The Overwatch OWCS World Finals Cheer Rally gives players a chance to earn Loot Boxes, Battle Pass XP and cosmetics by collecting Cheer. You can earn it through in-game challenges, with extra Cheer available for watching the OWCS World Finals on official broadcasts.
There’s one important catch before you start planning matches: Blizzard has published two different start dates for the Cheer Rally. The November 3 patch notes say November 24, while the Season 5 midcycle announcement says December 3. Both agree the event ends on December 7.
Overwatch OWCS World Finals Cheer Rally dates
Blizzard’s November 3 patch notes list November 24 to December 7 for playing matches and completing Cheer Rally challenges. However, its separate Season 5 midcycle article says the rally will run from December 3 to 7. The dates don’t match, and neither official page explains the difference.
What is confirmed is the World Finals broadcast window: December 2 to 6, 2026. Blizzard says watching official broadcasts during those dates can earn extra Cheers. The in-game event calendar should settle the challenge start date when the rally becomes available.
The finals themselves take place in Guangzhou, China, with 12 teams competing. The first two days are scheduled for studio matches, followed by three days at Guangzhou Gymnasium. You don’t need to attend in person to take part in the in-game rally or watch the official streams.
How to earn Cheer from matches and challenges
The Overwatch OWCS World Finals Cheer Rally rewards Cheer for playing matches and completing event challenges. Once the rally appears in your Events or Challenges menu, check which objectives are available and whether you’ve completed the requirements for the next reward.
Blizzard hasn’t published a full list of the individual challenge objectives or the amount of Cheer each one gives. That means there’s no verified match count for finishing every milestone yet. Avoid relying on reward tables built from a different OWCS event, since this campaign has its own progression.
How to get Cheer from Twitch and YouTube
You can also earn additional Cheer by watching official OWCS World Finals broadcasts from December 2 to 6. Blizzard’s midcycle announcement names Twitch and YouTube and specifically reminds viewers to link their accounts.
Before the World Finals begin, make sure your Battle.net account is connected to the streaming account you plan to use. Watch through the eligible official channel and follow any instructions shown on the live Cheer Rally or broadcast rewards page. Don’t assume a co-stream or a saved video will count.
The announcement doesn’t give a confirmed number of viewing hours for each Cheer milestone. If you’re looking for a specific reward, the live campaign tracker is the place to check the requirement. Older Overwatch esports Drops schedules aren’t a substitute.
Overwatch OWCS World Finals Cheer Rally rewards
Blizzard lists three reward categories for the Overwatch OWCS World Finals Cheer Rally: Loot Boxes, Battle Pass XP and cosmetic items. The patch notes don’t identify every cosmetic or give the Cheer cost of each reward. Those details need to come from the actual event track.
Cheer is an event progression currency, not the same thing as Competitive Points or Battle Pass XP. You collect Cheer through the rally’s advertised activities and use it towards that event’s rewards. The new December Drives are a separate event with different reward tracks.
Can you collect Cheer before the finals start?
According to the November 3 patch notes, yes: the Overwatch OWCS World Finals Cheer Rally challenge window begins November 24, ahead of the December 2 competition. The midcycle article instead says the rally starts December 3. Until the game shows the event calendar, don’t treat November 24 as a guaranteed live date.
Do you need to buy a pass?
Blizzard describes the rally as an event based on challenges and official stream viewing. It hasn’t announced a separate paid Cheer Rally pass in either of the two November announcements. This is not the same as the Taking Reign Event Pass, which has its own free and premium reward tracks.
Related Guides
Official sources: Blizzard November 2026 patch notes and Blizzard Season 5 midcycle announcement.
