CDL 2026: Black Ops 7, New Format, Schedule & Teams
The competitive Call of Duty scene is buzzing as Activision officially pulls back the curtain on the Call of Duty League (CDL) 2026 season! Fans can brace themselves for an electrifying year of top-tier esports, featuring the highly anticipated Black Ops 7, a revamped competitive format, and the return of 12 formidable franchised teams. With defending champions OpTic Texas eyeing a historic three-peat and a brand-new game mode shaking up the meta, the CDL 2026 is poised to be an unforgettable chapter in competitive gaming history.
The Road to Championship Glory: CDL 2026 Schedule Revealed
Mark your calendars, Call of Duty esports enthusiasts! The CDL 2026 season kicks off officially on December 5, 2025, with the regular season running through June 28, 2026. This packed schedule includes a four-stage season, intense online qualifiers, and a series of international Major and Minor tournaments, all contributing crucial CDL points towards qualification for the ultimate showdown.
Here's a breakdown of the key dates:
- Opening Weekend: December 5 to 7, 2025
- Major I (OpTic Texas, Dallas, TX): January 29 to February 1, 2026
- Major II (DreamHack, Birmingham or London, UK): March 27 to 29, 2026
- Minor I: April 24 to 26, 2026
- Major III (Atlanta, GA): May 2026
- Minor II: June 5 to 7, 2026
- Major IV (Paris, France): June 25 to 28, 2026
The stakes are incredibly high, as the top eight teams accumulating the most CDL Points throughout the season will earn their coveted spots at the Call of Duty League Championship 2026, slated for July 16 to 19.
Meet the Elite: All 12 Franchised CDL 2026 Teams
A dozen powerhouse organizations will battle for supremacy in the 2026 Call of Duty League. This city-based franchised structure continues, predominantly featuring North American representatives, with a notable expansion to the Middle East with the Riyadh Falcons. All eyes will undoubtedly be on OpTic Texas, who enter the season as formidable back-to-back world champions from 2024 and 2025, having already dominated the initial Black Ops 7 tournament, the Monster Launch Invitational.
The confirmed CDL 2026 teams are:
- Boston Breach
- Carolina Royal Ravens
- Cloud9 New York
- FaZe Vegas
- G2 Minnesota
- Los Angeles Thieves
- Miami Heretics
- OpTic Texas
- Paris Gentle Mates
- Riyadh Falcons
- Toronto KOI
- Vancouver Surge
Competitive Overhaul: Black Ops 7, 4v4, and New Modes
The Call of Duty League 2026 will maintain its intense 4v4 competitive format, ensuring fast-paced action. Matches will be structured as best-of-five map series across three core game modes: Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and the exciting new addition, Overload. This fresh mode will replace Control in the competitive rotation for Black Ops 7, promising new strategies and thrilling gameplay. The league will utilize specific map rotations tailored for each stage of the season, further enhancing the strategic depth.
How to Catch All the CDL 2026 Action Live
Don't miss a single moment of the high-octane Call of Duty League 2026! Fans can tune into all the live competitive play on the official CDL Twitch channel. As an added bonus, make sure to link your accounts for the chance to earn exclusive Twitch drops during the electrifying opening weekend. Get ready to witness the pros dominate Black Ops 7!