5 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Esports

Once a niche subculture, esports and competitive gaming have now become a mainstream phenomenon. The Overwatch League and Call of Duty League feature wealthy owners from the NFL, League of Legends and Dota 2 regularly sell out stadiums, and Fortnite has its own World Cup. The next big sport could be a video game.

How Valorant is luring top esports talent despite being months from releaseHow Valorant is luring top esports talent despite being months from release
The Overwatch League’s troubles continue as top team drops entire rosterThe Overwatch League’s troubles continue as top team drops entire roster
ESPN to air live NBA 2K League gamesESPN to air live NBA 2K League games
EVO 2020 will be an online-only event due to the pandemicEVO 2020 will be an online-only event due to the pandemic
Valve indefinitely delays Dota 2’s The International 2020Valve indefinitely delays Dota 2’s The International 2020
Andrew Webster and Nick Statt
Fortnite esports: the World Cup and beyondFortnite esports: the World Cup and beyond
There won’t be a Fortnite World Cup in 2020There won’t be a Fortnite World Cup in 2020
Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka will play in a celebrity Mario Tennis tournament on FacebookSerena Williams, Naomi Osaka will play in a celebrity Mario Tennis tournament on Facebook
Twitch gets an esports directoryTwitch gets an esports directory
Bijan Stephen
Overwatch’s biggest star is moving to ValorantOverwatch’s biggest star is moving to Valorant
Faze Clan launches new studio for original film and TV projectsFaze Clan launches new studio for original film and TV projects
Pro gaming leagues are seeing a huge spike in viewershipPro gaming leagues are seeing a huge spike in viewership
Call of Duty: Mobile is getting an esports tournament with $1 million in prizesCall of Duty: Mobile is getting an esports tournament with $1 million in prizes
Inside the Overwatch League’s remote production studioInside the Overwatch League’s remote production studio
The Premier League will return as a FIFA tournament on NBCThe Premier League will return as a FIFA tournament on NBC
MLS will host a virtual tournament using FIFA 20, continuing industry-wide trendMLS will host a virtual tournament using FIFA 20, continuing industry-wide trend
Blizzard is making changes to Overwatch’s hero poolsBlizzard is making changes to Overwatch’s hero pools
Riot’s Valorant isn’t even out yet, but it’s already looking like an esports sensationRiot’s Valorant isn’t even out yet, but it’s already looking like an esports sensation
ESPN becomes the official broadcast home for League of Legends’ Spring Split PlayoffsESPN becomes the official broadcast home for League of Legends’ Spring Split Playoffs
100 Thieves makes its entire apparel line available in Animal Crossing100 Thieves makes its entire apparel line available in Animal Crossing
The Call of Duty League comes back on April 10thThe Call of Duty League comes back on April 10th
ESPN will air 12 hours of esports including Rocket League, NBA 2K, and MaddenESPN will air 12 hours of esports including Rocket League, NBA 2K, and Madden
How the biggest gaming leagues are adapting to an online-only worldHow the biggest gaming leagues are adapting to an online-only world
Pro drivers are competing with gamers after F1 and NASCAR canceled races

Virtual replacement races are drawing stars — and tons of eyeballs

Sean O'Kane
Esports are back: how to watch the top League of Legends and CS:GO competitionsEsports are back: how to watch the top League of Legends and CS:GO competitions
Call of Duty League and Overwatch League are shifting to online-only gamesCall of Duty League and Overwatch League are shifting to online-only games
Blizzard cancels all Overwatch League events in March and AprilBlizzard cancels all Overwatch League events in March and April
Riot is trying to make Monday Night Football work for League of LegendsRiot is trying to make Monday Night Football work for League of Legends
The coronavirus’ human impact on esports

Fans, players, and broadcasters are all dealing with the fallout

Aron Garst
Overwatch’s first banned heroes are Orisa, Hanzo, Mei, and BaptisteOverwatch’s first banned heroes are Orisa, Hanzo, Mei, and Baptiste
Epic delays Fortnite tournaments until it fixes performance issuesEpic delays Fortnite tournaments until it fixes performance issues
Chinese League of Legends league will play games online due to coronavirus concernsChinese League of Legends league will play games online due to coronavirus concerns
Overwatch League games in South Korea canceled amid coronavirus concernsOverwatch League games in South Korea canceled amid coronavirus concerns
Blizzard moves previously canceled Overwatch League games from China to KoreaBlizzard moves previously canceled Overwatch League games from China to Korea
This League of Legends team is inspiring others to do goodThis League of Legends team is inspiring others to do good
The Overwatch League’s new season means travel, YouTube, and a constantly changing game

Some big shifts are in store for season 3

Andrew Webster
CS:GO’s new team-owned league points to a different future for esportsCS:GO’s new team-owned league points to a different future for esports
Faze Clan is launching a Quibi reality show to sign its next gaming starFaze Clan is launching a Quibi reality show to sign its next gaming star
Overwatch League cancels February and March games in China following coronavirus outbreakOverwatch League cancels February and March games in China following coronavirus outbreak
YouTube is using massive e-sports leagues to take on Twitch in big live-streaming betYouTube is using massive e-sports leagues to take on Twitch in big live-streaming bet

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