Call of Duty

Official paths and third-party cash competition are not the same thing. Expand a stage for instructions, eligibility and links.

1. 01

   Learn the competitive game

   Learn the current competitive ruleset before entering serious events.

   Start · informational · prerequisite

   Where to play

   Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Multiplayer Ranked Play / private competitive matches

   What you play

   The 2026 competitive ruleset currently uses Hardpoint, Search & Destroy and Overload. Ranked Play is useful preparation because it uses competitive maps, settings and restrictions, but it is practice rather than a qualification stage.

   Team

   Solo possible · You can practise solo or in stacks. Official Challengers later requires a four-player roster.

   Steps

   • Learn current CDL/Challengers competitive settings.
   • Learn the active maps for each mode.
   • Learn roles, rotations, Search & Destroy setups and team communication.
   • Play Ranked and competitive scrims.
   • Keep checking the official Competitive Settings page because maps and restrictions can change during the season.

   Notes

   Do not treat Ranked Play as a Challengers qualifier. Use it to learn the current ruleset, then move to a team.

   Competitive Settings (Rules)
2. 02

   Build your team

   Build a roster capable of entering official Challengers events.

   Team Up · official · prerequisite

   What you play

   Practise the official competitive modes as a four-player roster before you register.

   Accounts

   • Each player will need a FACEIT account before Challengers registration.

   Team

   Team required · 4 players · Current official Challengers team size is 4 total players. Check the latest official rules for any roster restrictions.

   Eligibility

   • Players must currently be at least 18 and meet all current official eligibility requirements. This WinQueue summary is not the rulebook. Official rules

   Steps

   • Find three suitable teammates.
   • Agree roles and a practice schedule.
   • Practise the official competitive modes.
   • Check every player's eligibility and region.
   • Create the necessary FACEIT accounts.

   Notes

   Always read the latest official rules before registration. Do not rely on this summary as the legal rulebook.

   Official Challengers How to Compete (Official)Current Challengers rules/settings (Rules)
3. 03

   Create a FACEIT account and enter Challengers

   Enter the official Call of Duty path-to-pro ecosystem.

   Enter · official · primary

   Where to play

   FACEIT / Call of Duty Challengers

   Where to register

   FACEIT / Call of Duty Challengers

   What you play

   Online Call of Duty Challengers competition on FACEIT. Official guidance currently tells aspiring players to create a FACEIT account and sign their team up there.

   Accounts

   • FACEIT account for every teammate.

   Team

   Team required · 4 players · Register as a four-player Challengers team.

   Eligibility

   • You must currently be at least 18 and meet all official Challengers eligibility requirements for your region. Read the event rules before you sign up. Official rules

   Steps

   • Create or sign into FACEIT.
   • Ensure teammates have the required accounts.
   • Find the correct Challengers competition for your region.
   • Read that event's current rules and eligibility.
   • Register the team.
   • Complete any required check-in.
   • Play the bracket or competition as instructed on FACEIT.
   • Track results and Challengers Points.

   Region notes

   Current Challengers regions include North America, Europe & Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

   View matching opportunitiesCreate / use FACEIT (Sign up)Official Challengers How to Compete (Official)Current Challengers rules/settings (Rules)
4. 04

   Play Challengers Cups and earn points

   Build official Challengers results and points.

   Compete · official · primary

   Where to play

   FACEIT / Call of Duty Challengers Cups

   Where to register

   FACEIT / Call of Duty Challengers

   What you play

   Challengers Cups and the wider Challengers competition structure are part of the official amateur / path-to-pro ecosystem. Results in eligible competition contribute Challengers Points, which can matter for access to higher Challengers competition.

   Accounts

   • FACEIT account and registered Challengers team.

   Team

   Team required · 4 players

   Eligibility

   • Enter eligible Challengers events in the region you reside in. Confirm current eligibility on the official rules pages. Official rules

   Steps

   • Enter available Cups in your region.
   • Perform consistently.
   • Track standings and Challengers Points.
   • Continue entering eligible Challengers events.
   • Watch for Elite Qualifier eligibility and cutoffs where applicable.

   Notes

   Challengers Points distributions and cutoffs can change. Do not treat any points table as permanent; check official Challengers pages for the current season.

   View matching opportunitiesOfficial Challengers How to Compete (Official)Call of Duty Challengers home (Official)
5. 05

   Reach Challengers Elite

   Higher-level amateur competition.

   Elite · official · primary

   Where to play

   Call of Duty Challengers Elite

   Where to register

   FACEIT / Call of Duty Challengers Elite Qualifiers

   What you play

   Challengers Elite is designed to elevate leading amateur teams in North America and Europe. Elite Qualifiers provide a route for non-Elite teams to earn a place.

   Accounts

   • FACEIT account and Challengers team in an Elite region.

   Team

   Team required · 4 players

   Eligibility

   • Anybody can enter the Elite Qualifier, but the current system uses Challengers Points to determine which teams make the participation cutoff. Confirm current cutoffs on official pages. Official rules

   Steps

   • Confirm Elite exists in your Challengers region.
   • Track Challengers Points against the current Elite Qualifier cutoff.
   • Enter the Elite Qualifier if you are targeting a place.
   • Play Elite competition if you qualify.

   Notes

   Do not assume Elite is available in every Challengers region. Regional restrictions apply.

   Region notes

   Currently designed for leading amateur teams in North America and Europe. It does not exist identically in every Challengers region.

   Official Challengers Elite information (Official)
6. 06

   Understand the professional level

   See where sustained Challengers performance sits beneath the professional Call of Duty ecosystem.

   Pro · informational · primary

   What you play

   Sustained high-level Challengers performance is the environment where players and teams demonstrate themselves beneath the professional Call of Duty ecosystem. Professional roster opportunities are not a simple automatic promotion ladder.

   Team

   Team required · 4 players

   Steps

   • Keep competing in the highest Challengers events available to you.
   • Treat results, film and reputation as the case you present — not a guaranteed promotion.
   • Read official Challengers and Call of Duty League updates for the current season structure.

   Notes

   There is no automatic “win X and you become a CDL player” step. This stage explains the ecosystem; it does not promise qualification.

   2026 Season Announcement (Official)Call of Duty Challengers home (Official)