Why It Matters
Twisted Minds’ triumph reinforces Saudi Arabia’s rising influence in global esports and sets a benchmark for regional teams ahead of the 2026 OWCS main season.
Key Takeaways
- •Twisted Minds won OWCS 2026 Pre‑Season Bootcamp.
- •Defeated Crazy Raccoon 4‑1, earning $15,000 prize.
- •Continued dominance after 2025 OWCS World Finals victory.
- •Reverse‑swept Team Liquid after trailing 0‑2 in semifinals.
- •Sets stage for OWCS Stage 1 and Champions Clash.
Pulse Analysis
The Overwatch Champions Series Pre‑Season Bootcamp in Hongdae served as a proving ground for elite teams, and Twisted Minds emerged as the clear front‑runner. Their 4‑1 victory over Crazy Raccoon not only secured a $15,000 payout but also demonstrated strategic map control across Busan, Blizzard World, and Colosseo. By consistently outperforming both Korean and Western opponents, the Saudi outfit showcased a depth of talent that rivals traditional powerhouses, signaling a shift in the competitive balance of Overwatch esports.
Twisted Minds’ path to the title was marked by a dramatic semifinal comeback against Team Liquid, where they overturned a 0‑2 deficit to win three consecutive maps. This reverse‑sweep highlighted the team’s adaptability and mental fortitude, traits that have become hallmarks of their recent success, including a Stage 3 EMEA win and the 2025 World Finals crown. Their disciplined scrim regimen and map‑specific expertise allowed them to dominate key stages of the final, reinforcing the importance of preparation in high‑stakes tournaments.
Looking ahead, the bootcamp victory positions Twisted Minds as the favorite for OWCS Stage 1, slated to begin March 21. Their momentum will be tested against a refreshed roster field, but the win boosts their brand visibility and attracts sponsorship interest in the burgeoning Saudi esports market. The upcoming Champions Clash in Tokyo will further pit regional champions against each other, offering Twisted Minds a platform to cement Saudi Arabia’s growing clout on the global esports stage.
Twisted Minds wins OWCS Pre-Season Bootcamp
Image Credit: @OW_Esports
Saudi Arabian esports organisation Twisted Minds has won the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) 2026 Pre-Season Bootcamp.
Taking place at the WDG Studio Hongdae in Seoul, Twisted Minds beat Crazy Raccoon’s full-Korean line-up in the final with a convincing 4-1 record, taking home $15,000 out of the $25,000 prize pool. Team Falcons and Team Liquid were the third and fourth-place teams.
Keep Reading
Twisted Minds Continue to Dominate OWCS
Twisted Minds came into the tournament with strong momentum, having previously won the OWCS Stage 3 in EMEA and the OWCS World Finals last November.
After a strong start against T1 in the quarterfinals, the team found itself in a pinch against North American champions Team Liquid, which took a 2-0 lead in the semifinal match. That said, Twisted Minds pulled off the reverse sweep, taking Eichenwalde, Havana, and Colosseo to make the comeback.
In the grand final, Crazy Raccoon, which was also pushed to a full best-of-five series by Team Falcons in the semifinal, couldn’t keep up with Twisted Minds. The latter went immediately to match point after winning Busan, Blizzard World, and Colosseo. Even though Crazy Raccoon defended the finish line on Shambali Monastery, it wasn’t enough to turn the momentum in its favour, with Twisted Minds retaking control on Esperança and ending the series.
For Crazy Raccoon, the outcome is still positive, considering the team had struggled to perform during pre-season scrims, having won just two series out of the eight played, with only a 31% map win rate.
Twisted Minds, on the other hand, maintained consistency both during scrims and on-stage.
What’s Next on the OWCS 2026 Calendar
With the Pre-Season Bootcamp now coming to an end, the participating teams will have a small break to see which squads will join the rosters in at OWCS Stage 1. Twisted Minds will look to defend its title starting on March 21st, while the Korean league will kick off its new season on March 16th.
All the top teams from each regional competition will then gather together for the OWCS 2026 Champions Clash, which will take place in Tachikawa, Tokyo, later this May.
The post Twisted Minds wins OWCS Pre-Season Bootcamp appeared first on Esports Insider.
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...