The start of a new era of Call of Duty esports is just a few weeks away. 12 franchises will do battle for the lion's share of $6 million in prize money over the course of the season.
In this article, find out all the information that you need to know surrounding the 2020 Call of Duty league!
The Teams
The switch to a city-based franchising model now means that there will be 12 franchise teams competing in the first season of the CDL. Below you can see which teams will be competing!
The Format
Until late December 2019, the format of the CDL was going to be similar to the NFL, teams would compete in league games during the regular season at each home series event to earn points.
These points will determine their position in the league table and ultimately decide the top eight teams that will make it into the playoffs.
Tournament Based Play
Beginning in London on February 8th, the home series events will feature eight teams competing in a tournament rather than just regular league matches.
The teams in attendance will be split into two groups of four. Using the GSL format, teams will battle it out until two teams in each group have won two games. The four teams will then advance into a single-elimination bracket where they will compete to become winners of the event.
Points Breakdown
CDL points are earned through two ways in the league. The top six teams earn points with the winners of each event receiving 10 bonus points respectively. Teams will also earn 10 points for each match they win.
- 1st - 50 Points + 10 bonus points
- 2nd - 30 Points
- 3rd/4th - 20 Points
- 5th/6th - 10 Points
- 7th/8th - 0 Points
The Playoffs
Once the regular season has concluded, the top eight teams in the league table will qualify for the playoffs.
Four wildcard teams will also make it into the playoffs. They will compete in a single-elimination bracket to decide two teams that will join the eight that have already qualified.
The two wildcards will play the third and fourth seeds to begin a double-elimination bracket.
The top two seeds will receive first-round byes.
The two remaining teams will battle out to be crowned the first Call of Duty League champions.
Event Schedule
Below is a full schedule events for the upcoming season:
- CALL OF DUTY LEAGUE LAUNCH WEEKEND | MINNESOTA RØKKR - WEEK 1 (24th-26th January)
- LONDON ROYAL RAVENS - WEEK 2 (8th-9th February)
- ATLANTA FAZE - WEEK 3 (22nd-23rd February)
- PARIS LEGION - WEEK 4 (29th February-1st March)
- LOS ANGELES GUERRILLAS & OPTIC GAMING LA - WEEK 5 (6th-8th March)
- NEW YORK SUBLINERS - WEEK 6 (14th-15th March)
- TORONTO ULTRA - WEEK 7 (21st-22nd March)
- DALLAS EMPIRE - WEEK 8 (28th-29th March)
- CHICAGO HUNTSMEN - WEEK 9 (4th-5th April)
- FLORIDA MUTINEERS - WEEK 10 (11th-12th April)
- SEATTLE SURGE - WEEK 11 (18th-19th April)
- CALL OF DUTY LEAGUE MIDSEASON WEEKEND (TBC)
- MINNESOTA RØKKR - WEEK 12 (9th-10th May)
- PARIS LEGION - WEEK 13 (16th-17th May)
- SEATTLE SURGE - WEEK 14 (24rd-24th May)
- ATLANTA FAZE - WEEK 15 (30th-31st May)
- NEW YORK SUBLINERS - WEEK 16 (6th-7th June)
- LOS ANGELES GUERRILLAS & OPTIC GAMING LA - WEEK 17 (12th14th June)
- LONDON ROYAL RAVENS - WEEK 18 (20th-21st June)
- CHICAGO HUNTSMEN - WEEK 19 (27th-28th June)
- DALLAS EMPIRE - WEEK 20 (4th-5th July)
- TORONTO ULTRA - WEEK 21 (18th-19th July)
- FLORIDA MUTINEERS - WEEK 22 (25th-26th July)
- CALL OF DUTY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND (TBC)
Maps and Modes
Unlike casual Call of Duty, CoD esports is played on a limited selection of maps that have been deemed viable for competitive play. These maps will be played across three game modes - Domination (DOM) Hardpoint (HP) and Search & Destroy (S&D).
The Maps
- Azhir Cave - HP and S&D
- Arklov Peak - HP and S&D
- Gun Runner - HP, DOM and S&D
- Hackney Yard - HP, DOM and S&D
- Piccadilly - S&D
- Rammaza - HP, DOM and S&D
- St. Petrograd - HP, DOM and S&D
The Modes
Each of the three modes are completely different from each other, meaning teams must master three unique game modes to be the best.
Domination
There are three flags located around the map. Teams must gain control of these flags to build up points. Teams earn one point for control of one flag, two points for two flags and three points for all three flags in their control. The team with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner!
Hardpoint
Hardpoint is a take of king of the hill. Teams must control a specific hill of the map to earn points. Locations of the hardpoint move every 60 seconds so it's important to rotate early to get the most points.
The first team to reach 250 points wins the game.
Search & Destroy
Unlike the other two game modes, S&D is a single-life game mode and offers a lot more room for strategy and tactical play. One team must defend two bombsites while the attacking team must plant the bomb.
The team to win six rounds, wins the game. Expect lots of incredible clutches and unmatched team cohesion in this mode!
In this article, find out everything you need to know about the brand-new points system that has been introduced for the inaugural season of the Call of Duty League.
