The 2026 Call of Duty League Championship opened July 16 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, with eight teams chasing an $800,000 top prize. OpTic Texas, the tournament's top seed, leads the field as FaZe Clan (Faze Vegas) hosts the event that closes out the Black Ops 7 season.
Eight teams, one prize pool
All eight CDL teams are competing in the championship, which runs over several days at the Las Vegas venue. The structure is a double-elimination bracket, with the winner earning the largest single payout in the league's history. The $800,000 first-place prize is part of a larger pool that also covers second through eighth place, though exact lower-tier figures weren't disclosed.
The championship marks the end of the Black Ops 7 season, the latest title in the long-running franchise. Teams have spent months grinding through online qualifiers and major tournaments to secure their spot in Las Vegas.
OpTic Texas enters as the team to beat
OpTic Texas earned the top seed by dominating the regular season and the Major tournaments. The squad, known for its aggressive playstyle and deep roster, will be the one everyone's trying to knock off. Their path to the $800,000 prize runs through a bracket that includes some familiar rivals, including the host team FaZe Clan.
FaZe Clan, competing as Faze Vegas, has the advantage of playing on home turf. The organization has hosted the championship before, but this year's event comes with extra weight — they're looking to cap the season with a win in front of their own fans.
Las Vegas venue and the closing of Black Ops 7
The Michelob ULTRA Arena, located inside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, has become a regular stop for major esports events. The arena's capacity and production setup allow for a live audience, though the facts didn't specify whether spectators are allowed this year. The championship marks the last competitive event for Black Ops 7, as the next Call of Duty title is expected in the fall.
For the eight teams, the next few days will determine who walks away with the $800,000 check and the title of CDL Champion. The bracket will narrow down to two finalists, with the championship match scheduled for the final day of the event.
