The Call of Duty League (CDL) has entered its sixth season with a fresh format and major structural changes. Kicking off with the Stage 1 Major Qualifiers in December 2024, the 2025 season has already witnessed a surge in viewership, thanks in part to the introduction of new Minor events. The first of these, the Stage 1 Minor, concluded on January 13, providing fans with additional competitive action early in the season.
A New Era for the Call of Duty League
This season, the CDL has maintained its core structure of four Major tournaments and their corresponding Qualifiers. However, the addition of two Minors for Stages 1 and 2 has introduced a new dynamic. Unlike Majors, which feature a double-elimination bracket, Minor events adopt a single-elimination format. The stakes are also lower, with Minor winners earning 30 CDL Points compared to the 100 awarded for a Major victory. While these events do not carry the same weight as Majors, they have proven to be valuable in boosting general viewership and engagement.
Franchise Entry Fees Removed, New Teams Enter the CDL
One of the most significant changes in 2025 has been the removal of franchise entry fees. Organizations that had previously paid these fees received refunds, and teams now benefit from a larger share of in-game sales revenue. This shift aims to ensure long-term financial stability for teams while making entry into the CDL more accessible.
Several new teams have joined the league as a result of this change. Team Falcons debuted in the CDL, Gentle Mates acquired the Los Angeles Guerrillas franchise, and Cloud9 New York emerged following a merger with New York Subliners’ ownership. The addition of these organizations has diversified the competition and drawn fresh attention to the league.
CDL 2025 (image via Getty)Stage 1 Minor Viewership Trends
The introduction of Minors has already impacted CDL viewership metrics. The Stage 1 Minor recorded 169,366 peak viewers, making it the 16th most-watched event in CDL history. While this number might not seem groundbreaking, it has contributed significantly to the circuit’s general audience growth, particularly when combined with the expanded Major Qualifiers.
The Most Popular Matches and Teams
OpTic Texas’ semifinal clash against CAR Royal Ravens (CRR) emerged as the most-watched match of the Stage 1 Minor. OpTic’s longstanding popularity in the Call of Duty scene played a key role in this, as the team appeared in three of the top five most-viewed matches of the event. Their influence was further amplified by content creators who hosted watch parties, drawing additional engagement from fans.
Former professional player and OpTic content creator Seth “Scump” Abner was a major contributor to the event’s streaming success. His broadcast of OpTic’s final match peaked at 83,442 viewers, making him the tournament’s top streamer. However, viewership for the grand final between CRR and Atlanta FaZe was noticeably lower, with Scump’s stream drawing fewer than 40,000 peak viewers.
Gentle Mates’ streamer Gotaga also played a role in boosting viewership. Despite Los Angeles Guerrillas M8 being eliminated early by Minnesota RØKKR (owned by G2 Esports), their match ranked among the tournament’s most-watched games. Gotaga’s French-language stream was the third most popular of the event, trailing only Scump and the official CDL YouTube broadcast.
European Expansion and Madrid Major
With the CDL removing its franchise entry fees, European teams are making their mark on the league. The first Major of the year will take place in Madrid, Spain—an opportunity to reignite interest among European fans. Organizations like G2 Esports, Gentle Mates, and Team Heretics are strengthening their presence, with Miami Heretics entering the scene through a franchise partnership. However, Spanish-language viewership for the Stage 1 Minor remained limited, likely due to Miami Heretics’ early elimination.
CDL 2025 (image via Getty)Promising Signs for CDL Viewership
The CDL’s new format is already demonstrating its potential. The combined viewership of the Stage 1 Minor and the ongoing Major Qualifiers has rivaled some of the league’s most-watched events. This is particularly encouraging as the season progresses toward its bigger tournaments. With the Stage 1 Major still underway, peak viewership has already surpassed 208,000, and these numbers are expected to grow as the competition intensifies.
As CDL 2025 continues, all eyes will be on Madrid for the season’s first Major. With fresh teams in the mix, a more accessible league structure, and increasing engagement from content creators, the future of the CDL looks bright. Esports Charts will continue tracking the league’s viewership trends, providing insights into how the CDL’s revamped system is shaping the competitive Call of Duty terrain.
