Overwatch is expanding its esports component to offer competitive players of all skill levels more chances to grow as teammates and shine. After closely following Overwatch Contenders, the Open Division and other regional leagues, the team is ready to reveal the Overwatch Path to Pro system.
From the official Path to Pro blog post:
Beginning in March, Overwatch Contenders will expand significantly. First, we will embrace existing regional leagues: Overwatch APEX, Overwatch Premier Series, and the Overwatch Pacific Championship will become Contenders Korea, Contenders China, and Contenders Pacific, respectively. Additionally, we will establish Contenders in two brand-new regions, Australia and South America. With the existing regions of North America and Europe, this brings the total number of Contenders locations to seven. With three seasons a year in seven regions, this will create more opportunities than ever before for players to challenge themselves—as well as to be noticed by Overwatch League scouts.
The top six teams from existing tournaments such as Contenders North America and Europe, APEX and others, will be invited to join their region’s Contenders for 2018. The new regions – Australia & Soth America – will hold qualifier tournaments to determine the entry.
The Open Division will return in January in the same 7 regions as the Contenders. It will be the time for the solo-queue heroes to shine. The teams dominating in the Open Division will also have their chance to advance further. At the end of each Contenders season, the 4 best Open Division teams from each region will be invited to compete in the Trials for their share of a prize pool and a spot in the next season of Contenders.
