What To Watch This Weekend: Looking Ahead To 2018

As with most industries in the United States, esports tend to slow down during the holiday season. That doesn't meant there's nothing going on (a cursory look at the front page of Twitch should always have something for most players to watch), but most major tournaments have wrapped up. But, in case you want to get back into 2018 with a crowded calendar to keep up with, we've compiled some of the most notable esports tournaments that will be going on through January, as the month has several strong outings you should make note of.

Things kick off on Thursday, January 3 with the Hi-Rez Expo, which will feature the Smite PC and Console World Championships. Players from across the world have worked their placements in this tournament, and the final placement matches will decide who will compete live in front of a crowded arena from Thursday to Sunday. (Stream / Schedule)

That weekend you can also catch the Kumite in Tennessee, which will feature several prominent fighting games like Street Fighter V, Injustice 2, and Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite. (Streams / Schedule)

January 10 marks the start of the much-hyped Overwatch League full season, which should be interesting to watch due to its intensely regional and big-budget format. (Stream / Schedule)

On January 12, The Call of Duty: WWII World League kicks off in New Orleans, which will showcase the new stripped-down title in action. (Stream / Schedule)

That day also marks the start of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Boston Eleague Major, which will be the game's first million-dollar tournament of the year. (Stream / Schedule)

On January 15, Dota 2 returns with the Galaxy Battles tournament, which will have the game's biggest teams vying for $1,000,000 in prizes. (Check here for Stream and Schedule updates)

On January 19, Super Smash Bros. fans can catch their first big tournament of the year, Genesis 5. The event will have events for both Melee and For Wii U. (Check here for Stream and Schedule updates)

Meanwhile on January 20, Leauge of Legends comes back in full swing, as the North American branch of the CLS returns with a match between Team Liquid and Team Solo Mid, among several others. (Stream / Schedule)

That weekend also marks the start of Frosty Faustings, which will have events for several different fighting games, including Street Fighter V, Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2, Tekken 7, and more. (Stream and Schedule)

The following weekend you can catch Evo Japan, which is the first time the world's biggest fighting game tournament adds a new event in a foreign nation. (Stream / Schedule)

Also that weekend on January 26, the Gears of War 4 Pro Circuit will have its Mexico City Open, featuring a starting prize pool of $150,000 (Stream / Schedule)

That's it for January! And that's it for What to Watch This weekend for the year. Let us know if we missed an event, or if there's a scene you'd like us to cover, in the comments below.

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