It’s time for Call of Duty esports to return to an open ecosystem

Over the past decade, the Call of Duty esports scene has experienced a wealth of peaks and troughs as a result of format changes that have managed to gatekeep one of gaming’s most passionate communities. 

While the Call of Duty League (CDL) has slowly started showing signs of success, the return of an open ecosystem for Activision’s first-person shooter has the potential to elevate its esports circuit to even greater heights, and potentially place it among the likes of Counter-Strike and League of Legends as one of the world’s biggest esports titles. 

When Call of Duty transitioned to a franchised model, opportunities for amateur players quickly dried up despite Call of Duty Challengers providing a platform for aspiring talents to showcase their skills in online and LAN competitions. Despite this, the second tier of competition remains segregated from the CDL, leaving the next generation of players with only a handful of chances to compete on the big stage.

A healthier grassroots scene is essential if Call of Duty esports is to survive the next 10 years, and an open ecosystem with regional LAN tournaments and a clear pathway to the professional scene is the only way to achieve that.

Sure, Challengers has started producing a handful of standout performers who have received the call-up to the big leagues. But, for the majority of Challengers talent, the chances of earning a place on one of the 12 franchises are difficult if there are no plans for any roster changes to take place.   

An open Call of Duty esports ecosystem would enable amateur teams to compete against professionals more regularly, rather than a single Pro-Am event held once a year. Winners of Challengers tournaments should secure Majors qualification alongside powerhouse rosters.

Call of Duty esports thrives on storylines, and there’s no better story than when a team of relative unknowns manages to usurp the established names in front of a capacity crowd. It can get a bit boring to watch the same teams and the same players every time you turn on Twitch. Over in Dota 2, the pros have even expressed boredom with the state of Tier 1 tournaments.

When you can sorta predict the bracket, it’s not the most exciting, and making it easier for new teams and talent to shake it up is the key.

Call of Duty’s path to the big time begins in online Challengers tournaments. While it’s relatively straightforward for teams to compete, Activision is missing out on a huge portion of its player base that has little to no knowledge of esports. Ranked Play gives the community a taste of competitive play, but there’s nothing that bridges the gap between the in-game mode and the next rung on the competitive ladder.

Instead of looking to hold firm with the current structure, Call of Duty: Mobile holds the key to unify the PC and console scene. Call of Duty: Mobile uses its in-game competitive mode to help players qualify for Majors and the season-ending World Championship, creating a truly open pathway that allows anyone to earn the opportunity to compete in high-profile events.

The title’s competitive season typically begins with individuals competing in in-game qualifiers for a chance to advance to the next stage, where teams of four begin their journey toward potential championship glory. 

A similar structure that engages an entire community rather than keeping Challengers hidden away on FACEIT is a surefire way to cultivate even more undiscovered talents who could one day knock down the Green Wall and lift the championship trophy.

Having a more accessible ecosystem breaks down the sense of elitism and pay-to-play vibes of the franchise-model esports. The idea that anyone can get that kind of recognition and opportunity based on skill alone is very enticing.

The trend of major esports leagues moving from a closed to an open structure resurfaced in 2026, with the VALORANT Champions Tour opting to move away from league matches in favor of a tournament model that raises the stakes and gives teams across the ecosystem a chance to prove themselves.

Open qualifiers offer teams outside VALORANT’s partner program a chance to face off against notable names, introducing fans to new teams with the talent to compete alongside the world’s best. 

It’s not just more chances to compete in Cups, Masters, and Champions. Teams that aren’t part of the partner program also receive fixed payments that are tied to specific milestones, aimed at providing legitimate support for those who need it.

If a team makes it to Champions, they earn $400,000. Compared to Call of Duty, this structure promotes financial sustainability across the entire ecosystem instead of the CDL, which rarely offers any kind of financial incentives outside of tournament prize money, 

As debates over format adjustments and the closed ecosystem continue to divide opinions, the CDL can draw inspiration from its franchised model and the open structures of previous seasons to create the ultimate esports circuit.

The 12 franchises don’t have to lose out on a guaranteed spot if they opt into a partner initiative that offers benefits ranging from revenue sharing on in-game items to an academy program that supports emerging talent.

I mean, I’m sure the pros and fans alike are always thinking of Activision’s other failed esports franchise: Overwatch. The Overwatch League was ultimately a disaster, with Activision unable to deliver on the riches it promised the teams that paid to participate.

Call of Duty’s esports scene is filled with untapped potential, and with a handful of changes that benefit the many rather than the few, the CDL and Challengers scenes can lay sustainable foundations to support the entire ecosystem for years to come.