Following their earlier reveal for aspiring Overwatch players’ journey to pro level, Blizzard last night unveiled the system which will be implemented in 2018, starting with a promotion/relegation tournament between Open Division and Overwatch Contenders called Contenders Trials.

I WANNA BE A PRO! WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!!!!

Your first step would be to make your name in the competitive Overwatch scene starting with the Open Division. Sign your team up here to compete in a six-week, Swiss-format season where the top teams will be invited to Contenders Trials. At the Contenders Trials, these select teams from the Open Division will play against (based on educated guess) bottom rung Overwatch Contenders teams for a promotion/ relegation opportunity.

OVERWATCH CONTENDERS WHAT?! 

Just like how pro sports teams have developmental teams (think Real Madrid’s Castilla, FC Barcelona B, Southampton), so does professional esports teams require such setup as supplement of talent for top tier teams of the future. A very welcomed approach by the Overwatch scene, so as to groom raw talent and ensuring that there is no dearth of new faces coming into the scene. This ensures quality to coexist with longevity of the circuit and provides room for aspiring amateurs to aim for before making it to the big stage.

So with that in mind, each Overwatch League team was given the option to field a Contenders roster in a region of their choice. The Overwatch League teams that will establish Academy Teams are:

• Contenders China: Shanghai Dragons
• Contenders Europe: London Spitfire
• Contenders North America: Boston Uprising, Florida Mayhem, Houston Outlaws, Los Angeles Gladiators, NYXL, Philadelphia Fusion, San Francisco Shock

To round up the remaining Overwatch Contenders slots, top teams from APEX, Premier Series, the Pacific Championship, and initial seasons of Contenders North America and Europe also have been invited to their region’s Contenders, based on final 2017 standings. The invites are as follows:

Contenders China

1. 1246
2. Legend Young Beyond
3. LGD Gaming
4. LinGan esports
5. Lucky Future
6. Miracle Team 1
7. Miraculous Youngster
8. Vici Gaming

Contenders Europe

1. 123
2. Bazooka Puppiez
3. eUnited
4. GamersOrigin
5. Singularity
6. Team Gigantti

Contenders Korea

1. BlossoM (formerly GC Busan)
2. Kongdoo Panthera
3. Lunatic-Hai
4. Foxes (formerly NC Foxes)
5. Runaway
6. WSG Red (formerly LW RED)
7. X-6 Gaming
8. Conbox

Additionally, Element Mystic, MiG (formerly Afreeca Freecs), Meta Athena, Meta Bellum, MVP Space, and Seven are invited to Korea’s first Contenders Trials.

Contenders North America

1. Envision
2. Faze Clan
3. FNRGFE
4. Rogue

Additionally, Kungarna and the Detroit Renegades are invited to North America’s first Contenders Trials.

Contenders Pacific

1. ahq e-Sports Club
2. Ardeont
3. Blank Esports
4. Flash Wolves
5. Hong Kong Attitude
6. Libalent Supreme
7. Machi Esports
8. MEGA Esports

These teams will have until January 9 to accept. For Contenders Australia and South America, the top eight teams from Open Division will be invited. Teams placed 9th–16th will compete in Contenders Trials for the remaining four Contenders slots.

From thereon, it’s all about performing at the highest level and getting noticed by the best of the best in the scene.

The path to pro is a long one but it is not entirely impossible for those who have what it takes. The roadmap is set and go – take a chance at being an Overwatch Pro by participating in the Open Division here.