The Call of Duty League is shaping up for the Black Ops 7 season, bidding farewell to a divisive Black Ops 6 sprint that might have been quite forgettable if it weren’t for the monumental ending. The season just gone saw OpTic Texas secure an incredible back-to-back Champs win, then waltz into Riyadh and snatch the Esports World Cup trophy for good measure.
In 2026, the Call of Duty League promises to be a bigger beast entirely, with many teams undergoing a rebrand and making some of the most drastic roster changes in years. I’ve got it on good credit from sources close to the Call of Duty League that in 2026, we’ll get another European Major, and finally, a return to the United Kingdom.
Call of Duty League Comes to the UK?
In 2020, the Call of Duty League (then freshly created) came to London’s Copperbox Arena for a smaller LAN event that marked the final time a core Call of Duty esports experience (outside of Warzone) would land in the nation. Earlier this year, the Call of Duty League dropped in on Madrid for a landmark EU Major tournament that turned heads.
The CDL’s leadership team has recognized the value in European events and will be returning to the region in 2026, taking the Call of Duty League to Paris for a later Major tournament, likely the last stop before COD Champs 2026. This is in recognition of the pulling power that Gentle Mates has had since entering the COD League with LAG M8.
My sources have also confirmed that the Call of Duty League will land in the United Kingdom as early as March 2026. This will be to host a full-fledged Major, but it’s almost guaranteed to be outside London and potentially further north. I’m working to lock in a location for this proposed event, but it’s looking like it could be Birmingham.
This is monumental news for Call of Duty League fans across the United Kingdom, who often feel starved when it comes to Call of Duty esports events and needing to travel so far to attend them.
I’ve also got it on good ground that the season opener will take place in Toronto (not Kitchener).
I’ll stress taking this information with caution for now, as while my sources are as close to the action as it gets, deals are still in flux and will remain so until the Call of Duty League makes announcements.
Stay tuned to Insider Gaming Esports for more, and don’t forget to stop by the Insider Gaming forum.
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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