In an official statement, Blizzard revealed the ins and outs of the first Esport season of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. This article focuses exclusively on the Arena World Championship (AWC) 2021.
Blizzard official press release
We are planning some fantastic changes to the Arena World Championship and Mythic Dungeon International in 2021 to take full advantage of all that Shadowlands has to offer.
Despite a turbulent 2020, the World of Warcraft esports team is thrilled with the community’s response to the changes made to both Arena World Championship and Mythic Dungeon International programs. While players explore the realms of the Shadowlands, we will be expanding on what worked in 2020 and offering some fun changes to make 2021 another epic year for World of Warcraft Esports!
WORLD ARENA CHAMPIONSHIP
With the launch of the fourteenth year of the Arena World Championship (AWC), we are expanding to two seasons of epic PvP competition. In 2021, the AWC will consist of two seasons culminating in the AWC: Shadowlands 2021 Grand Finals next Fall, with a $900,000 (USD) total prize pool up for grabs for the year!
SEASON 1
Beginning today, teams in North America and Europe can sign up on GameBattles for the Season 1 open Cups. In addition to a $10,000 (USD) prize pool per cup, teams will be competing for points. The top eight point-earning teams from both North America and Europe will advance to the Circuit following the conclusion of all four cups. The Circuit will consist of a four-week round robin and total prize pool of $160,000 (USD). Following the Circuit, the top four teams from each region will earn their spots in the Season 1 Finals and a shot at the $200,000 prize pool (USD)!
RELEGATION AND SEASON 2
Once the Season 1 champions have been crowned, it’ll be time to set the stage for Season 2. Instead of another series of open cups, the top six regional teams from the Season 1 Circuit will automatically advance to the Season 2 Circuit, while the remaining spots will be filled through an open Relegation Cup. The Relegation Cup will consist of the bottom two teams from the North American and European Season 1 Circuit, battling against an open field of competitors looking to secure a shot in Season 2. The top two teams from each region at the end of the cup will advance to the Season 2 Circuit.
Like in Season 1, the remaining teams in North America and Europe will be fighting for their share of the $160,000 (USD) total prize pool and one of the four regional slots in the finals. The final teams to advance will not only be fighting for the expanded $300,000 (USD) prize pool, but to cement their names as the AWC: Shadowlands 2021 Grand Finals Champions!
Original content by "Laerezh".
