Look Sports Media – The highly anticipated bracket for the inaugural Call of Duty League (CDL) Major of the 2026 season has been unveiled, setting the stage for a thrilling Black Ops 7 competition. Commencing on January 29th, the elite 12-team tournament descends upon Dallas, Texas, promising four days of high-stakes action following a fiercely contested online Qualifier that determined seeding.
Beyond the immediate spectacle in Dallas, the CDL continues its global expansion. Major II is slated for DreamHack Birmingham from March 27-29, signaling the league’s commitment to hosting more events outside the United States. The 2026 season boasts an impressive international footprint, with tournaments planned across the UK, France, and Saudi Arabia, including a significant presence at the prestigious EWC 2026.
The online Qualifier proved to be a crucible, shaping the narratives heading into Major I. Paris Gentle Mates asserted their dominance, clinching the top seed with an impressive 5-2 match record and a 18-11 map differential. Their reward? An opening upper-bracket clash against Toronto KOI, who scraped through with a 3-4 record. Joining Paris at the summit with identical 5-2 records were Carolina Royal Ravens, FaZe Vegas, and Riyadh Falcons. Notably, FaZe Vegas and Riyadh Falcons showcased formidable form, validating their recent relocations from Atlanta and Las Vegas, respectively.
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However, not all titans sailed smoothly. OpTic Texas, despite their championship pedigree from the CDL Championship and EWC victories in late 2025, concluded the Qualifier with a somewhat underwhelming 4-3 record. The signing of Mason ‘Mercules’ Ramsey had been pivotal in transforming their 2025 season after a challenging start, leading to expectations of continued dominance in 2026. Yet, inconsistency has plagued their early campaign. While their 4-3 standing secures an upper-bracket berth, it sets them on a challenging trajectory, potentially pitting them against formidable opponents like the Riyadh Falcons and FaZe Vegas early on – a path home fans in Texas might find daunting.
Further down the standings, Miami Heretics, Boston Breach, Cloud9 New York, and Vancouver Surge find themselves seeded directly into the elimination bracket. The Heretics and Breach, both finishing 3-4, will feel a sting of misfortune, having missed the upper bracket solely on map differential against G2 Minnesota and Toronto KOI. In stark contrast, Cloud9 New York and Vancouver Surge endured a dismal Qualifier, posting identical 1-6 records. These teams face an immediate uphill battle, marking them as the clear underperformers of the CDL 2026 season thus far.
The Call of Duty Major I is scheduled to run from January 29th to February 1st. A substantial prize pool of $365,000 awaits competitors, with the champions claiming a hefty $150,000. Beyond monetary rewards, teams will also vie for crucial CDL Points, which are paramount for qualification. The top eight teams by CDL points following Major IV will secure their coveted spots in the Call of Duty Championship in July. Points for Major I are distributed generously, ranging from 65 points for the first-place team down to 10 points for those finishing 9th-12th, emphasizing the importance of every match.
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