The Overwatch League offseason is always the most chaotic time of the year. Teams release underperforming staff members, up the paychecks of their star players, and battle each other to sign the next Rookie of the Year. Not much is known about the 2021 Overwatch League season, but we do know that change is inevitable for most rosters.
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Expect enormous shifts during the 2020 offseason. After a difficult year of quarantine and online tournament play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many players may opt to retire or pursue other opportunities in esports. With these likely retirements comes the opportunity for new stars to rise and join the Overwatch League.
Teams must have a minimum of seven players signed by Jan. 4, 2021, according to the roster construction rules for the 2021 season. Teams have until Oct. 16 to extend contracts that were created in 2020 and until Nov. 13 to extend contracts from 2019. Players who aren’t re-signed by Nov. 20 will become free agents, able to be signed by any team within the league.
Our offseason tracker begins in September, seen at the bottom of the page, when many teams were knocked out of Grand Finals contention. It will continue to be updated throughout the Overwatch League season.
May 2021
- May 27: Toronto Defiant adds DPS Luka “Aspire” Rolovic on a 30-day contract.
- Vancouver Titans adds main tank Moon “ChangSik” Chang-sik.
- May 25: Shanghai Dragons acquires flex DPS Lee “WhoRU” Seung-jun.
- May 24: Vancouver Titans main tank Abtin “ShRedLock” Shirvani retires.
- May 21: Shanghai Dragons DPS Jeong “Erster” Joon retires from professional Overwatch.
- May 19: Houston Outlaws adds main tank Song “Dreamer” Sang-lok.
- May 12: Washington Justice off-tank Park “Ria” Seong-Wook retires.
- May 10: Dallas Fuel adds hitscan DPS Kim “Pine” Do-hyeon.
- Paris Eternal picks up main support Arthur “dridro” Szanto.
- May 6: Paris Eternal parts ways with main support Alberto “neptuNo” Gonzalez.
April 2021
- April 16: Boston Uprising adds off-tank Yun “GaeBullSsi” Young-sun.
- April 13: Dallas Fuel DPS Jung “Xzi” Ki-hyo steps down from professional play due to medical issues.
- April 8: Philadelphia Fusion adds main support Yang “tobi” Jin-mo.
- April 7: Philadelphia Fusion adds off-tank Choi “HOTBA” Hong-joon.
- April 6: Boston Uprising parts ways with DPS Terence “SoOn” Tarlier.
March 2021
- March 25: Chengdu Hunters promotes flex support Xiang “Mmonk” Zhou to its league roster.
- March 18: Los Angeles Valiant announces its new roster. This includes Cai “Krystal” Shilong, Liao “MoLanran” Yang, Han “Silver3” Haibo, Wen “NvM” Yelin, Cheng “ShowCheng” Yu, Zhang “Highbee” Zening, and Qi “Wya” Haomiao.
- March 15: Philadelphia Fusion picks up DPS Kim “Rascal” Dong-jun.
- March 13: Brady “Agilities” Girardi joins the Toronto Defiant as a content creator.
February 2021
- Feb. 14: Washington Justice signs DPS Kim “Assassin” Sung-won.
- Feb. 11: Atlanta Reign signs DPS Kai Collins.
- Feb. 10: Atlanta Reign drops DPS Hugo “SharP” Sahlberg.
- Toronto Defiant adds flex support Mun “Lastro” Jung-won.
- Feb. 8: London Spitfire signs DPS Johannes “Shax” Nielsen.
- Feb. 3: Boston Uprising adds DPS Kim “Valentine” Byeong-ju and main support Kim “Faith” Hong-gyu.
- Former Los Angeles Valiant off-tank Caleb “McGravy” McGarvey retires from professional play.
January 2021
- Jan. 29: Los Angeles Valiant drops entire roster before move to East region.
- Jan. 21: Guangzhou Charge signs tank Kim “Jihun” Ji-hun.
- Caster Jake Lyon comes out of retirement, rejoins the Houston Outlaws.
- Jan. 20: Former Toronto Defiant tank Seb “numlocked” Barton retires.
- Jan. 8: San Francisco Shock DPS Lee “ANS” Seon-chang retires from professional Overwatch.
- Jan. 6: Seoul Dynasty promotes off-tank Lim “Toyou” Hyeon-woo from a two-way contract to a full roster position.
- London Spitfire adds DPS players William “SparkR” Andersson and Dominic “Hybrid” Grove.
- Former Toronto Defiant coach Dennis “Barroi” Matz joins the Boston Uprising as an assistant coach.
- Jan. 5: London Spitfire adds main support Kristian “Kellex” Keller, main tank Hadi Daniel “Hadi” Bleinagel, and off-tank Mikkel “Molf1g” Djernes.
- Jan. 4: London Spitfire signs flex support Riku “Ripa” Toivanen. Main support Kim “Fuze” Tae-hoon is also released.
- Vancouver Titans adds DPS Kim “Teru” Min-ki.
December 2020
- Dec. 26: London Spitfire adds DPS Jeffrey “blasé” Tsang.
- Dec. 23: NYXL promotes Lee “WhyNot” Ju-hyeop to head coach; former head coach Jeong “imt” Yong-cheol becomes head of data.
- Dec. 22: NYXL adds four DPS players in Lee “Ivy” Seung-hyun, Lee “FEATH5R” Seung-woo, Lim “Flora” Young-woo, and Kim “Gwangboong” Gwang-won.
- Paris Eternal signs Zouheir “GetAmazed” Baba as head coach.
- Dec. 18: Paris Eternal adds DPS Samir “Tsuna” Ikram.
- Dec. 17: NYXL signs main support Jo “Friday” Min-jae.
- Dec. 15: Boston Uprising adds DPS Terence “SoOn” Tarlier.
- Dec. 11: Florida Mayhem adds main tank Son “OGE” Min-seok, main support Kim “SLIME” Sung-jun, DPS Baek “Checkmate” Seung-hun. The team also re-signs DPS players Kim “Yaki” Jun-gi and Lee “BQB” Sang-bum, off-tank Lee “Gargoyle” Beom-jun and flex support Gang “GangNamJin” Nam-jin.
- Dec. 9: Paris Eternal adds DPS players Nikolai “Naga” Dereli and Stefan “Onigod” Fiskerstrand, main tank Daniël “Daan” Vincentius Paulus Scheltema, off-tank Elliot “ELLIVOTE” Vaneyrd, main support Alberto “neptuNo” González, and flex support Emir “Kaan” Okumus. Former assistant general manager Kim “AVALLA” Kyoung Ey is promoted to general manager.
- Los Angeles Valiant picks up DPS Brady “Agilities” Girardi.
- Dec. 7: Houston Outlaws signs DPS Kyle “KSF” Frandanisa.
- Dec. 4: Houston Outlaws adds main tank Cho “JJANGGU” Myung-heum and off-tank Shin “PIGGY” Min-jun.
- Los Angeles Gladiators signs flex support Kim “skewed” Min-seok.
- Shanghai Dragons part ways with player coach Song “Quatermain” Ji-hoon.
- Dec. 1: Vancouver Titans adds DPS Jiri “LiNkzr” Masalin, off-tank Nathan “frd” Goebel, and main support Anthony “Fire” King.
- San Francisco Shock signs DPS Lim “Glister” Gil-seong.
November 2020
- Nov. 30: San Francisco Shock signs DPS Charlie “Nero” Zwarg.
- Nov. 29: Seoul Dynasty adds DPS Park “Saebyeolbe” Jong Ryeol and main support Jung “Anamo” Tae-sung.
- Guangzhou Charge adds former players Park “Neko” Se-hyeon and Kim “Daemin” Dae-min as assistant coaches.
- Nov. 27: Seoul Dynasty parts ways with main support Yang “Tobi” Jin-mo.
- Shanghai Dragons parts ways with main tank Seo “Stand1” Ji-won.
- Former London Spitfire main tank Choi “JMac” Dae-hon retires from professional play.
- Nov. 26: Chengdu Hunters adds main tank Jiaxin “GA9A” Qiu and flex support Jiale “Faraway1987” Cao; both will still play for Team CC in the Contenders Gauntlet.
- Nov. 25: Houston Outlaws adds DPS Lee “Happy” Jung-woo.
- Nov. 24: Houston Outlaws signs flex support William “Crimzo” Hernandez.
- Nov. 23: Philadelphia Fusion signs DPS Niclas “sHockWave” Smidt Jensen.
- Toronto Defiant adds DPS Jeong “Heesu” Hee-Su.
- Nov. 22: Washington Justice signs off-tank Park “Ria” Seong-Wook.
- Chengdu Hunters adds main support Li “Nisha” Tan.
- Nov. 21: Washington Justice signs off-tank Kim “Fury” Jun-ho.
- Nov. 20: Chengdu Hunters adds DPS players Lei “Jimmy” Yujia and Liu “Kaneki” Nian.
- Seoul Dynasty parts ways with DPS Park “Illicit” Jae-min, off-tank Choi “Michelle” Min-hyuk, flex support Choi “Bdosin” Seung-tae, and main support Kim “Slime” Sung-jun.
- Washington Justice signs main support Jung “Closer” Won-sik.
- Nov. 19: Hangzhou Spark signs off-tank Shin “Bernar” Se-won and DPS Seo “SeoMinSoo” Min-Soo.
- Washington Justice adds flex support Yoon “BeBe” Hui-Chang.
- Toronto Defiant signs main support An “AnSoonJae” Soon-jae.
- Los Angeles Valiant signs off-tank Adam Soong.
- Nov. 18: New York Excelsior drops DPS players Kim “Libero” Hye-sung and Park “Saebyeolbe” Jong Ryeol as well as main support Jeong “Anamo” Tae-seong.
- Washington Justice drops flex support Kwon “AimGod” Min-seok, DPS Lee “Stitch” Chung-hee, and off-tank Choi “JJanu” Hyeon-woo.
- Nov. 17: Toronto Defiant signs flex support Park “Aztac” Jeong-soo.
- London Spitfire releases off-tank Shin “Bernar” Se-won and main support Lym “SanGuiNar” Kyu-min.
- Chengdu Hunters releases supports Kong “Kyo” Chunting and Chen “Lengsa” Jingyi; they join Chengdu’s academy team, Team Chaser.
- Chengdu main support Li “Yveltal” Xianyao and off-tank Ma “Lateyoung” Tianbin will be two-way players in 2021.
- Shanghai Dragons signs former Atlanta Reign DPS Jeong “ErsTer” Joon.
- Hangzhou Spark adds main tank Lee “Takoyaki” Young-hyun.
- Nov. 16: Hangzhou Spark adds flex support Lee “MCD” Jeong-ho.
- Nov. 15: Hangzhou Spark adds off-tank Jia “LiGe” Chengjie.
- Nov. 14: Dallas Fuel acquires DPS Jung “Xzi” Ki-hyo from the Paris Eternal.
- Guangzhou Charge signs DPS Choi “Choisehwan” Se-Hwan.
- Nov. 13: Atlanta Reign signs DPS Oh “Pelican” Se-hyun.
- Los Angeles Valiant DPS Kyle “KSF” Frandanisa announces his free agency.
- Nov. 12: Los Angeles Gladiators adds main support Grant “Moth” Espe.
- Boston Uprising signs DPS Hong “im37” Jin-ui, drops main tank Park “Axxiom” Min-sub.
- Philadelphia Fusion confirms DPS Lee “Carpe” Jae-hyeok will return for the 2021 season.
- London Spitfire adds Justin “Reprize” Hand as head coach and Xavier “CommanderX” Hardy as assistant coach.
- San Francisco Shock adds main support Brice “FDGoD” Monscavoir.
- Guangzhou Charge signs DPS Zijie “MYKaylee” Zou.
- Hangzhou Spark releases off-tank Yu “QoQ” Sung-jun.
- Nov. 11: Philadelphia Fusion parts ways with main tank Kim “Sado” Su-min, off-tank Kim “Fury” Jun-ho, and DPS Lee “Ivy” Seung-Hyun.
- Guangzhou Charge signs main support Kim “Mandu” Chan-hee.
- Shanghai Dragons acquires main tank Koo “Fate” Pan-seung from the Florida Mayhem.
- Nov. 10: Dallas Fuel acquires main support Lee “Jecse” Seung-soo.
- Guangzhou Charge adds flex support Park “KariV” Young-seo.
- Nov. 9: Washington Justice signs DPS Min “Jerry” Tae-hee.
- Guangzhou Charge drops DPS players DPS players Lee “Happy” Jung-woo and Charlie “Nero” Zwarg as well as flex support Kim “Shu” Jin-seo. Shu joins the Los Angeles Gladiators.
- Nov. 8: Los Angeles Gladiators signs main tank Kim “Muze” Young-hun.
- Nov. 7: Dallas Fuel acquires main tank Lee “Fearless” Eui-seok from the Shanghai Dragons.
- Washington Justice support Hong “ArK” Yeon-jun retires from professional Overwatch.
- Toronto Defiant DPS Lane “Surefour” Roberts and off-tank Andreas “Nevix” Karlsson announce hiatus from competitive Overwatch.
- Nov. 6: Toronto Defiant re-signs main tank Adam “Beast” Denton.
- Nov. 5: Boston Uprising parts ways with DPS Min “Jerry” Tae-hee.
- Nov. 2: Paris Eternal DPS players Terence “SoOn” Tarlier and Nicolas “NiCOgdh” Moret and main tank Benjamin “BenBest” Dieulafait announce their free agency.
- NYXL main support Kim “Mandu” Chan-hee announces his free agency.
- Seoul Dynasty releases strategist Kim “WizardHyeong” Hyeong-seok.
- NYXL main tank Kim “Mano” Dong-gyu departs the team and joins the Philadelphia Fusion.
October 2020
- Oct. 30: Los Angeles Gladiators promote Brenda Suh to general manager.
- Oct. 28: Seoul Dynasty re-signs DPS Kim “Fits” Dong-eon, flex support Kim “Creative” Young-wan, and tank Hwang “Marve1” Min-Seo.
- Dallas Fuel re-signs assistant coach Kim “Yong” Young-jin and adds Aid, formerly of Paris Eternal, as another assistant coach.
- Oct. 27: Houston Outlaws re-signs Dante “Danteh” Cruz for the 2021 season.
- Dallas fuel acquires flex supports Kwon “Fielder” Joon and Kim “Rapel” Jun-geun.
- Los Angeles Gladiators adds Tydolla, formerly of Guangzhou Charge, as assistant coach.
- Washington Justice adds Lee “Hocury” Ho-cheol, formerly of Seoul Dynasty, as personal coach.
- Oct. 26: Philadelphia Fusion re-signs assistant coaches Sim “Mobydik” Seung-Bo and Christopher “ChrisTFer” Graham.
- San Francisco Shock adds Hong “Agape” Cheol-yong as assistant coach and promotes Cas “Casores” van Andel from analyst to assistant coach.
- Oct. 25: San Francisco Shock parts ways with DPS Kim “Rascal” Dong-jun.
- Shanghai Dragons releases off-tank Kim “Geguri” Se-yeon, DPS Bae “Diem” Min-seong, support Yang “Luffy” Seong-hyeon, and DPS Yang “DDing” Jin-hyeok as well as two-way DPS Lu “Diya” Weida.
- Oct. 24: Washington Justice re-signs Jang “Decay” Gui-un for the 2021 season and adds main tank Kim “Mag” Tae-sung.
- Toronto Defiant adds KDG as head coach and officially re-signs DPS Andreas “Logix” Berghmans.
- Oct. 23: Paris Eternal releases coaching staff, including head coach Yon “Rush” Hee-won, general manager Kim “NineK” Beom-hoom, and assistant coaches Jeong “Levi” Chung-hyeok and Go “Aid” Jae-yoon.
- Rush joins the Dallas Fuel as head coach.
- Dallas Fuel acquires DPS Kim “SP9RK1E” Young-han and off-tank Choi “Hanbin” Han-been from the Paris Eternal.
- Philadelphia Fusion adds NineK as head coach.
- Oct. 22: Hangzhou Spark adds DPS Zheng “Shy” Yangjie to its roster.
- Seoul Dynasty announces DPS Park “Profit” Joon-yeong and tank Hong “Gesture” Jae-hee will return in 2021.
- Atlanta Reign officially releases Dogman, frd, Fire, and Pokpo as well as DPS players Joon “Erster” Jeong and Garrett “Saucy” Roland.
- Washington Justice parts ways with main tank Gye “rOar” Chang-hoon.
- Oct. 21: New York Excelsior parts ways with DPS players Jeong “Nenne” Yeon-kwan and Lee “Whoru” Seung-joon and off-tanks Choi “Hotba” Hong-joon and Kim “BiaNcA” Dong-wook.
- Philadelphia Fusion releases EQO, DPS Philip “ChipSa” Graham, and head coach Kim “KDG” Dong Gun.
- Toronto Defiant releases DPS players Brady “Agilities” Girardi, Lane “Surefour” Roberts, and Thomas “zYKK” Hosono, main tanks Adam “Beast” Denton and Seb “Numlocked” Barton, off-tank Andreas “Nevix” Karlsson, main supports Harrison “Kruise” Pond and Park “RoKy” Joo-seung, and flex support Park “KariV” Young-seo. The team also releases coach Liam “Mangachu” Campbell.
- Oct. 20: Boston Uprising officially re-signs main tank Cameron “Fusions” Bosworth, off-tank Leyton “Punk” Gilchrist, DPS Kelsey “Colourhex” Birse, and support Seo “Myunbong” Sang-min.
- Kim “Haksal” Hyo-jong of the New York Excelsior announces he’s retiring from professional Overwatch.
- Oct. 19: Houston Outlaws promote former player Matt “Coolmatt” Iorio to general manager.
- Oct. 18: Hangzhou Spark releases off-tanks Park “Ria” Seong-Wook and Song “SASIN” Sang-hyun, support Yoon “BeBe” Hui-chang, and DPS players Kang “Adora” Jae-hwan and Chon “Ado” Gi-hyeon.
- Oct. 17: Atlanta Reign off-tank Park “Pokpo” Hyun-Jun announces his free agency.
- London Spitfire releases main tank Choi “JMac” Dae-hon.
- Philadelphia Fusion DPS Josue “EQO” Corona announces free agency.
- Vancouver Titans re-signs DPS Dalton Bennyhoff, main tank Abtin “ShRedLock” Shirvani, and flex support Randal “Roolf” Stark.
- Oct. 16: Guangzhou Charge releases main supports Alberto “neptuNo” González and Kim “Chara” Jung-yeon. The team also released flex support Qi “Wya” Haomiao and DPS Cai “Krystal” Shilong, who were two-way players for the team.
- Chengdu Hunters releases DPS Lo “Baconjack” Tzu-heng and tank Chen “ATing” Shao-ha.
- Houston Outlaws off-tank Kim “MekO” Tae Hong announces his free agency.
- Los Angeles Gladiators mutually parts ways with Son “OGE” Min-seok.
- San Francisco Shock releases assistant coach Lee “Arachne” Ji-won.
- London Spitfire adds Ysabel “Noukky” Müeller as general manager.
- Atlanta Reign flex support Dusttin “Dogman” Bowerman announces his free agency.
- Dallas Fuel DPS Stefan “Onigod” Fiskerstrand, flex support William “Crimzo” Hernandez, and main support Nolan “Paintbrush” Edwards become free agents. Off-tank Lucas “NotE” Meissner and main support Jung “Closer” Won-sik are also dropped. Main tank Ashley “Trill” Powell is dropped, will pursue a career in VALORANT.
- Vancouver Titans releases main support Carson “CarCar” First, off-tank Alhumaidi “KSAA” Alruwaili, and DPS Samir “Tsuna” Ikram.
- Los Angeles Valiant drops off-tank Caleb “McGravy” McGarvey, DPS Damon “Apply” Conti, and main tank Rick “GiG” Salazar.
- Atlanta Reign off-tank Nathan “frd” Goebel and main support Anthony “Fire” King announce their free agency.
- Oct. 15: London Spitfire drops seven players. DPS players Park “Babel” Sang-jun, Jung “Although” Hyun-wook and Lee “Schwi” Dong-jae, main tank Kim “Jihun” Ji-hun, off-tank Cho “Clestyn” Gun-hee, and flex supports Lee “Highly” Sung-hyeok and Jeong “Krillin” Young-hoon are released into free agency.
- Houston Outlaws DPS Dante “Danteh” Cruz announces free agency.
- San Francisco Shock assistant coach Jae “Junkbuck” Choi leaves the team and joins the Houston Outlaws as co-head coach.
- Oct. 14: Florida Mayhem releases DPS Ha “Sayaplayer” Jeong-woo, main support Choi “Kris” Jun-soo, tank Choi “Karayan” San-ha, and flex support Seong “Byrem” Joo Lee.
- Houston Outlaws DPS Jiri “LiNkzr” Masalin, main tank Austin “Muma” Wilmot, Lee “Jecse” Seong-soo, and DPS Jeffrey “Blasé” Tsang announce their free agency. Assistant coach Chris “Dream” Myrick also leaves the team.
- Oct. 12: Los Angeles Gladiators releases main tank Roni “LhCloudy” Tiihonen.
- Philadelphia Fusion flex support Isaac “Boombox” Charles announces free agency.
- San Francisco Shock main support Grant “Moth” Espe announces free agency, though he notes he’s still with the Shock.
- Oct. 8: Boston Uprising releases main tank Michael “Mikeyy” Konicki and main support Kobe “Halo” Hamand.
- Los Angeles Gladiators releases strategic coach Rohit “Curryshot” Nathani.
- Oct. 6: Guangzhou Charge drops head coach Cho “J1N” Hyo-jin and assistant coaches Jung “Tydolla” Seung-min and Hong “Sungwoo” Sung-woo.
- Los Angeles Gladiators release DPS Jason “Jaru” White, off-tank Aaron “Bischu” Kim, main support Benjamin “BigGoose” Isohanni, and flex support Jonas “Shaz” Suovaara.
- Oct. 5: Boston Uprising adds Kim “Lori” Seung-hyun as head coach.
- Oct. 2: Washington Justice parts ways with assistant coach Lee “Wiz” Joon Hae.
- Oct. 1: Overwatch League commissioner Pete Vlastelica steps down from his position.
- London Spitfire releases its entire coaching staff. This includes head coach Hong “Agape” Cheol-yong, assistant coaches Yu “Pavane” Hyeon-sang and Lim “Twinkl” Young-bin, and strategic coach Kim “Sqix” Geon-yong.
- Dallas Fuel assistant coach Kang “Vol’Jin” Min-Gyu leaves the team.
September 2020
- Sept. 24: Boston Uprising assistant coach Rollon “Mini” Hamelin and analyst Jake “Spackle” Connell leave the team.
- Sept. 18: Chengdu Hunters releases co-head coaches Murong “Chen” Chen and Chang “Ray” Chia-Hua and assistant coach Guan “Garry” Li. Former head coach Xingrui “RUI” Wang is reinstated in his position.
- Sept. 9: Toronto Defiant releases interim head coach LilBow.
