This guide is fully dedicated to Call of Duty esports. Before continuing, let us remind you of several pieces we’ve made: “Current Meta Review in Warzone 2: Best Loadouts” or “How to Level Up Guns Quickly in Warzone 2?” As you can see, we cover a wide range of Call of Duty topics.
We compiled all major Call of Duty esports events in 2025, so you won’t miss any key tournaments. All key dates and formats are compiled in one place, so there’s no need to search elsewhere. It also highlights the top players and teams to watch, giving insight into who’s shaping the competitive scene.
We also break down key storylines, giving insight into what’s shaping the 2025 season. Stay locked in—this is going to be an incredible year for Call of Duty esports.
Contents
- 1 Highlights
- 2 Call of Duty Tournaments 2025 – Quick Table
- 3 2025 Tournaments in Detail
- 4 Esports World Cup – Warzone
- 5 Tournament Overview
- 6 Top Teams Expected
- 7 Storylines to Watch
- 8 World Series of Warzone (WSOW)
- 9 Tournament Overview
- 10 Top Teams Expected
- 11 Storylines to Watch
- 12 CDL Warzone Majors – Special Events
- 13 Storylines to Watch
- 14 Elite Gaming League Warzone Invitational
- 15 Storylines to Watch
- 16 Call of Duty Challengers 2025
- 17 What is Challengers?
- 18 Challengers 2025 – Key Events
- 19 How Teams Qualify for Challengers Finals
- 20 Why Challengers 2025 Matters
- 21 Top 5 Warzone Players to Watch in 2025
Highlights
- Schedule of upcoming tournaments of 2025
- Easy tables highlighting places, dates, and participants
- Questions to see answered – why that exact event is worth watching
- Additional: Top-5 Call of Duty Warzone Players, so you’d know whom to watch
Call of Duty Tournaments 2025 – Quick Table
| Tournament | Date | Location | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL Major I – Toronto Ultra | Dec 6, 2024 – Feb 2, 2025 | Madrid, Spain | CDL |
| CDL Major II – OpTic Texas | Feb 14 – Mar 23, 2025 | Dallas, Texas | CDL |
| CDL Major III – Miami Heretics | Apr 4 – Apr 27, 2025 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | CDL |
| CDL Major IV – TBA | May 23 – May 25, 2025 | TBA | CDL |
| CDL Championship 2025 | Jul 1, 2025 | Toronto, Canada | CDL |
| Esports World Cup – Warzone | Jul 3-6, 2025 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Warzone |
| World Series of Warzone (WSOW) | Mid-2025 (Exact date TBA) | Likely NA/EU | Warzone |
| Elite Gaming League (EGL) Warzone Invitationals | Monthly (Ongoing) | Online | Warzone |
| Challengers Dallas Open | Mar 21 – Mar 23, 2025 | Dallas, Texas | Challengers |
| Challengers Miami Open | Apr 25 – Apr 27, 2025 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Challengers |
2025 Tournaments in Detail
Esports World Cup – Warzone
| Date | Location | Prize Pool | Format |
| July 3-6, 2025 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Estimated $1M+ | Resurgence Mode – Group Stage + Finals |
Tournament Overview
The Esports World Cup (EWC) is the crown jewel of Warzone esports, bringing together 21 of the best teams worldwide. The tournament uses the Resurgence format, meaning players can respawn for a limited time before elimination becomes permanent—which creates non-stop action and aggressive fights.
Top Teams Expected
| Team | Notable Players | Strengths |
| Team Falcons | Biffle, Sage, Shifty | Best fraggers in Warzone, relentless aggression |
| FNATIC | Fifakill, WarsZ | Precise teamwork, high-level positioning |
| Cloud9 | Skullface, Hisoka | Quick decision-making, creative play |
| Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) | ZSmit, Mayappo | Strong clutch potential, methodical rotations |
| Team Vitality | Torinn, Jukeyz | Adaptable playstyle, dangerous in late game |
Storylines to Watch
- Can Team Falcons Go Back-to-Back?
- Team Falcons won the 2024 Esports World Cup, cementing themselves as the best Warzone team in the world. But can they handle the pressure of being the hunted?
- Biffle remains the most feared player in the game—will he dominate again?
- New teams have studied their strategies for months. Will someone finally crack the code?
- Europe vs. North America: The War Continues
- European teams like FNATIC and Vitality have been closing the gap on NA dominance in Warzone.
- Historically, North American players have had better gun skill, but Europe is catching up in strategy and teamwork.
- A Europe-first victory at EWC would mark a massive shift in competitive Warzone.
- Dark Horse Teams – Who Shocks the World?
- Every year, an underdog squad breaks through. Could 2025’s Cinderella team be Gaimin Gladiators or Team Abwizz?
- New up-and-coming players can explode onto the scene with a breakout performance.
World Series of Warzone (WSOW)
| Date | Location | Prize Pool | Format |
| TBA (Mid-2025) | Likely North America or Europe | Expected $1.2M+ | Traditional BR (Trios) |
Tournament Overview
WSOW is Warzone’s most competitive tournament and a pure test of gun skill, game sense, and clutch ability. Unlike EWC’s Resurgence mode, WSOW uses classic Battle Royale rules—once you’re out, you’re out.
Top Teams Expected
| Team | Notable Players | Strengths |
| OpTic Texas Warzone | Scump, JoeWo | Smart rotations, elite gunplay |
| Atlanta FaZe | aBeZy, Simp | Aggressive and unpredictable |
| New York Subliners | HusKerrs, UnRational | High-kill duo, excellent chemistry |
| Gaimin Gladiators | Stukawaki, Braalik | Underdog team, strong tournament runs |
| Oxygen Esports | Breadman, Mutex | Tactical play, good positioning |
Storylines to Watch
- Who Claims the Title of Best Warzone Trio?
- WSOW is THE tournament for pure Warzone skill, where no second chances exist.
- The format means the best trio—not just the best solo player—will win.
- Will OpTic Finally Win a Major Warzone Tournament?
- OpTic Texas has won everything in Call of Duty multiplayer, but Warzone success has eluded them.
- With Scump leading the charge, is 2025 the year OpTic takes the crown?
- Does an Open Qualifier Team Stand a Chance?
- WSOW allows unknown teams to qualify, and every year, one surprise squad shakes up the brackets.
- Could 2025 bring the biggest underdog victory in Warzone history?
CDL Warzone Majors – Special Events
CDL Standings post Major I (CDL 2025) – Reddit
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| CDL Major IV | May 23-25, 2025 | DreamHack Dallas – Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, TX |
- For the first time, a CDL Major will be held at DreamHack, bringing competitive Call of Duty to one of the biggest gaming festivals in North America.
- Fans attending DreamHack Dallas will have the opportunity to watch CDL matches live and enjoy the festival’s esports and gaming events.
- Challengers Open will also take place at DreamHack Dallas, featuring a $100,000 prize pool and a chance for amateur teams to qualify for the Challengers Finals.
Storylines to Watch
- Can CDL Pros Hang in Warzone?
- CDL players are some of the best in FPS history, but Warzone is a different beast.
- Players like Shotzzy, Envoy, and Simp have mechanical skill, but will they master rotations?
- Will This Lead to a CDL Warzone League?
- If Warzone continues to gain viewership, could Activision launch a franchise-based Warzone League?
- Success in 2025 could shape Warzone’s long-term esports future.
Elite Gaming League Warzone Invitational
| Date | Location | Prize Pool | Format |
| Monthly (Online) | Online | $10K – $50K per event | Duos or Trios BR |
Storylines to Watch
- Which Up-and-Comers Will Make a Name for Themselves?
- EGL is where unknown talent gets noticed.
- Past EGL stars have gone on to compete in WSOW and EWC.
- Does a New Meta Dominate in 2025?
- EGL’s frequent events make it the best place to see how the Warzone meta evolves.
Call of Duty Challengers 2025
What is Challengers?
Call of Duty Challengers is the official amateur and semi-pro circuit, giving rising players a chance to compete, earn points, and qualify for the CDL or major international events. The 2025 season features multiple Open tournaments, a Finals event, and a path to the Esports World Cup.
Challengers 2025 – Key Events
| Tournament | Date | Location | Prize Pool |
| Challengers Dallas Open | Mar 21 – Mar 23, 2025 | Dallas, Texas | $100,000 |
| Challengers Miami Open | Apr 25 – Apr 27, 2025 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | $100,000 |
| Challengers Finals | TBA | During CDL Champs Weekend | $250,000 |
- Top 2 teams from the DreamHack Dallas Challengers Open qualify directly for the Challengers Finals.
- The Challengers Finals winner earns a spot at the Esports World Cup, where they’ll face CDL pro teams for a share of the $1.8M prize pool.
Call of Duty Challengers Elite 2025 begins TODAY. Here’s – Reddit
How Teams Qualify for Challengers Finals
| Qualification Method | Teams Qualified |
| DreamHack Dallas Open (Top 2 Teams) | 2 Teams |
| Regional Leaderboards (NA, EU, APAC, LATAM) | 10 Teams |
| Last Chance Qualifier (1 per region: NA, EU, APAC, LATAM) | 4 Teams |
Why Challengers 2025 Matters
- Direct Path to the CDL – Many former Challengers players are now CDL stars, including Sib, Asim, and Nero.
- Esports World Cup Impact – The best amateur teams will compete alongside CDL pros in one of the biggest CoD events ever.
- Regional Representation – APAC and LATAM teams have more qualification spots than ever, making 2025 one of the most global seasons yet.
Top 5 Warzone Players to Watch in 2025
These five players are shaping Warzone’s competitive scene in 2025. If you want to see:
- Raw dominance? Watch Biffle
- Smartest plays? Watch Fifakill
- Insane clutches? Watch Skullface
- Fastest, most aggressive playstyle? Watch Sage
- The next big breakout? Watch Mayappo
Who is the best Warzone player heading into 2025?
Biffle (Team Falcons)
Past Achievements:
- Esports World Cup 2024 Champion (MVP)
- Multiple WSOW top finishes
- Dominated NA Warzone for three years
Playstyle:
- Hyper-aggressive with insane movement mechanics
- Always takes fights—never afraid to push squads
- Solo-carries games with raw gun skill
Why He’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
- Still the king of Warzone—everyone wants to dethrone him
- Team Falcons are favorites to win EWC 2025
- If Biffle is in a 1v3, he’s still the favorite to win
Who is the best strategic player in Warzone?
Fifakill (FNATIC)
Past Achievements:
- WSOW 2023 Champion
- Top 3 in multiple Esports World Cup events
- Most consistent EU Warzone player
Playstyle:
- Calculated and methodical—makes the smartest plays
- Prefers positioning over raw gunfights
- Deadly sniper—can punish teams before they even fight
Why He’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
- Watch him to see Warzone played at a high-IQ level
- FNATIC is stacked this year—could be Europe’s best chance to take EWC
- If anyone can outthink Biffle and the NA playstyle, it’s Fifakill
Who is the best clutch player in Warzone?
Skullface (Cloud9)
Past Achievements:
- WSOW 2024 Runner-Up
- Known for clutching 1vX scenarios at high stakes
- Multiple EGL Warzone Invitational wins
Playstyle:
- Clutch god—never count him out
- Fastest reaction time in Warzone
- Prefers to take multiple 1v1s instead of team fights
Why He’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
- Warzone’s most unpredictable player—impossible to read in fights
- If it’s a 1v4 and Skullface is alive, you better watch
- Cloud9 has a stronger roster than ever—could finally get that WSOW win
Who is the most aggressive player in the game?
Sage (Team Falcons)
Past Achievements:
- Top 3 at multiple Esports World Cups
- One of the highest K/D ratios in pro Warzone
- Best close-range fighter in the game
Playstyle:
- Never stops pushing—plays with full confidence
- Best SMG mechanics in the pro scene
- Willing to take 1v2s and 1v3s to break teams apart
Why He’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
- A walking highlight reel—expect big plays
- If you love fast, high-kill gameplay, Sage is your guy
- Could be this year’s MVP if Falcons win again
Who is the best upcoming player to watch?
Mayappo (Natus Vincere – Na’Vi)
Past Achievements:
- Breakout performance in WSOW 2024 (Top 5 finish)
- Ranked #1 in EU kill leaderboards multiple times
- Recently signed to Na’Vi—first year with a major org
Playstyle:
- Hyper-aggressive, but with strong positioning
- Can take over games in the late circles
- Always finds a way to get kills, even in tough spots
Why He’s a Must-Watch in 2025:
- If anyone is going to surprise the scene in 2025, it’s Mayappo
- Could be the next European Warzone superstar
- First time competing in Esports World Cup with a Tier 1 org
