The Call of Duty League (CDL) 2026: Stage 2 Major marks the season’s turning point, offering the perfect opportunity to build momentum en route to Champs. With only the top 10 teams from the qualifiers advancing to the LAN stage, the field is set to separate the pretenders from the contenders.
To help you cut through all the noise, our expert insights and odds-backed betting predictions for CDL 2026 Major 2 offer the edge you need to identify value in every bet.
CDL 2026 Major 2 Schedule & Format
CDL 2026 Major 2 is scheduled to run from March 27–29, 2026, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England, as part of DreamHack Birmingham.
For the first time, the tournament will feature 10 CDL partner teams, as determined by the Major 2 qualifiers (running from Feb. 13–March 22). The top six teams will qualify directly for the Playoffs bracket, while those seeded 7th–10th will begin in the Play-Ins for the remaining two spots.
As always, the Playoffs will follow a double-elimination bracket, with matches played as a best-of-five series. The only exception is the Grand Final, which will be played as a best-of-seven to crown the CDL 2026 Major 2 champion.
The following map pool will be used throughout the event:
- Hardpoint: Blackheart, Colossus, Den, Exposure, Scar
- Search & Destroy: Colossus, Den, Exposure, Raid, Scar
- Overload: Den, Exposure, Scar
For the latest CDL Major 2 schedule and match fixtures, you can refer to the official Call of Duty League website.
Prize Pool Distribution
CDL Major 2 features a $365,000 prize pool and awards 370 CDL Points toward Championship Weekend qualification in July. Here’s how the money and points will be distributed:
| Place | Prize Money | CDL Points |
| 1st | $150,000 | 100 |
| 2nd | $90,000 | 75 |
| 3rd | $50,000 | 60 |
| 4th | $30,000 | 45 |
| 5th–6th | $15,000 (each) | 30 (each) |
| 7th–8th | $7,500 (each) | 15 (each) |
| 9th–10th | – | – |
| Total | $365,000 | 370 |
How To Watch CDL 2026 Major 2
Catch every CDL 2026 Major 2 match live on Thunderpick. Simply head to our dedicated Call of Duty page and select the camera icon next to any available matchup to bring up the live stream. From there, enjoy the games and place in-play bets as they unfold in real time.
If you prefer, you can also watch the official English-language broadcast on the CDL Twitch and YouTube channels, or approved community co-streams via the CDL Watch Party program.
Teams Competing At CDL 2026 Major 2
Since adopting a franchise model, all 12 partnered teams have qualified for each Major event. For CDL 2026 Major 2, however, the format has been adjusted, with only the top 10 teams at the qualifiers advancing to the LAN.
- OpTic Texas
- Miami Heretics
- Los Angeles Thieves
- G2 Minnesota
- Riyadh Falcons
- FaZe Vegas
- Carolina Royal Ravens
- Toronto KOI
- Vancouver Surge
- Paris Gentle Mates
Our Predictions For CDL 2026 Major 2
With a stacked field, we’ve analyzed historical performance, player stats, head-to-head history, roster stability, and the latest bookmaker odds to derive the top CDL 2026 Major 2 title contenders.
Important: These predictions reflect the perceived strength of teams based on historical trends and the latest available odds. This analysis should not be interpreted as betting advice. Past performance does not guarantee future outcomes. Always gamble responsibly.
OpTic Texas (#1)
OpTic Texas is the strongest contender at CDL 2026 Major 2, and it’s no surprise.
The Green Wall showed championship-caliber performance in the qualifiers, posting a near-flawless 10–1 score (+21 map differential), with their record-breaking win streak attempt only halted by Riyadh Falcons in Week 6. This latest performance follows a dominant run for OpTic, who not only clinched the EWC 2025 trophy but also a second straight CDL Champs title last year.
After finishing the Major 2 qualifiers as the top seed, OpTic now also leads the CDL 2026 Regular Season standings as a statistical powerhouse with 215 Points and 77.3% map win rate. Although their 6th-place finish at Major 1 was less impressive, it’s clear OpTic are determined to hold onto their status as global titans.
Central to the team’s successful campaign is a proven core of Shotzzy and Dashy, with Mercules continuing to deliver elite impact. The Champs 2025 MVP topped the league with a 1.19 BP Rating, 1.54 SND K/D, and 0.90 SND KPR, while also ranking fifth in overall K/D (1.12) and fourth in Slayer Rating (95.99) during the CDL 2026 season.
OpTic Texas roster:
- Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro
- Brandon “Dashy” Otell
- Cuyler “Huke” Garland
- Mason “Mercules” Ramsey
- Damon “Karma” Barlow (Coach)
Miami Heretics (#2)
Miami Heretics are next in line to lift the CDL 2026 Major 2 trophy and arguably the biggest threat to OpTic’s dominance. They secured the #2 seed in the qualifiers after posting a 7–4 record (65% series win rate) and a +11 map differential, driven by exceptional performances from their Spanish-heavy roster.
Flex AR RenKoR and SND specialist SupeR anchor the lineup, with 1.17 and 1.15 K/D (ranking #1 and #2 in the league), respectively, while MettalZ provides consistent objective pressure. Meanwhile, rising Argentine prospect Traixx has proven to be the missing link, bringing much-needed balance to the team’s aggressive playstyle.
While they only placed 6th in the CDL 2026 Regular Season standings, Heretics built strong momentum after sweeping FaZe Vegas and Riyadh Falcons 3–0 in the qualifiers, the latter being the only team to beat OpTic. They even defeated superteam LAT in a tight 3–2 series in Week 4, reinforcing their high ceiling.
With a 60% win rate and strong head-to-head results against top-tier rivals, Miami Heretics have the firepower to challenge OpTic. As the #2 seed, they’re also likely to avoid OpTic until the Winners Final, making their early matchups crucial for a possible deep run.
Miami Heretics roster:
- David “RenKoR” Isern
- Diego “SupeR” Escudero
- Nicolás “Traixx” Mónaco
- Adrián “MettalZ” Serrano
- Jorge “MethodZ” Bancells (Coach)
Los Angeles Thieves (#3)
Los Angeles Thieves are our #3 pick to lift the CDL 2026 Major 2 trophy, backed by a 65% average win rate and one of the most reliable talent pools in the league.
On paper, the superstar trio of HyDra, Scrap, and aBeZy is stacked, offering raw aggression and elite playmaking that few teams can match. Scrap currently leads the league in Hardpoint DMG/10M and ranks among the top five players in Slayer Rating, thanks to his penchant for breaking setups with his high-pressure AR plays.
At the same time, HyDra adds explosive slaying power and engagement pacing, while aBeZy’s early entry aggression creates the space needed to convert trades and lock objectives. Despite a shaky Major 1 run, LAT’s recent top-three qualifier seed (7–4 record, +9 map differential) and 4th place in the Regular Season standings make them a serious threat.
The team’s biggest challenge remains OpTic Texas and FaZe Vegas, but if their stars click on LAN, LAT have a realistic path to the CDL 2026 Major 2 trophy.
Los Angeles Thieves roster:
- Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez
- Thomas “Scrappy” Ernst
- Tyler “aBeZy” Pharris
- Jeremiah “Nium” Harrison
- Troy “Sender” Michaels (Coach)
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