New Zealand-based esports tournament organiser and broadcasting media company LetsPlay.Live (LPL) has partnered with Ubisoft to become the exclusive tournament and broadcast partner for Rainbow Six: Siege’s Oceanic Challenger League (OCL) for 2021.
As a result, the OCL will be replacing the LPL Pro Rainbow Six: Siege division.
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Two teams have been invited to compete in the OCL round-robin matches thus far: Exsto Gaming and Rhythm, both of which qualified through the OCN and LPL Pro in 2020. The third and final invite spot will be determined on February 27th.
Duane Mutu, LPL founder and Managing Director, stated: “LPL are always passionate about offering international pathways for esports players in ANZ. We’re excited and honoured to be bringing the OCL to Rainbow Six: Siege players in the region, and to be working with Ubisoft on an inaugural event.”
Rainbow Six: Siege teams based in Australia and New Zealand will compete in a series of qualifiers beginning on March 2nd. The five top-placing teams from qualifiers will then compete in round-robin matches and playoffs in each stage.
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According to a press release, the Oceanic Challenger League will serve as the ‘official pathway’ for ANZ players to enter into the Oceanic Nationals (OCN) 2022.
Eight teams will compete over the course of 2021 in three stages, each with a prize pool of $10,000 AUD (£5,611). Teams with the most points at the end of the final stage will battle it out in the OCL Finals in late November for their spot in OCN.
Esports Insider says: The APAC esports scene is heating up, as evidenced by activity from publishers and broadcast partners. LetsPlay.Live is in a prime position to capitalise on a growing interest in the region, as evidenced by its OCE VALORANT partnership with Riot. Meanwhile, ESL opened a new Sydney broadcasting studio and Riot resurrected its APAC efforts with League of Legends Circuit Oceania (LCO).