The conclusion of the All-Star Pro Skills tournament marked the end of the 2020 CDL season and the beginning of a new chapter.
Fans voted for 32 players across all 12 CDL teams to compete in a 1v1 tournament. All games were played on the Gunfight game mode on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
Each match was a best of three series played in a single elimination format. A whopping $100,000 was up for grabs in the two day tournament and it was all streamed live on the Call of Duty League YouTube channel.
Big names from Chicago Huntsmen’s Seth “Scump” Abner to OpTic Gaming’s Austin “Slasher” Liddicoat all fought it out to claim the huge cash prize.
However, it was young-gun McArthur “Cellium” Jovel who took the crown representing Atlanta FaZe.
The grand final was a Champs rematch between FaZe and Dallas with Cellium facing James “Clayster” Eubanks. Cellium swept the series 2-0 and earned himself $15,000.
GGs @Clayster and everyone else I played the last two days. Won the @MetroByTMobile All-Star Pro Skills Tournament! Happy to finish the MW season on a high note! #ATLUp
Now, Activision have revealed even more changes to be put in place this year. An announcement on the CDL website stated: ” Today, the League is announcing it will move pro team competition to PC + Controller beginning with the 2021 season.
“This means that all pro matches will be played on PC and all pro players must use a League-approved controller of their choice.”
This change to PC and controller was an expected change that had been rumoured for some time. Alongside this, CDL Challengers competitors will be able to play cross-platform on online Challengers events. All LAN events, however, will be played on PC.
Rostermania is in full swing as multiple franchises are choosing to release players from their squad. With some entire rosters being dropped, this has become the most interesting rostermania to date.
The recent announcement of a revert to 4v4 rosters shocked the community. When CDL 2020 champions Dallas Empire dropped Clayster, it marked the beginning of the biggest reshuffling in Call of Duty history.
Franchises have been ruthless in their decision making and more players seem to be getting dropped every day.
From entire CDL rosters to world champions, let’s take a look at all of the official changes that have happened so far.
Clayster and Jurd are the first to go
On September 1, Empire’s Clayster and Royal Ravens’ Jurd were both made free agents.
Clayster, just days before, had won the CDL Championship and the news of his release annoyed not only the fans but of course Clayster himself.
It seems that Clayster’s luck with rosters continues to haunt him as he often draws the short straw. However, with a stock as high as his he should have no trouble finding a new home.
I totally understand a numbers/biz standpoint, but it feels really cold to me to win a World Championship for a team and have them force my team option so they can sell me for a buyout instead of letting me walk for free. I know Stro doesn't want that, but man investors stink :/
Seattle Surge dropped six players from their roster on September 4. Toronto Ultra then followed suit and dropped six of their own. It will be interesting to see who they pick up for next season.
You helped us start our journey and we are excited to see where yours takes you next.
With heavy hearts, we say bye to some of our fellow teammates for the 2021 @CODLeague season. Thank you to this squad, you will forever be #SooUltra 💜
A huge total of 24 players were dropped from their franchises on September 8. The exciting announcements kept rolling in but these players were sadly left out of a job.
Here is a full list of all 24 players that were released on Wednesday:
Accuracy: New York Subliners
Censor: New York Subliners
Happy: New York Subliners
Thomas ‘Tommey’ Trewren: Dallas Empire
Dashy: LA OpTic
Goonjar: LA OpTic
Chino: LA OpTic
Hollow: LA OpTic
Arcitys: Chicago Huntsmen
Prestinni: Chicago Huntsmen
Skrapz: London Royal Ravens
Zer0: London Royal Ravens
Dylan: London Royal Ravens
Rated: London Royal Ravens
wuskin: London Royal Ravens
Nastie: London Royal Ravens
MadCat: London Royal Ravens
Denz: Paris Legion
Louqa: Paris Legion
Shockz: Paris Legion
Zed: Paris Legion
Breszy: Paris Legion
Phantoms: Paris Legion
2Pac_ThuGLorD: Chicago Huntsmen (Analyst)
The free agency window opens on Septmeber 13 so expect some big announcements coming soon.
Only one day after the first CDL champions were crowned, the league has revealed a huge change for next year. Roster sizes will be changed from five players a team back to the traditional four and it has caused mixed reactions.
The Call of Duty League posted a tweet with the caption “Season 2 Intel”. It begins with the new CoD title ‘Black Ops: Cold War’ and goes on to reveal the new roster sizes for next year.
This information was also shared on the CDL’s website with an explanation on how the change came about.
The league’s comissioner, Johanna Faries, said: “With a new season comes new announcements across many fronts.
“Today we shared that we will be transitioning to starting roster sizes of four players per team for Season 2, marking a kind of ‘return to our roots’. This decision was made in close collaboration with our teams and players, and it was not made lightly. “
Call of Duty professionals and other personalities had a lot to say about the new change.
Now three-time world champion, Clayster, was positive about the change but feels that the changes before the first season began.
Don't get me wrong, CoD is far more tactical and easier to watch in 4v4. I think 4v4 is far better than 5v5. They should've made this change when every player was a F/A and was building rosters like, iunno, before this fuckin year? Why make teams build like this just to revert?
This change to 4v4 will see great rosters like champions Dallas Empire, Atlanta FaZe and Chicago Huntsmen all have to split up. Rostermania will be one of the most exciting ones yet heading into the new season.
With all the new free agents that will become available, it is only sensible to believe that the CDL will be expanding next year with potentially more teams.
Despite the season coming to a close, it is not yet finished. The CDL All Star Weekend will take place on 12-13th September.
September 14th will mark the official beginning of the 2021 Call of Duty League season.
What do you think about the change in roster sizes?
Day two of the CDL Playoffs 2020 have finished and two more teams advance further in the tournament. However, the biggest talking point has been certain pro players being booted offline during the matches.
In day one of the CDL Playoffs, drama ensued after pros being hit offline during crucial points in the game. Because of the current CDL rules, the matches cannot be restarted which has caused widespread discontent among the professional community.
OpTic Gaming player, Kenny, was booted offline in yesterday’s matches which resulted in OpTic bringing in a substitute. His teammate, Slasher, was extremely vocal on social media about the issue and believes the tournament “needed to be postponed”.
I tried to tell you guys it needed to be postponed.. can’t just have the tournament just to have it when it’s this unfair.
London Royal Ravens player, Zer0, experienced the same issues on day two. Ravens then went on to lose the match and fall to the losers bracket.
Slasher and Zer0 are only two among many that are outraged by the current situation. Zer0 branded the league “brainless” in a rage-fuelled tweet after the series loss.
I dont give a fuck about a fine or anything, there is 0 chance the tournament can fucking go ahead, you have allowed a 4.6 million dollar tournament to go ahead ONLINE, with a 100k prize to someone WHO PREDICTS A BRACKET RIGHT, fucking brainless im sorry.
Despite the infuriating online issues, the tournament must go on. London Royal Ravens and Minnesota Rokkr were knocked into the losers bracket. Meanwhile, New York Subliners and Toronto Ultra advance in winners bracket.
Ultra clinch the win against Royal Ravens
Toronto Ultra began the series strongly and took the 1-0 lead after winning the Hardpoint. However, Royal Ravens put up a fight and took the S&D 6-3.
Ultra then won the third map and a controversial fourth map to close out the win. Zer0 was booted offline during the second Hardpoint which undoubtedly tilted the odds in Ultra’s favour.
Toronto now move on to winners round two whilst Royal Ravens drop to losers bracket which makes their job a lot tougher.
Subliners stun the Rokkr
New York Subliners have had an extremely up and down season. They came out hot against Minnesota and put themselves 1-0 up.
Exceed and Assault then stole the show in the S&D as Minnesota levelled it at 1-1.
The Subliners then closed out the series 3-1 and sent Minnesota down to the losers bracket.
After a shaky couple of days for the CDL, things sadly don’t look like they are going to change. With $4.6 million on the line, the players are growing evermore frustrated with the current situation.
The 2020 Call of Duty League season is nearly over. We’ve detailed everything you need to know ahead of the final event of the year.
After a turbulent inaugural season, the Call of Duty League is ready to award its first champions. All 12 teams will compete in playoffs for a chance to play at the Championship Weekend where the winners will be crowned.
Despite the event being played online, all teams will be giving it their all under the fairest circumstances possible.
How to watch Call of Duty League Championship 2020
The much-anticipated finale of the CDL season will begin with playoffs on August 19th. These matches will be played through to August 23rd with the best teams advancing to the Championship Weekend.
All four teams that make it to the Championship Weekend will play on August 29th and 30th.
Matches will be available to watch as usual on the official CDL YouTube channel. All streams are scheduled on the channel so make sure to set reminders for each day of the tournament.
Format & schedule
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, CoD Champs will be played online for the first time in its history. Teams already have experience of this as the rule was imposed midway through this season.
The CDL points accrued by the teams play a big part in their playoffs advantage. The higher seeded the team is, the less games they will need to win to make it to the finals.
Below you can find the official schedule for CDL Playoffs as well as the full bracket showing each teams starting point.
The finale of the CDL season is just under two weeks away. With the CDL playoffs bracket all set, let’s take a look at which teams stand the best chance of taking home the ultimate prize – the CDL Championship.
Atlanta FaZe proved their dominance from the outset as they won their home series back in February. The young squad racked up an impressive 280 CDL points this year, placing them at the top of the standings. Being the number one seed, Atlanta FaZe will only have to win two games to make it to the final. With their strong form this season and impressive individual talent, it will take some doing to stop this lot taking home the trophy.
Player to watch: Cellium
Chicago Huntsmen
The Huntsmen came out victorious in the first proper home series of the season, CDL London. On paper, Chicago looked to be favourites to take the league by storm and take number one seed. However, due to some dips in form and a slight roster change, Huntsmen are placed in joint third with 230 CDL points. They will need to win four games to make it to the final, and if they turn up, the chances are you’ll be seeing them on Championship Sunday.
Player to watch: Prestinni
Dallas Empire
Second seed, Dallas Empire, start their playoff run in the same position as FaZe. They will only need to win two games to make it to the final after earning a total of 260 CDL points. The boys on Dallas won three events this year and seem to be going from strength to strength. As they start in a strong position, it’s hard to imagine them not going all the way to the final.
In a late run of form, Florida Mutineers won three events this season. They sit in third place in the standings, needing to win three games to make it to the championship final. With a heap of raw talent throughout the squad, Florida are definitely ones to look out for in playoffs.
Player to watch: Skyz
London Royal Ravens
The Royal Ravens have had quite the up and down season. One event they seemed the best in the game and the next the complete opposite. They finished the 2020 season in sixth place with 120 CDL points. This places them in winners bracket for playoffs where they will face Toronto Ultra in round one. After coming so close in regular season, it will be interesting to see if they can finally clutch up when it matters most.
Player to watch: Wuskin
Los Angeles Guerillas
Los Angeles Guerillas were a team with so much potential yet nothing to show for it. They placed rock bottom of the standings giving them the twelfth seed in the playoff bracket. Guerillas will start in the losers bracket and will have the toughest run in the playoffs as a result of their poor regular season performance. However, anything can happen at CoD Champs and a surprise run for the Guerillas might not be as impossible as it seems.
Player to watch: Decemate
Los Angeles OpTic Gaming
OpTic Gaming proved to be the better team in Los Angeles but also underperformed massively. They finished the season in ninth place with 100 CDL points and will start in the losers bracket in playoffs. After two huge roster changes, OpTic Gaming still haven’t found their groove. Although they face the hardest route to the final, they have a good chance of making it far in the bracket.
Player to watch: Slasher
Minnesota Rokkr
Minnesota are among three teams that sit on 120 CDL points. This places them in the winners bracket for playoffs, which gives them a much better chance of making a run. Minnesota have proved at times that they can outperform most teams in the league. They have a solid team consisting of Alexx, Asim, Assault, Exceed and SiLLY. Facing New York Subliners in the first round, they will look to cause some upsets later in the bracket.
Player to watch: Asim
New York Subliners
New York Subliners fought their way to fifth place in the standings after earning 140 CDL points throughout the season. They managed to win their home series event which gave them the boost they needed to secure a winners bracket position heading into playoffs. With their form being up and down through the year, we may see New York cause chaos or blow out early.
Player to watch: Mack
Paris Legion
Despite a couple of higher placings, Paris Legion finished in tenth place with 100 CDL points. They will start their playoff journey in the losers bracket meaning they must remain unbeaten if they wish to stand a chance. The player quality is certainly not lacking in the Paris roster, however, they need to find some team synergy in order to really pack a punch at playoffs.
Player to watch: Louqa
Seattle Surge
Seattle had all the makings of a top three team at the start of the year. The three time world champion, Karma, was on their side, however, the squad just couldn’t find their form. Surge placed joint last in the standings and will have a difficult run in playoffs. It is hard to see them doing well with their current run of form.
Toronto Ultra
Toronto Ultra will start in winners bracket and face the Royal Ravens in round one. After winning the final home series of the season, they will look to continue their good form into playoffs and cause some upsets. As champs will be played online for the first time ever, anything could happen. Players may be unhappy with the online format, but we will undoubtedly see some outstanding Call of Duty.
