Overwatch Rulebook – Ibex Gaming League

Revision 1.1
Last Modified: 11.05.2026
Effective Date: 18.04.2026

1. Introduction

This rulebook supplements the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook and outlines all Overwatch-specific regulations.

Applicability

All Overwatch competitions organised by IGL—including qualifiers, league play, and playoffs—are governed by:

  1. Swiss Law
  2. Competition-Specific Rules (per event)
  3. Overwatch Rulebook (this document)
  4. Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook

By participating, all teams and players agree to:

  • The Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook
  • This Overwatch Rulebook
  • Any event-specific regulations published on ibexgaming.org

2. Team & Player Regulations

2.1 Team Composition

  • Each team must consist of 5 starting players.
  • Substitute players may be registered in addition, in accordance with the maximum roster size defined for the respective competition.

2.2 Swiss Residency Requirement

At least a majority of the active lineup must:

  • Hold Swiss citizenship, or
  • Reside in Switzerland and possess at least a B permit, or
  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

2.3 Foreign Player Exceptions

The Tournament Administration may grant special exemptions for players who do not meet the standard residency requirement, in accordance with the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook and any competition-specific regulations.

2.4 Account Registration

  • All players must register their primary Overwatch account before participation.
  • Account sharing, smurfing, or multi-teaming is strictly prohibited.

2.5 Substitutions

  • Teams may use registered substitutes between maps.
  • Substitutions during an active map are not permitted unless a technical or emergency ruling by Tournament Administration explicitly allows it.
  • Emergency substitutions require prior admin approval.

2.6 Roster Management

Changes made to a team's roster do not automatically apply to the running competition; changes are only effective once announced to admins and listed on the official competition page.

Roster management differs between tournaments/qualifiers and league series:

  • Tournaments and Qualifiers: Rosters are locked at the start and no roster changes are permitted during the tournament or qualifier, except for emergency substitutions approved by admins.
  • League Series: Roster changes follow the league framework defined in the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook, unless competition-specific regulations define stricter limits.

3. Match Setup & Game Rules

3.1 Game Mode

All Overwatch matches in the Ibex Gaming League are played in Role Queue 5v5 Competitive format, unless otherwise specified in competition-specific regulations.

3.2 Series Progression (Standard)

The default map-type progression is:

  • Best-of-3 (Bo3):

    1. Control
    2. Hybrid
    3. Escort

  • Best-of-5 (Bo5):

    1. Control
    2. Hybrid
    3. Push
    4. Flashpoint
    5. Escort

Mode progression follows the sequence above. The first team to reach the required number of map wins wins the series.

3.3 Default Map Pool

  • Control: Busan, Lijiang Tower, Oasis
  • Hybrid: Blizzard World, Hollywood, King's Row
  • Push: Esperança, Runasapi
  • Flashpoint: Aatlis, Suravasa
  • Escort: Rialto, Route 66, Watchpoint: Gibraltar

The Tournament Administration may adjust the active map pool for a competition if required by patch changes, technical stability, or competitive integrity.

3.4 Map and Side Selection Principles

  • Unless otherwise announced for the specific event, the opening map is determined by the event procedure.
  • For subsequent maps, the losing team of the previous map selects the next map from the next required map type in the series progression. In the event of a draw, the team with the lower seeding (listed second on the match page) is granted the right to select the subsequent map.
  • Side selection is granted to the team not choosing the map.

3.5 Lobby Setup & Match Start

  • Teams must be ready before the scheduled match time and follow admin instructions for lobby creation and joining.
  • Unless otherwise instructed by Tournament Administration, the higher-seeded team (first listed on the match page) is responsible for hosting the lobby.
  • The Tournament Administration may provide lobby host assignment, lobby credentials, and side assignment where necessary.
  • If a team is not ready within the grace period announced for the event, penalties up to and including map loss or forfeit may be applied.

3.6 Pauses and Timeouts

  • Technical pauses are permitted only for legitimate technical issues.
  • Any tactical timeout structure must follow the event rules and admin instructions.
  • Abuse of pauses or deliberate delays may be sanctioned.

3.7 Match Result Reporting

  • The winning team is responsible for reporting the final match score to Tournament Administration through the official reporting method provided for the event.
  • Score reports must include relevant evidence (for example screenshots).

4. Broadcasting & Media

4.1 Player Streaming

  • Players may stream their own point-of-view (POV) gameplay unless restricted by administrators.
  • Personal streams must follow the media requirements defined in the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook and any event-specific delay requirements.
  • Official broadcasts take precedence over personal streams.

4.2 Voice Channels & Listen-Ins

  • Teams must use designated communication channels when required by the Tournament Administration.
  • For streamed matches, listen-ins may be used unless a team has submitted a valid opt-out according to the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook.
  • Teams may be required to provide one player for post-match interviews on official broadcasts.

5. Competitive Integrity

5.1 Fair Play

All players must uphold the highest standards of fair play and sportsmanship. Overwatch-specific violations include, but are not limited to:

  • Use of unauthorised software, tools, or macros
  • Exploiting known bugs or unintended game behavior for competitive advantage
  • Deliberate disconnections or match disruption
  • Playing under false identities or unregistered accounts
  • Any behaviour intended to manipulate competitive outcomes

5.2 Match Conduct

  • Teams must follow all instructions from referees and administrators during official matches.
  • Match communication must remain respectful and in line with the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook.
  • Any disputes must be reported immediately with relevant evidence (for example screenshots or match records).

6. Rule Enforcement

  • The Overwatch Admin Team has authority to issue warnings, penalties, map losses, forfeits, or disqualifications for rule violations.
  • Sanctions follow the league-wide disciplinary framework outlined in the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook.
  • Appeals and dispute resolution follow the standard procedures set out in the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook.

7. Final Provisions

7.1 Prizes

Prize distribution, if applicable, will be announced per event.
All prize winners are responsible for handling their own taxes and legal obligations.

7.2 Rule Scope

This rulebook governs all Overwatch competitions hosted by the Ibex Gaming League.
Any cases not explicitly covered here are subject to the discretion of the Ibex Gaming League.
All overarching governance and competition-wide policies are outlined in the Ibex Gaming League General Rulebook.