Ryan Goodrich
While the Coronavirus continues to drive many of us indoors, the esports industry continues to boom. This competitive world continues on its way, though in the form of online competitions. The existence of orgnizations like Overwatch League, League of Legends leagues, Call of Duty League, and so on, only demonstrate how equipped and popular the industry is. But now we can add another league to the mix.
A new esports league announced
Today, publisher Ubisoft announced a new venture into the world of esports with the introduction of a North American Rainbow Six esports league. This organization will feature 28 teams across the United States and Canada. Things kick off officially during late June 2020. Additionally, the league features two regional divisions as well as a “revamped path-to-pro tier designed to foster the best up-and-coming teams in both territories. The US Division will feature eight pro team organizations competing in an offline league based in Las Vegas, Nevada.”
Obviously, this sounds quite similar to Overwatch League’s tiered Path To Pro system. But still, this might actually work rather than leave numerous minor league teams struggling to simply exist while the game developer ignores any pleas for help. This league for Rainbow Six Siege comes at the perfect time, as the game is going through a significant surge of popularity. So Ubisoft is capitalizing on the time to get a new esports league off the ground.
The existing teams
And it looks like they’ve already secured a number of teams. Ubisoft announced the following teams for the 2020 US Division, which includes:
- Spacestation Gaming
- TSM
- DarkZero Esports
- Tempo Storm
- eUnited
- Oxygen Esports
- Disrupt Gaming
- Susquehanna Soniqs
The league also already has a number of sponsors secured. This includes the brands Corsair and Acer Predator, which means esports branded merchandise for the league will be quick to come.
Why now?
You’re likely wondering why Ubisoft would announce an esports league now, especially considering the lockdown everyone is under from the Coronavirus. Well, Ubisoft had this to say in their statement: “Given the current health and safety concerns for our players and employees as well as following guidelines from the state of Nevaa, and given the timeframe for the US Division launch date, competition for Stage 1 of the 2020 Season will take place online. As soon as the situation permits, we will assess any available opportunity to continue our offline Las Vegas program.
It’s great to see yet another league finding its way to the esports industry. Hopefully the league will be able to create a real path for success for those individuals trying to go pro.
Keep an eye out for more news this coming June when Stage 1 begins.
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