Mykola Shymko
Esports Operations Manager at DATA.BET | iGaming Expert

Introduction

Call of Duty, an iconic first-person shooter (FPS), continues to dominate not only as a competitive esports title but also as a growing market for esports betting. At DATA.BET, we believe the franchise’s appeal stretches far beyond its roots in North America. With the explosive growth of audiences that prefer to bet on esports, operators should no longer overlook Call of Duty’s expanding global presence and its increasing potential for profit.

The State of the Call of Duty Esports Scene

The competitive Call of Duty landscape is structured as a franchise league, with 12 teams representing various cities and states in the Call of Duty League (CDL). These teams compete throughout the calendar year across four stages, earning CDL Points along with prize money. These points determine the teams’ seeding in the Major – the season’s culminating tournament.

In 2024, Call of Duty joined the prestigious Esports World Cup lineup. This year, 16 teams will battle for a $1.8 million prize pool, elevating the importance of Challenger Series qualification events. Now, teams outside the CDL franchise have a chance to compete at the highest level, as victories in these secondary tournaments offer coveted invitations to the Esports World Cup.

Call of Duty: Warzone also carries significant esports potential. Its battle royale format has drawn both dedicated fans of the Call of Duty series and newcomers. Launched in 2023, the World Series of Warzone now boasts five regional leagues and a $950,000 prize pool, signaling a major milestone in competitive gaming.

Call of Duty’s Impact on the Masses

The Call of Duty League is a geolocated franchise, with each of its 12 teams representing a specific city or state in North America. This regional approach creates a unique and passionate fan dynamic, as supporters rally behind their local teams, fostering a vibrant atmosphere unlike any other in esports. Matches such as Optic Texas vs. Atlanta FaZe transcend traditional gaming rivalries, turning into intense, state-based competitions.

The Call of Duty competitive scene has become an integral part of American youth culture, comparable to major leagues like the NBA and NHL. Its live events draw large online audiences, with top-tier tournaments filling arenas.

Mirroring the appeal of traditional American sports leagues, the Call of Duty franchise has attracted an international fanbase. Notable CDL players, who also act as content creators and influencers, have contributed to the game’s widespread appeal. One example is Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro from Optic Texas, who boasts over 580,000 followers on Twitch. The presence of European and Middle Eastern players further bolsters the league’s global footprint.

What’s Changed in Call of Duty in 2025?

The fifth year of the Call of Duty League has seen several pivotal changes, signaling further expansion and development of the scene.

First, a return to Europe. Early this year, Madrid hosted the first CDL Major in five years, offering a $365,000 prize pool. This shift has already proven beneficial for viewership. According to Esports Charts, the event’s relocation to the old-new location boosted audience engagement, with community-driven broadcasts nearly doubling in coverage compared to last year. Non-English broadcasts – specifically in Spanish, Arabic, and French – set new viewership records, highlighting the franchise’s growing international appeal.

Second, a revamped tournament structure. The addition of Minor events to the Call of Duty ecosystem has increased the frequency of matches, enhancing the overall competition calendar. This reorganization ensures that there is no drop in content quality while providing a more consistent flow of events for fans and bettors.

Third, a surge of interest from esports organizations. In Europe, French organization Gentle Mates acquired the CDL Los Angeles Guerrillas team, capitalizing on the growing popularity of Call of Duty. The stream of one of its founders, Corentin “Gotaga” Hussen, reached over 66,000 concurrent viewers during the Major. Smaller organizations are also investing in the Tier 2 – Tier 3 Call of Duty scene, aiming to qualify for the Esports World Cup.

How DATA.BET Analyzes Call of Duty

The rapidly evolving esports ecosystem requires constant adaptation. At DATA.BET, we understand that Call of Duty’s dynamic competitive scene – affected by patch updates, meta shifts, and player form – demands quick adjustments to ensure profitable betting outcomes.

To form accurate odds, the Trading team at DATA.BET relies on more than just mathematical models. The game’s unique structure requires specialized expertise. Matches are made up of several maps, played in three distinct modes – Hardpoint, Search & Destroy and Control. To accurately calculate odds, each map is treated as an individual match, with its own probabilities based on factors like win rate and player performance.

In a 4v4 format, players’ form is a significant determinant of match outcomes. The ability to react to real-time developments – such as kill counts, control of key map positions, or momentum shifts – is critical. As a result, Call of Duty trading demands continuous updates and in-the-moment decision-making to ensure profitability.

Prospects and Challenges Ahead

In 2024, DATA.BET provided coverage for 427 Call of Duty matches. The Q1 of 2025 has seen a 137% increase in the number of events offered, with expectations for continued growth. This expansion is supported by the increasing prominence of Challenger tournaments, particularly in Europe, which have attracted significant betting interest.

Operators with Call of Duty in their portfolios are already seeing strong returns. The first quarter of 2025 revealed an x3 increase in betting volume compared to the same period in 2024. For sportsbook owners, these metrics suggest a promising future for Call of Duty as an esports betting discipline.

However, sustained growth requires more than just an expanding scene. Operators must continually refine their trading strategies and forecasting models to account for the unique dynamics of Call of Duty. The integration of real-time data processing opens up opportunities for a broader range of betting markets and extended live betting times. Fast markets and Player Props, already successful in other FPS titles, could further elevate Call of Duty‘s standing in the iGaming space.

The continued growth in turnover and Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) indicates that Call of Duty is positioning itself among the most popular betting esports disciplines – potentially joining the ranks of Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Valorant in the near future.

Call of Duty’s rapid expansion, both in its esports scene and within the betting market, signifies a robust and lucrative future. Operators should recognize the immense potential of the game and integrate it into their portfolios for long-term success in the evolving iGaming industry.