![Allen Event Center. [Image capture: Google Street View, July 2017. Composite: Christopher Augustine]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Dallas-Fuel-Banner.png)
Dallas’ own professional Overwatch esports team, Dallas Fuel, has been selected to host an upcoming tournament-style competition this spring. During the weekend of April 27-29, 20 esports teams from across the globe will flock to Allen Event Center to compete in the two-day gaming festival.
Dallas’ home team boasts talent from all over the world, with coaches and players representing seven different countries. Because Dallas is only the second city to host regular season matches, the April tournament will be Dallas Fuel’s first home match as a franchise.
“It is an honor to have Dallas selected as the first team to bring Overwatch League matches into a home market,” Dallas Fuel owner Mike Rufail said in a statement. “I know our home crowd will want to be a big part of this experience and fans from all around the world will have a chance to make esports history with us in North Texas.”
The 2019 season kicks off onFebruary 14. Fans who wish to attend the event in person can buy tickets, starting at $35, with both one- and two-day passes available. For fans outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, international streaming options are available.
Though this is only the second year the league has been in commission, Overwatch is one of the world’s most popular video games, with each professional team getting paid over $30 million to compete and salary minimums around $50,000, according to Business Insider.
“We’re thrilled that our first-ever home match is part of a two-day Overwatch League festival that will showcase this region’s passion for esports and make for a unique debut among the storied Dallas sports franchises,” saidGeoff Moore, president of the Dallas Fuel, in a statement.
The upcoming match schedule features four matches per day across the eight teams. Owned by Dallas-based esports organization Envy Gaming, Inc., Dallas Fuel’s 2019 roster is as follows: Dylan Bignet (aKm), Benjamin Chevasson (uNKOE), Hyeon Hwang (EFFECT), Wonsik Jun (Closer), Richard Kanerva (rCk), Timo Kettunen (Taimou), Zachary Lombardo (ZachaREEE), and Pongphop Rattanasangchod (Mickie).
The match schedule
Saturday, April 27
- Paris Eternal vs. London Spitfire
- Hangzhou Spark vs. Chengdu Hunters
- Houston Outlaws vs. Seoul Dynasty
- Los Angeles Valiant vs. Dallas Fuel
Sunday, April 28
- Hangzhou Spark vs. Paris Eternal
- Chengdu Hunters vs. London Spitfire
- Seoul Dynasty vs. Los Angeles Valiant
- Houston Outlaws vs. Dallas Fuel
Get on the list.
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