World of Warcraft is one of the longest-running MMORPGs in gaming history. With a massive fanbase, rich lore, and years of consistent updates, it’s no surprise that the game still holds strong in 2025. Blizzard’s 2020 expansion, Shadowlands, brought a wave of new and returning players, proving the game still has plenty of life left.
But for all its success, WoW still hasn’t made a major impact in the Esports world. And that’s a missed opportunity.
Right now, World of Warcraft’s Esports scene is centered almost entirely on 3v3 Arena PvP. This is where Blizzard focuses its official tournaments, like the Arena World Championship (AWC), and most of the PvP competition takes place.
3v3 Arena is intense, fast-paced, and requires deep game knowledge, coordination, and high-level skill. However, for the average player or casual viewer, it can be hard to follow. You need to understand class roles, cooldowns, team compositions, and matchups. For new or returning players, that’s a steep learning curve.
What about Battlegrounds?
Battlegrounds are large 10v10 team fights with clear objectives—like capturing flags or holding bases. They're one of the most accessible PvP formats in WoW and a favorite for casual players. And yet, Blizzard hasn’t turned this format into a major Esport.
That’s surprising because Battlegrounds are perfect for team-based competitive play:
Plus, they would allow more players to get involved competitively—not just the elite few in the Arena scene.
There’s no reason WoW can’t support both 3v3 Arena and 10v10 Battlegrounds as Esports formats. They offer different experiences:
By including both, Blizzard could open up more competitive opportunities, attract new players, and make PvP more approachable. Pros could cross over between modes, teams could have Battleground and Arena squads, and fans would get more content to enjoy.
From a viewer’s point of view, Battlegrounds make more sense:
Unlike Arena, where one kill often ends the match, Battlegrounds allow comebacks, creative strategies, and team synergy to shine. That’s exactly the kind of action Esports fans love to watch.
Blizzard has the tools and the audience to make WoW Battlegrounds a true Esports success. It’s puzzling why they haven’t made a bigger push in this direction. It wouldn’t hurt the game—in fact, it would expand its reach and breathe new life into WoW’s competitive scene.
3v3 Arena deserves its place, no doubt. But World of Warcraft has more to offer—and Battleground Esports might be the key to unlocking that next level.
