_GLA = Los Angeles Gladiators | result7 =

| team8 = ATL | name_ATL = Atlanta Reign | result8 =

| team9 = PAR | name_PAR = Paris Eternal | result9 =

| team10 = BOS | name_BOS = Boston Uprising | result10 =

| team11 = VAN | name_VAN = Vancouver Titans | result11 =

| team12 = LDN | name_LDN = London Spitfire | result12 =

| win_WAS = 4 | loss_WAS = 0 | mrw_WAS = 12 | mrl_WAS = 3 | mrt_WAS = 0

| win_HOU = 4 | loss_HOU = 0 | mrw_HOU = 12 | mrl_HOU = 5 | mrt_HOU = 1

| win_SFS = 3 | loss_SFS = 1 | mrw_SFS = 11 | mrl_SFS = 6 | mrt_SFS = 1

| win_FLA = 3 | loss_FLA = 1 | mrw_FLA = 9 | mrl_FLA = 6 | mrt_FLA = 0

| win_TOR = 3 | loss_TOR = 1 | mrw_TOR = 9 | mrl_TOR = 7 | mrt_TOR = 0

| win_DAL = 2 | loss_DAL = 2 | mrw_DAL = 9 | mrl_DAL = 7 | mrt_DAL = 0

| win_GLA = 2 | loss_GLA = 2 | mrw_GLA = 8 | mrl_GLA = 6 | mrt_GLA = 0

| win_ATL = 1 | loss_ATL = 3 | mrw_ATL = 8 | mrl_ATL = 9 | mrt_ATL = 0

| win_PAR = 1 | loss_PAR = 3 | mrw_PAR = 5 | mrl_PAR = 10 | mrt_PAR = 0

| win_BOS = 1 | loss_BOS = 3 | mrw_BOS = 4 | mrl_BOS = 11 | mrt_BOS = 0

| win_VAN = 0 | loss_VAN = 4 | mrw_VAN = 4 | mrl_VAN = 12 | mrt_VAN = 0

| win_LDN = 0 | loss_LDN = 4 | mrw_LDN = 3 | mrl_LDN = 12 | mrt_LDN = 0

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

|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 regional knockouts

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{4TeamBracket-info|maxround=1

| RD1-seed1 = 1

| RD1-team1 = Philadelphia Fusion

| RD1-score1 = 2

| RD1-seed2 = 4

| RD1-team2 = Shanghai Dragons

| RD1-score2 = 3

| RD1-seed3 = 2

| RD1-team3 = Seoul Dynasty

| RD1-score3 = 1

| RD1-seed4 = 3

| RD1-team4 = Chengdu Hunters

| RD1-score4 = 3

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{6TeamBracket-info|maxround=2

| RD1=Semifinals |RD2=Finals

| RD1-seed1=4

| RD1-team1=Florida Mayhem

| RD1-score1=3

| RD1-seed2=5

| RD1-team2=Toronto Defiant

| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=3

| RD1-team3=San Francisco Shock

| RD1-score3=0

| RD1-seed4=6

| RD1-team4=Dallas Fuel

| RD1-score4=3

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Washington Justice

| RD2-score1=1

| RD2-seed2=4

| RD2-team2=Florida Mayhem

| RD2-score2=3

| RD2-seed3=2

| RD2-team3=Houston Outlaws

| RD2-score3=0

| RD2-seed4=6

| RD2-team4=Dallas Fuel

| RD2-score4=3

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{4Team2ElimBracketExceptFinal

| RD2=Upper finals

| RD3=Finals

| RD1b=Lower round 1

| RD2b=Lower finals

| RD1-seed1=W1

| RD1-team1=Florida Mayhem

| RD1-score1=2

| RD1-seed2=E2

| RD1-team2=Shanghai Dragons

| RD1-score2=3

| RD1-seed3=E1

| RD1-team3=Chengdu Hunters

| RD1-score3=1

| RD1-seed4=W2

| RD1-team4=Dallas Fuel

| RD1-score4=3

| RD2-seed1=E2

| RD2-team1=Shanghai Dragons

| RD2-score1=2

| RD2-seed2=W2

| RD2-team2=Dallas Fuel

| RD2-score2=3

| RD1-seed5=W1

| RD1-team5=Florida Mayhem

| RD1-score5=3

| RD1-seed6=E1

| RD1-team6=Chengdu Hunters

| RD1-score6=1

| RD2-seed3=E2

| RD2-team3=Shanghai Dragons

| RD2-score3=3

| RD2-seed4=W1

| RD2-team4=Florida Mayhem

| RD2-score4=0

| RD3-seed1=W2

| RD3-team1=Dallas Fuel

| RD3-score1=4

| RD3-seed2=E2

| RD3-team2=Shanghai Dragons

| RD3-score2=2

}}

The June Joust was the second of four midseason tournaments of the season. For the tournament, four heroes were banned from all qualifying and tournament matches: Tracer, Sombra, Reinhardt, and Zenyatta.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Ethan |title=Overwatch League unveils format changes for June Joust |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-unveils-format-changes-for-june-joust |access-date=May 13, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=May 13, 2021}} Qualifiers began on May 21 and concluded on June 5. The regional knockouts began on June 6, and the May Melee tournament between the top two teams from each region began on June 11.

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2021/june-joust-qualifiers The Overwatch League]

| team1 = HZS | name_HZS = Hangzhou Spark | result1 = green1

| team2 = SHD | name_SHD = Shanghai Dragons | result2 = green1

| team3 = SEO | name_SEO = Seoul Dynasty | result3 = green1

| team4 = NYE | name_NYE = New York Excelsior | result4 = green1

| team5 = PHI | name_PHI = Philadelphia Fusion | result5 =

| team6 = CHD | name_CHD = Chengdu Hunters | result6 =

| team7 = GZC | name_GZC = Guangzhou Charge | result7 =

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

| win_HZS = 4 | loss_HZS = 0 | mrw_HZS = 12 | mrl_HZS = 2 | mrt_HZS = 0

| win_SHD = 3 | loss_SHD = 1 | mrw_SHD = 9 | mrl_SHD = 4 | mrt_SHD = 1

| win_SEO = 3 | loss_SEO = 1 | mrw_SEO = 10 | mrl_SEO = 6 | mrt_SEO = 0

| win_NYE = 2 | loss_NYE = 2 | mrw_NYE = 8 | mrl_NYE = 7 | mrt_NYE = 0

| win_PHI = 2 | loss_PHI = 2 | mrw_PHI = 8 | mrl_PHI = 7 | mrt_PHI = 2

| win_CHD = 1 | loss_CHD = 3 | mrw_CHD = 6 | mrl_CHD = 10 | mrt_CHD = 1

| win_GZC = 1 | loss_GZC = 3 | mrw_GZC = 4 | mrl_GZC = 10 | mrt_GZC = 1

| win_VAL = 0 | loss_VAL = 4 | mrw_VAL = 1 | mrl_VAL = 12 | mrt_VAL = 1

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

|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 regional knockouts

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2021/june-joust-qualifiers The Overwatch League]

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

| team2 = SFS | name_SFS = San Francisco Shock | result2 = green1

| team3 = ATL | name_ATL = Atlanta Reign | result3 = green1

| team4 = HOU | name_HOU = Houston Outlaws | result4 = green1

| team5 = DAL | name_DAL = Dallas Fuel | result5 = green1

| team6 = BOS | name_BOS = Boston Uprising | result6 = green1

| team7 = PAR | name_PAR = Paris Eternal | result7 =

| team8 = WAS | name_WAS = Washington Justice | result8 =

| team9 = FLA | name_FLA = Florida Mayhem | result9 =

| team10 = TOR | name_TOR = Toronto Defiant | result10 =

| team11 = LDN | name_LDN = London Spitfire | result11 =

| team12 = VAN | name_VAN = Vancouver Titans | result12 =

| win_GLA = 4 | loss_GLA = 0 | mrw_GLA = 12 | mrl_GLA = 3 | mrt_GLA = 0

| win_SFS = 4 | loss_SFS = 0 | mrw_SFS = 12 | mrl_SFS = 4 | mrt_SFS = 1

| win_ATL = 3 | loss_ATL = 1 | mrw_ATL = 10 | mrl_ATL = 4 | mrt_ATL = 0

| win_HOU = 3 | loss_HOU = 1 | mrw_HOU = 10 | mrl_HOU = 5 | mrt_HOU = 0

| win_DAL = 3 | loss_DAL = 1 | mrw_DAL = 10 | mrl_DAL = 5 | mrt_DAL = 1

| win_BOS = 2 | loss_BOS = 2 | mrw_BOS = 9 | mrl_BOS = 6 | mrt_BOS = 0

| win_PAR = 2 | loss_PAR = 2 | mrw_PAR = 8 | mrl_PAR = 8 | mrt_PAR = 2

| win_WAS = 1 | loss_WAS = 3 | mrw_WAS = 5 | mrl_WAS = 9 | mrt_WAS = 2

| win_FLA = 1 | loss_FLA = 3 | mrw_FLA = 6 | mrl_FLA = 10 | mrt_FLA = 0

| win_TOR = 1 | loss_TOR = 3 | mrw_TOR = 5 | mrl_TOR = 10 | mrt_TOR = 0

| win_LDN = 0 | loss_LDN = 4 | mrw_LDN = 1 | mrl_LDN = 12 | mrt_LDN = 0

| win_VAN = 0 | loss_VAN = 4 | mrw_VAN = 0 | mrl_VAN = 12 | mrt_VAN = 0

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

|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 regional knockouts

|col_blue1=blue1 |text_blue1=

|col_yellow1=yellow1 |text_yellow1=

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{4TeamBracket-info|maxround=1

| RD1-seed1 =1

| RD1-team1 =Hangzhou Spark

| RD1-score1 =1

| RD1-seed2 =4

| RD1-team2 =New York Excelsior

| RD1-score2 =3

| RD1-seed3 =2

| RD1-team3 =Shanghai Dragons

| RD1-score3 =3

| RD1-seed4 =3

| RD1-team4 =Seoul Dynasty

| RD1-score4 =0

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{6TeamBracket-info|maxround=2

| RD1=Semifinals |RD2=Finals

| RD1-seed1=4

| RD1-team1=Houston Outlaws

| RD1-score1=0

| RD1-seed2=5

| RD1-team2=Dallas Fuel

| RD1-score2=3

| RD1-seed3=3

| RD1-team3=Atlanta Reign

| RD1-score3=3

| RD1-seed4=6

| RD1-team4=Boston Uprising

| RD1-score4=0

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Los Angeles Gladiators

| RD2-score1=1

| RD2-seed2=5

| RD2-team2=Dallas Fuel

| RD2-score2=3

| RD2-seed3=2

| RD2-team3=San Francisco Shock

| RD2-score3=0

| RD2-seed4=3

| RD2-team4=Atlanta Reign

| RD2-score4=3

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{4Team2ElimBracketExceptFinal

| RD2=Upper finals

| RD3=Finals

| RD1b=Lower round 1

| RD2b=Lower finals

| RD1-seed1=W1

| RD1-team1=Atlanta Reign

| RD1-score1=3

| RD1-seed2=E2

| RD1-team2=New York Excelsior

| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=E1

| RD1-team3=Shanghai Dragons

| RD1-score3=0

| RD1-seed4=W2

| RD1-team4=Dallas Fuel

| RD1-score4=3

| RD2-seed1=W1

| RD2-team1=Atlanta Reign

| RD2-score1=1

| RD2-seed2=W2

| RD2-team2=Dallas Fuel

| RD2-score2=3

| RD1-seed5=E2

| RD1-team5=New York Excelsior

| RD1-score5=0

| RD1-seed6=E1

| RD1-team6=Shanghai Dragons

| RD1-score6=3

| RD2-seed3=W1

| RD2-team3=Atlanta Reign

| RD2-score3=0

| RD2-seed4=E1

| RD2-team4=Shanghai Dragons

| RD2-score4=3

| RD3-seed1=W2

| RD3-team1=Dallas Fuel

| RD3-score1=3

| RD3-seed2=E1

| RD3-team2=Shanghai Dragons

| RD3-score2=4

}}

The Summer Showdown was the third of four midseason tournaments of the season. Qualifiers began on June 25 and concluded on July 10. The regional knockouts began on July 11, and the tournament began on July 16.

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2021/summer-showdown-qualifiers The Overwatch League]

| team1 = SHD | name_SHD = Shanghai Dragons | result1 = green1

| team2 = CHD | name_CHD = Chengdu Hunters | result2 = green1

| team3 = SEO | name_SEO = Seoul Dynasty | result3 = green1

| team4 = NYE | name_NYE = New York Excelsior | result4 = green1

| team5 = HZS | name_HZS = Hangzhou Spark | result5 =

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

| team7 = GZC | name_GZC = Guangzhou Charge | result7 =

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

| win_SHD = 4 | loss_SHD = 0 | mrw_SHD = 12 | mrl_SHD = 1 | mrt_SHD = 0

| win_CHD = 3 | loss_CHD = 1 | mrw_CHD = 10 | mrl_CHD = 5 | mrt_CHD = 0

| win_SEO = 3 | loss_SEO = 1 | mrw_SEO = 9 | mrl_SEO = 6 | mrt_SEO = 0

| win_NYE = 2 | loss_NYE = 2 | mrw_NYE = 10 | mrl_NYE = 7 | mrt_NYE = 0

| win_HZS = 2 | loss_HZS = 2 | mrw_HZS = 7 | mrl_HZS = 8 | mrt_HZS = 0

| win_PHI = 1 | loss_PHI = 3 | mrw_PHI = 6 | mrl_PHI = 9 | mrt_PHI = 1

| win_GZC = 1 | loss_GZC = 3 | mrw_GZC = 5 | mrl_GZC = 11 | mrt_GZC = 1

| win_VAL = 0 | loss_VAL = 4 | mrw_VAL = 0 | mrl_VAL = 12 | mrt_VAL = 0

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

|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 regional knockouts

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2021/summer-showdown-qualifiers The Overwatch League]

| team1 = DAL | name_DAL = Dallas Fuel | result1 = green1

| team2 = ATL | name_ATL = Atlanta Reign | result2 = green1

| team3 = BOS | name_BOS = Boston Uprising | result3 = green1

| team4 = WAS | name_WAS = Washington Justice | result4 = green1

| team5 = PAR | name_PAR = Paris Eternal | result5 = green1

| team6 = GLA | name_GLA = Los Angeles Gladiators | result6 = green1

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

| team8 = HOU | name_HOU = Houston Outlaws | result8 =

| team9 = TOR | name_TOR = Toronto Defiant | result9 =

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

| team11 = LDN | name_LDN = London Spitfire | result11 =

| team12 = VAN | name_VAN = Vancouver Titans | result12 =

| win_DAL = 4 | loss_DAL = 0 | mrw_DAL = 12 | mrl_DAL = 5 | mrt_DAL = 1

| win_ATL = 3 | loss_ATL = 1 | mrw_ATL = 11 | mrl_ATL = 3 | mrt_ATL = 0

| win_BOS = 3 | loss_BOS = 1 | mrw_BOS = 9 | mrl_BOS = 4 | mrt_BOS = 1

| win_WAS = 3 | loss_WAS = 1 | mrw_WAS = 9 | mrl_WAS = 5 | mrt_WAS = 0

| win_PAR = 3 | loss_PAR = 1 | mrw_PAR = 10 | mrl_PAR = 6 | mrt_PAR = 0

| win_GLA = 2 | loss_GLA = 2 | mrw_GLA = 10 | mrl_GLA = 8 | mrt_GLA = 0

| win_SFS = 2 | loss_SFS = 2 | mrw_SFS = 9 | mrl_SFS = 9 | mrt_SFS = 0

| win_HOU = 2 | loss_HOU = 2 | mrw_HOU = 6 | mrl_HOU = 7 | mrt_HOU = 1

| win_TOR = 2 | loss_TOR = 2 | mrw_TOR = 7 | mrl_TOR = 8 | mrt_TOR = 0

| win_FLA = 0 | loss_FLA = 4 | mrw_FLA = 4 | mrl_FLA = 12 | mrt_FLA = 1

| win_LDN = 0 | loss_LDN = 4 | mrw_LDN = 3 | mrl_LDN = 12 | mrt_LDN = 0

| win_VAN = 0 | loss_VAN = 4 | mrw_VAN = 1 | mrl_VAN = 12 | mrt_VAN = 0

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

|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 regional knockouts

|col_blue1=blue1 |text_blue1=

|col_yellow1=yellow1 |text_yellow1=

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{4TeamBracket-info|maxround=1

| RD1-seed1 =1

| RD1-team1 =Shanghai Dragons

| RD1-score1 =3

| RD1-seed2 =4

| RD1-team2 =New York Excelsior

| RD1-score2 =0

| RD1-seed3 =2

| RD1-team3 =Chengdu Hunters

| RD1-score3 =3

| RD1-seed4 =3

| RD1-team4 =Seoul Dynasty

| RD1-score4 =2

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{6TeamBracket-info|maxround=2

| RD1=Semifinals |RD2=Finals

| RD1-seed1=4

| RD1-team1=Washington Justice

| RD1-score1=3

| RD1-seed2=5

| RD1-team2=Paris Eternal

| RD1-score2=2

| RD1-seed3=3

| RD1-team3=Boston Uprising

| RD1-score3=0

| RD1-seed4=6

| RD1-team4=Los Angeles Gladiators

| RD1-score4=3

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Dallas Fuel

| RD2-score1=3

| RD2-seed2=4

| RD2-team2=Washington Justice

| RD2-score2=2

| RD2-seed3=2

| RD2-team3=Atlanta Reign

| RD2-score3=3

| RD2-seed4=6

| RD2-team4=Los Angeles Gladiators

| RD2-score4=2

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{4Team2ElimBracketExceptFinal

| RD2=Upper finals

| RD3=Finals

| RD1b=Lower round 1

| RD2b=Lower finals

| RD1-seed1=W1

| RD1-team1=Dallas Fuel

| RD1-score1=1

| RD1-seed2=E2

| RD1-team2=Chengdu Hunters

| RD1-score2=3

| RD1-seed3=E1

| RD1-team3=Shanghai Dragons

| RD1-score3=3

| RD1-seed4=W2

| RD1-team4=Atlanta Reign

| RD1-score4=0

| RD2-seed1=E2

| RD2-team1=Chengdu Hunters

| RD2-score1=2

| RD2-seed2=E1

| RD2-team2=Shanghai Dragons

| RD2-score2=3

| RD1-seed5=W1

| RD1-team5=Dallas Fuel

| RD1-score5=3

| RD1-seed6=W2

| RD1-team6=Atlanta Reign

| RD1-score6=2

| RD2-seed3=E2

| RD2-team3=Chengdu Hunters

| RD2-score3=3

| RD2-seed4=W1

| RD2-team4=Dallas Fuel

| RD2-score4=0

| RD3-seed1=E1

| RD3-team1=Shanghai Dragons

| RD3-score1=4

| RD3-seed2=E2

| RD3-team2=Chengdu Hunters

| RD3-score2=1

}}

The Countdown Cup was the last of four midseason tournaments of the season. For the tournament, four heroes were banned from all qualifying and tournament matches: Echo, Ashe, Sigma, and Lúcio.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Overwatch League Countdown Cup Hero Pools revealed |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-countdown-cup-hero-pools-revealed |access-date=July 22, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=July 21, 2021}} Qualifiers began on July 30 and concluded on August 14. The regional knockouts take place on August 15, and the tournament began on August 19.

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2021/countdown-cup-qualifiers The Overwatch League]

| team1 = CHD | name_CHD = Chengdu Hunters | result1 = green1

| team2 = PHI | name_PHI = Philadelphia Fusion | result2 = green1

| team3 = SEO | name_SEO = Seoul Dynasty | result3 = green1

| team4 = NYE | name_NYE = New York Excelsior | result4 = green1

| team5 = GZC | name_GZC = Guangzhou Charge | result5 =

| team6 = SHD | name_SHD = Shanghai Dragons | result6 =

| team7 = HZS | name_HZS = Hangzhou Spark | result7 =

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

| win_CHD = 4 | loss_CHD = 0 | mrw_CHD = 12 | mrl_CHD = 3 | mrt_CHD = 1

| win_PHI = 3 | loss_PHI = 1 | mrw_PHI = 11 | mrl_PHI = 5 | mrt_PHI = 0

| win_SEO = 3 | loss_SEO = 1 | mrw_SEO = 11 | mrl_SEO = 7 | mrt_SEO = 0

| win_NYE = 2 | loss_NYE = 2 | mrw_NYE = 8 | mrl_NYE = 8 | mrt_NYE = 0

| win_GZC = 2 | loss_GZC = 2 | mrw_GZC = 8 | mrl_GZC = 8 | mrt_GZC = 1

| win_SHD = 2 | loss_SHD = 2 | mrw_SHD = 8 | mrl_SHD = 9 | mrt_SHD = 0

| win_HZS = 0 | loss_HZS = 4 | mrw_HZS = 6 | mrl_HZS = 12 | mrt_HZS = 0

| win_VAL = 0 | loss_VAL = 4 | mrw_VAL = 0 | mrl_VAL = 12 | mrt_VAL = 0

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

|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 regional knockouts

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Custom|default_style=WLbasic|hide_played=no|update=complete|source=[https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/standings/2021/countdown-cup-qualifiers The Overwatch League]

| team1 = ATL | name_ATL = Atlanta Reign | result1 = green1

| team2 = GLA | name_GLA = Los Angeles Gladiators | result2 = green1

| team3 = SFS | name_SFS = San Francisco Shock | result3 = green1

| team4 = TOR | name_TOR = Toronto Defiant | result4 = green1

| team5 = PAR | name_PAR = Paris Eternal | result5 = green1

| team6 = DAL | name_DAL = Dallas Fuel | result6 = green1

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

| team8 = FLA | name_FLA = Florida Mayhem | result8 =

| team9 = VAN | name_VAN = Vancouver Titans | result9 =

| team10 = BOS | name_BOS = Boston Uprising | result10 =

| team11 = LDN | name_LDN = London Spitfire | result11 =

| team12 = WAS | name_WAS = Washington Justice | result12 =

| win_ATL = 4 | loss_ATL = 0 | mrw_ATL = 12 | mrl_ATL = 5 | mrt_ATL = 0

| win_GLA = 3 | loss_GLA = 1 | mrw_GLA = 11 | mrl_GLA = 4 | mrt_GLA = 0

| win_SFS = 3 | loss_SFS = 1 | mrw_SFS = 11 | mrl_SFS = 5 | mrt_SFS = 0

| win_TOR = 3 | loss_TOR = 1 | mrw_TOR = 10 | mrl_TOR = 6 | mrt_TOR = 0

| win_PAR = 2 | loss_PAR = 2 | mrw_PAR = 9 | mrl_PAR = 8 | mrt_PAR = 0

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

| win_HOU = 2 | loss_HOU = 2 | mrw_HOU = 6 | mrl_HOU = 7 | mrt_HOU = 1

| win_FLA = 1 | loss_FLA = 3 | mrw_FLA = 7 | mrl_FLA = 10 | mrt_FLA = 1

| win_VAN = 1 | loss_VAN = 3 | mrw_VAN = 5 | mrl_VAN = 9 | mrt_VAN = 0

| win_BOS = 1 | loss_BOS = 3 | mrw_BOS = 5 | mrl_BOS = 10 | mrt_BOS = 0

| win_LDN = 1 | loss_LDN = 3 | mrw_LDN = 5 | mrl_LDN = 11 | mrt_LDN = 1

| win_WAS = 1 | loss_WAS = 3 | mrw_WAS = 3 | mrl_WAS = 9 | mrt_WAS = 0

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

|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 regional knockouts

|col_blue1=blue1 |text_blue1=

|col_yellow1=yellow1 |text_yellow1=

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{4TeamBracket-info|maxround=1

| RD1-seed1 =1

| RD1-team1 =Chengdu Hunters

| RD1-score1 =3

| RD1-seed2 =4

| RD1-team2 =New York Excelsior

| RD1-score2 =1

| RD1-seed3 =2

| RD1-team3 =Philadelphia Fusion

| RD1-score3 =1

| RD1-seed4 =3

| RD1-team4 =Seoul Dynasty

| RD1-score4 =3

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{6TeamBracket-info|maxround=2

| RD1=Semifinals |RD2=Finals

| RD1-seed1=4

| RD1-team1=Toronto Defiant

| RD1-score1=3

| RD1-seed2=5

| RD1-team2=Paris Eternal

| RD1-score2=2

| RD1-seed3=3

| RD1-team3=San Francisco Shock

| RD1-score3=3

| RD1-seed4=6

| RD1-team4=Dallas Fuel

| RD1-score4=0

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Atlanta Reign

| RD2-score1=3

| RD2-seed2=4

| RD2-team2=Toronto Defiant

| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=2

| RD2-team3=Los Angeles Gladiators

| RD2-score3=3

| RD2-seed4=3

| RD2-team4=San Francisco Shock

| RD2-score4=2

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{4Team2ElimBracketExceptFinal

| team-width=150

| RD2=Upper finals

| RD3=Finals

| RD1b=Lower round 1

| RD2b=Lower finals

| RD1-seed1=W1

| RD1-team1=Atlanta Reign

| RD1-score1=3

| RD1-seed2=E2

| RD1-team2=Seoul Dynasty

| RD1-score2=1

| RD1-seed3=E1

| RD1-team3=Chengdu Hunters

| RD1-score3=2

| RD1-seed4=W2

| RD1-team4=Los Angeles Gladiators

| RD1-score4=3

| RD2-seed1=W1

| RD2-team1=Atlanta Reign

| RD2-score1=0

| RD2-seed2=W2

| RD2-team2=Los Angeles Gladiators

| RD2-score2=3

| RD1-seed5=E1

| RD1-team5=Chengdu Hunters

| RD1-score5=3

| RD1-seed6=E2

| RD1-team6=Seoul Dynasty

| RD1-score6=0

| RD2-seed3=W1

| RD2-team3=Atlanta Reign

| RD2-score3=0

| RD2-seed4=E1

| RD2-team4=Chengdu Hunters

| RD2-score4=3

| RD3-seed1=W2

| RD3-team1=Los Angeles Gladiators

| RD3-score1=4

| RD3-seed2=E1

| RD3-team2=Chengdu Hunters

| RD3-score2=3

}}

The play-in tournaments were two regional single-elimination tournaments that took place September 4–5 and advanced two Western teams and one Eastern team to the season playoffs. In the Western region, seeds four through nine, based on regular season standings, advanced to the Western play-in tournament. The first round was contested by seeds six through nine, with the sixth seed selecting either the eighth or ninth seed as their opponent. The winners of the first round advanced to the finals, with the fourth seed choosing their opponent from the winners of the first round. In the Eastern region, seeds three through five, based on regular season standings, advanced to the Eastern play-in tournament. The fourth and fifth seed competed in the first round, and the winner of the first round faced the third seed in the final. In both regions, the winner of the finals advanced to the season playoffs.

{{Columns-start}}

;East region

{{3TeamBracket-info

| RD1=Semifinals
September 5

| RD2=Finals
September 5

| RD1-seed1=4

| RD1-team1=Philadelphia Fusion

| RD1-score1=3

| RD1-seed2=5

| RD1-team2=Hangzhou Spark

| RD1-score2=1

| RD2-seed1=3

| RD2-team1=Seoul Dynasty

| RD2-score1=1

| RD2-seed2=4

| RD2-team2=Philadelphia Fusion

| RD2-score2=3

}}

{{Column}}

;West region

{{6TeamBracket-info|maxround=2

| RD1-RD2-path=0

| RD1=Semifinals
September 4

| RD2=Finals
September 5

| RD1-seed1=6

| RD1-team1=Washington Justice

| RD1-score1=3

| RD1-seed2=8

| RD1-team2=Paris Eternal

| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=7

| RD1-team3=Toronto Defiant

| RD1-score3=3

| RD1-seed4=9

| RD1-team4=Boston Uprising

| RD1-score4=0

| RD2-seed1=4

| RD2-team1={{nowrap|San Francisco Shock}}

| RD2-score1=3

| RD2-seed2=7

| RD2-team2=Toronto Defiant

| RD2-score2=0

| RD2-seed3=5

| RD2-team3=Houston Outlaws

| RD2-score3=2

| RD2-seed4=6

| RD2-team4=Washington Justice

| RD2-score4=3

}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{main|2021 Overwatch League playoffs}}

The playoffs were a double-elimination tournament contested by eight teams – five from the West region and three from the East region. All matches in season playoffs, aside from the final match, took place from September 21 to 24. The final two teams remaining in the tournament advanced to the Grand Finals, which took place on September 25. Playoff matches, aside from the Grand Finals, were planned to take place live at Esports Stadium Arlington in Arlington, Texas, while the Grand Finals was planned to take place at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California;{{cite news |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=Overwatch League is bringing back live events in September |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/au/overwatch-league-is-bringing-back-live-events-in-september/ |access-date=July 20, 2021 |work=PC Gamer |date=July 20, 2021}} however, the OWL announced on August 25, 2021, that all playoff matches, including the Grand Finals, would not be played in a live format due to increasing risks of COVID-19 and the Delta variant.{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Sean |title=Overwatch League playoffs no longer in North Texas, moving back to online |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-fuel/2021/08/25/overwatch-league-playoffs-no-longer-in-north-texas-moving-back-to-online/ |access-date=August 25, 2021 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=August 25, 2021}} Instead, the West region playoff teams travelled to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, while the East region teams played in their home country, to minimize latency between competing teams.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Overwatch League cancels live postseason events due to COVID-19 delta variant concerns |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-cancels-live-postseason-events-due-to-covid-19-delta-variant-concerns |access-date=August 25, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=August 25, 2021}}

{{transcluded section|2021 Overwatch League playoffs}}

{{trim|{{#section-h:2021 Overwatch League playoffs|Bracket}}}}

On April 12, 2021, while streaming on Twitch, Seoul Dynasty player Park "Saebyeolbe" Jong-ryeol commented about frustration trying to appeal to a Chinese audience while streaming on the Chinese streaming platform DouYu. In an English translation, Park said during his Twitch stream, "I can't say Taiwan and [Hong Kong]. At all. They (China) don't recognize them as countries. I got into so much trouble for saying their names. Make it make sense. What are you talking about, 'One China?' So I objected to that and all the managers said, 'If you want to earn Chinese money, you have to become a Chinese dog.' So that's what I'm doing right now. I can even say, 'Thanks for subscribing' in Chinese. Aren't I good at Chinese?"{{cite news |last1=Parrish |first1=Ash |title=Chinese Overwatch Teams Threaten Boycott Of Korean Player For Statements On Taiwan And Hong Kong |url=https://kotaku.com/chinese-overwatch-teams-threaten-boycott-of-korean-play-1846828529 |access-date=August 19, 2021 |work=Kotaku |date=May 5, 2021}}

Two days after the comments, Park apologized via a handwritten note on Instagram. Nearly three weeks after the apology, the four Chinese teams of the Overwatch League — the Shanghai Dragons, Chengdu Hunters, Hangzhou Spark, and Guangzhou Charge — announced that they would not participate in any Overwatch League event in which Park was present. On May 6, 2021, the Overwatch League issued a statement announcing that the Chinese teams would no longer be boycotting Park nor the Seoul Dynasty.{{cite news |last1=Amenabar |first1=Teddy |last2=Liao |first2=Shannon |title=China's Overwatch League teams end boycott of South Korean player who criticized 'One China' policy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/05/06/overwatch-league-china-boycott-saebyeolbe/ |access-date=August 19, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 6, 2021}} As of August 18, 2021, Park has not appeared in a match since the incident.{{cite news |last1=Parrish |first1=Ash |title=The Overwatch League's 2021 regular season was full of drama amid an uncertain future |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/18/22631026/overwatch-league-fourth-season-overview-blizzard |access-date=August 19, 2021 |work=The Verge |date=August 18, 2021}}

In July 2021, Dot Esports reported that the Civil Conduct Task Force of the United States Department of Justice antitrust division was investigating whether or not the league's soft salary cap policy violated the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, as the player's are not unionized. The league's soft salary cap per team in 2020 was {{USD|1.6 million}}, and if a team went over that amount, they would have to pay additional money to the league, which would be distributed to other teams.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |last2=Wolf |first2=Jacob |title=U.S. Department of Justice opens antitrust inquiry into Overwatch League's soft salary cap, 'competitive balance tax' |url=https://dotesports.com/news/u-s-department-of-justice-opens-antitrust-inquiry-into-overwatch-leagues-soft-salary-cap-competitive-balance-tax |access-date=March 10, 2022 |work=Dot Esports |date=July 2, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Gach |first1=Ethan |title=Report: Justice Department Investigating Overwatch League |url=https://kotaku.com/justice-department-investigating-overwatch-league-1847224131 |access-date=March 10, 2022 |work=Kotaku |date=July 2, 2021}} In October 2021, Sports Business Journal reported that the OWL would be eliminating their competitive balance tax and maximum salary caps.{{cite news |last1=Hitt |first1=Kevin |title=Sources: Overwatch, Call of Duty League dump competitive balance tax and maximum player salary cap |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Esports/Sections/Leagues/2021/10/OWL-CDL-cap |access-date=March 9, 2022 |work=Sports Business Journal |date=October 14, 2021}}

{{further|California Department of Fair Employment and Housing v. Activision Blizzard}}

In July 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard for sexual harassment and discrimination taking place within the Blizzard workplace. Two weeks after the filing, Overwatch League partners Coca-Cola, Kellogg's, State Farm, and T-Mobile announced that they would be reassessing their partnership with the league, and all branding of the aforementioned companies were removed from the league's website.{{cite news |last1=Amenabar |first1=Teddy |title=Amid harassment lawsuit, advertisers pull back from Blizzard's Overwatch League |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/08/05/activision-blizzard-sponsors-overwatch/ |access-date=August 19, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 6, 2021}} Later, Kellogg's stated they "will not be moving forward" with their sponsorship of the Overwatch League.{{cite news |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |title=Kellogg's pulls Overwatch sponsorship over 'troubling' Blizzard allegations |url=https://www.polygon.com/22613315/overwatch-league-sponsor-kelloggs-pulls-ads-activision-blizzard-lawsuit |access-date=August 19, 2021 |work=Polygon |date=August 6, 2021}} Additionally, Sports Business Journal observed that IBM{{'s}} branding was removed from all Overwatch League media, including the league's official partners' page and power rankings.{{cite news |last1=Fudge |first1=James |title=IBM disappears from the list of Overwatch League partners |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Esports/Sections/Leagues/2021/08/IBM-OWL.aspx |access-date=August 19, 2021 |work=Sports Business Journal |date=August 8, 2021}} In mid-August 2021, the only sponsor present during Overwatch League broadcasts was voice-over-Internet Protocol software company TeamSpeak.

Source:{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Overwatch League reveals 2021 Role Stars |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-reveals-2021-role-stars |access-date=September 24, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=September 24, 2021}}

The season marked the second year of the Overwatch League's the three-year broadcast contract with YouTube, which did not include broadcast rights for China.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Noah |title=YouTube is the exclusive streaming home for the Call of Duty and Overwatch Leagues |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2020/01/24/activision-blizzard-announces-youtube-exclusive-streaming-home-call-duty-overwatch-leagues/ |access-date=April 20, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 24, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Stern |first1=Adam |title=Sources: YouTube's Deal With Activision Blizzard Valued At $160M |url=https://archive.esportsobserver.com/sources-youtube-actiblizzard-160m/ |access-date=July 8, 2022 |work=The Esports Observer |date=February 13, 2020}} For the 2021 season, YouTube introduced clipping functionality for their videos and allowed OWL games to be rendered in 4K resolution.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Overwatch League adds YouTube viewership rewards, clip functionality for 2021 season |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-adds-youtube-viewership-rewards-clip-functionality-for-2021-season |access-date=April 20, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=March 25, 2021}}

Under a new, multi-year contract, Bilibili obtained production and broadcast rights in China. Bilibili has a similar deal with Riot Games' League of Legends international competitions and, prior to the deal with the Overwatch League, secured hosting rights for Overwatch Contenders and Overwatch Open Division in China.{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Hongyu |title=Bilibili Signs Multi-Year Deal With Activision Blizzard, Secures Exclusive Broadcasting Rights to Overwatch League |url=https://esportsobserver.com/bilibili-broadcasting-rights-owl/ |access-date=April 20, 2021 |work=The Esports Observer |date=April 15, 2021}} Activision Blizzard renewed a deal for TV-exclusive rights to the Overwatch League in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with Sport1; the multi-year contract was signed after their two-year deal with Sport1 concluded.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=George |title=Expansion of broadcast rights with Activision Blizzard: SPORT1 acquires extensive rights to leading esports titles for the German-speaking and pan-European regions |url=https://europeangaming.eu/portal/latest-news/2021/04/28/91378/expansion-of-broadcast-rights-with-activision-blizzard-sport1-acquires-extensive-rights-to-leading-esports-titles-for-the-german-speaking-and-pan-european-regions/ |access-date=April 28, 2021 |work=European Gaming |date=April 28, 2021}}

Teams in the 2021 season competed for a total prize pool of {{USD|4,250,000}} across midseason tournaments and playoffs,{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Trent |title=Overwatch League Announces 2021 Schedule, $4.25M Prize Pool |url=https://esportsobserver.com/overwatch-league-2021-season/ |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=The Esports Observer |date=February 22, 2021}} with the payout division detailed below.{{cite web |title=What is the Overwatch League |url=https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/about |website=The Overwatch League |access-date=September 23, 2021}}

{{Columns-start|num=4}}

;May Melee

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;June Joust

{{Column}}

;Summer Showdown

{{Column}}

;Countdown Cup

{{Columns-end}}

;Season playoffs

{{reflist}}

• {{official|https://overwatchleague.com/en-us}}
• {{official|https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/fv/FVMC9PNW9Y0P1582941257419.pdf|2020 Overwatch League rules}}

{{Overwatch League}}

{{2021 OWL season by team}}

Overwatch

Overwatch League season 2021