CALL OF DUTY
CHALLENGERS
The official path for amateur players who want to go pro. Think of it as the minor leagues for competitive COD—prove yourself here and get signed to a CDL franchise team.
NEW FOR 2025-2026
Challengers has been completely overhauled with more events, bigger prize pools, and better exposure than ever before.
CHALLENGERS vs CDL
| Feature | Challengers | CDL |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Open to anyone 18+ | Franchise teams only |
| Teams | Hundreds of amateur teams | 12 franchise teams |
| Format | Cups, Elite leagues, Open LANs | Major tournaments |
| Prize Pools | $2,500/cup, $57,000/Elite stage | Millions total |
| Purpose | Prove yourself, earn points | Professional competition |
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2025-2026
COMPETING REGIONS
• North America
• Largest region
• Europe + Middle East
• MENA added
• Asia Pacific
• Growing scene
• Latin America
• Developing region
SEASON STRUCTURE
• In-person at CDL Majors
• Qualified teams
• Season-long league (4 stages)
• Top 12 teams per region
• Weekly online tournaments
• Any team (open entry)
COMPETITION FLOW
- 01Challengers Cups: Weekly online events, open registration, earn Challengers Points
- 02Challengers Elite Qualifiers: Top point earners compete for Elite spots
- 03Challengers Elite: 12-team league with round-robin groups into double-elim playoffs
- 04Challengers Open: LAN events at every CDL Major
PRO TIP: Start with Cups to build your points and reputation. Consistent Top 8 finishes will put you on the path to Elite qualification.
PATH TO CDL
Challengers and the CDL work together as a talent pipeline. The best Challengers players get noticed by CDL scouts and can be signed to franchise rosters.