As we head into Pro Tour Dragon's Maze, Wizards has announced new changes to Organized Play for the 2013-2014 season. There are going to be a lot of small but significant changes to the way that Magic Organized Play functions from the PTQ and Grand Prix level up to the Pro Tour.

First, let's discuss the changes to the Pro Player Club. Starting in the 2013-2014 season, there will be a number of changes to how you achieve different levels in the Pro Player Club, as well as the benefits provided at each level. Let's start with the changes to how you level up in the Pro Player Club. Starting with Pro Tour Dragon's Maze, Pro Tour champions earn Platinum status for the current season and next season. Starting in the 2013-2014 season, your top five Grand Prix finishes will count towards your Pro Point thresholds. Now what about the changes in benefits?

Silver

• 20 Pro Points (previously 15)
• Recieve 2 byes at Grand Prix
• Invited to World Magic Cup Qualifiers
• New: recieves 10 QPs for each Magic Online Championship Series season
• New: invited to the Pro Tour following their promotion to Silver.

Gold

• 35 Pro Points (previously 30)
• Receives 3 byes at Grand Prix
• Invited to World Magic Cup Qualifiers
• Invited to all Pro Tours
• New: receives 15 GPs for each Magic Online Championship Series season
• New: receives a $500 appearance fee for competing at a Pro Tour

Platinum

• 50 Pro Points (previously 45)
• Receives 3 byes at Grand Prix
• Invited to World Magic Cup Qualifiers
• Invited to all Pro Tours
• Receives a $3,000 appearance fee for competing at  a Pro Tour
• Receives a $1,000 appearance fee for competing in the World Magic Cup
• Receives a $250 appearance fee for competing in a Grand Prix
• Receives air travel and hotel accommodation for all Pro Tours
• New: receives 20 QPs for each Magic Online Championship Series season
• New: receives a free sleep-in special at Grand Prix, if available

These changes are meant to make Silver a stepping stone towards Gold and Platinum. It provides enough benefits that players can earn enough Pro Points to stay on the tour. It is also hoped that these changes will further develop the relationship between paper Magic and Magic Online.

But what about Grand Prix? There are three primary changes to the structure of Grand Prix for the 2013-2014 season. Let's take a look:

• Grand Prix will have a maximum of 15 rounds (9 on Day One and 6 on Day Two)
• For Grand Prix with 1,200 or more players, all players with 39 or more points will earn an invitation to the Pro Tour.
• Grand Prix Trials will award two-round byes rather than three.

These changes are small and straightforward, but will have a significant impact on higher levels of play. Grand Prix attendance has been hovering around 2,000 players, and that means very long tournaments, and tight competition for Pro Points and Pro Tour invitations. These changes will shorten the tournaments and provide players a little more leeway to lose matches over the course of a tournament and still be in the running for prizes and invitations.

Finally, the PTQ Seasons and Pro Tour locations have been announced, and there will be a significant increase in the number of PTQs being run in various geographical regions. There will be an additional 161 PTQs run per year. 87 in the United States and Canada, 45 in Europe, 14 in Asia Pacific, 10 in Central and Southern America, and 5 in Japan. Now how about the PTQ seasons and Pro Tour Locations:

For further information and clarification, head over to Helene Bergeot's official announcement of these changes on DailyMTG.com.