EPT
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/itsjustatank/thumbs/OWWCLA17/TNK_4915EDIT.png)
Do people show up to watch their
country play Overwatch? Yes they do.
country play Overwatch? Yes they do.
Some questioned whether people would show up to support their region in Overwatch. That's because in recent esports history we've seen a focus on developing leagues and events around teams and players. Regional play has fallen by the wayside with the demise of such events as the World Cyber Games. But the success of the Overwatch World Cup so far indicates that the answer is a resounding yes. People show up to support their teams, their country, and their region.
The turnout at this past weekend's Los Angeles group stage was no different. Barker Hanger at the Santa Monica Airport was jam full of esports fans. All were there to cheer on their region. While most where there to cheer on the United States, fans of the others present were there too.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/itsjustatank/thumbs/OWWCLA17/20170813174642OWWC17LATANK00.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/itsjustatank/thumbs/OWWCLA17/20170813232406OWWC17LATANK00.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/itsjustatank/thumbs/OWWCLA17/20170814001011OWWC17LATANK00.jpg)
There's lots of room for regional competition and rivalry in esports and in Overwatch. This past weekend showed us its potential. It's up to the game and the scene to move it forward. That's why it's also important to keep in mind that to have healthy regional play, we need healthy regions. We need healthy scenes that can support the creation of excellent players who can compete on the world stage. In just about every post-game interview with the press conducted this past weekend, the teams who lost and who came from smaller regions all said that they need more support. That support includes fostering more local tournaments for better competition. It's hard to improve when you're already the best in a region and you cannot find other challengers to compete against easily. Your only development when that is the case is when you get bopped out of a large tournament, and that might only happen a few times a year. Compared to teams who exist in much more vibrant scenes, your development in a lesser scene will always be more than a few steps behind.
At any rate, the reception by the fans indicates the value of having a regional emphasis. We'll see if it works as well or even better when the region becomes cities in the Overwatch League.
Just don't immediately dismiss it.
![[image loading]](https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6252299347_5d50618ba7_z.jpg)
