On February 14, during Scump’s Watch Party stream dedicated to CDL matches, HECZ, the CEO of OpTic and an iconic figure in the Call of Duty community, put forth an intriguing proposal. He suggested a significant shift from the conventional annual Call of Duty Championships toward a collaborative event with the Esports World Cup (EWC).
HECZ articulated his vision clearly, stating, “I mean too late now, but I hope the next year if we are going to continue to do the EWC stuff that they don’t have a champs. And then just put like a $4 million f**king tournament on to see who really plays that hard.” His remarks indicate a desire for a more lucrative competition that could redefine the competitive landscape of Call of Duty esports.
OpTic HecZ wants Esports World Cup and CoD Champs to combine for a yearly culminating event with $4 million up for grabs. We liking this idea? pic.twitter.com/xucocv94Jc
— Jake Lucky (@JakeSucky) February 14, 2025
The competitive spirit of Call of Duty was showcased earlier this year when the 2024 CoD Champs commenced on July 17, featuring a sizable prize pool of $2 million. In this highly anticipated event, OpTic Texas emerged victorious, clinching the championship and securing an impressive $800, 000 cash prize.
Following closely on its heels, the EWC 2024 unfolded from August 15 to 18, offering a substantial prize pool of $1.8 million, with Atlanta FaZe taking home $600, 000 of that sum. When combined, the prize pools from these two events would total approximately $3.8 million, edging toward the ambitious figure HECZ suggested.
Is HECZ’s Proposal Viable?
Despite HECZ’s passionate advocacy for this new format, Activision has yet to indicate any intention of discontinuing the storied annual tournament that has long been a cornerstone of Call of Duty esports. Thus, HECZ’s proposal remains a mere idea for now.
He elaborated on discussions with various team owners about the potential for perpetually hosting the championships in Las Vegas, indicating a commitment to creating a long-lasting venue for competitive play.
As it stands, the 2025 CDL Championship is slated for Toronto, following last year’s event in Texas, which was hosted by OpTic Gaming. It’s important to note that the 2023 CoD Championship took place in Las Vegas, highlighting a trend of noteworthy locations for significant esports events.
Looking ahead, the EWC 2025 is set to make its return, although the specific dates and lineup of esports titles have yet to be confirmed. Anticipated for the summer, this year’s iteration is expected to feature over 20 competitions across a variety of games.
Furthermore, EWC has announced a partnership with Riot Games to include popular titles such as Valorant and League of Legends, enriching the diversity of competitions available at the event this year.
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