Just hours ago, Blizzard announced the newest component of Overwatch esports. The Overwatch Open Division will be the destination for amateur players who are trying to break into the scene and make a name for themselves. According to the official announcement, players will "face other top-ranked players and teams in [their] region in a structured format" that should help top ladder players find their start as professional games.

Getting into the open division is as simple as obtaining Master Rank (or higher) during the most recent seasons of the competitive ladder. Once a player reaches Master, they can formulate their own team to compete in regional play. Sign-ups are already live for the first seasons that starts on July 3.

The following regions will have their own Open Division:

- North American
- Latin American
- Eastern Europe
- Western Europe
- Brazil
- Australia/New Zealand
- South Asia

Blizzard already has plans for additional regions being supported in the future.

This initiative allows virtually anyone who has the patience and dedication to reach Master rank get a taste of organized play. The prizes aren't enormous and players as young as 13 are eligible to play, but the Overwatch Open Division completes a trifecta esports paths for every level of passionate Overwatch tryhard. If the Overwatch League is the major leagues, and Overwatch Contenders are the minor leagues, then it's fair to call Overwatch Open Division the little league.