Eight teams qualified for the season playoffs. In the league's West region, five teams qualified: the top three teams based on the Western regular season standings and the top two teams from the Western play-in tournament. In the league's East region, three teams qualified: the top two teams based on the Eastern regular season standings and the top team from the Eastern play-in tournament.[2]
The playoffs were divided into two phases. It started with two four-team double-elimination tournaments. The top two teams from each group then moved on to a four-team single-elimination Grand Finals bracket, which culminated in the Grand Finals. The composition of the groups was determined through a draft process, during which top-seeded teams selected their opponents for the opposing bracket. Teams continued to select their opponents until all teams were accounted for.[3][4] Teams were seeded based on the order of these selections.[5] Except for the Grand Finals match, all other matches adhered to a best-of-five series format, while the finals were played as a best-of-seven series.[3]
The 2023 playoffs were played at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, also known as Maple Leaf Gardens.
All playoff matches were played at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Canada. The venue also hosted the OWL 2022 Summer Showdown. The location was chosen in conjunction with a deal made between the Overwatch League and the Toronto Defiant, wherein the Defiant had agreed to host the event. It was the first time that the Grand Finals were held outside of the United States.[6][7]
