How the Call of Duty League Championship in Kitchener Made Me a Fan of Competitive COD
From Casual Player to Devoted Follower: How CDL 2025 in Ontario Converted Me Into a Call of Duty Esports Fan
This past weekend, the unthinkable happened: I became a Call of Duty League fan.
I’ve played Call of Duty since Call of Duty 3, fighting through war-torn villages and online lobbies for years, but I never fully immersed myself in the competitive esports scene. That all changed thanks to the Call of Duty League Championship 2025, hosted for the very first time in Canada, right in the heart of Kitchener-Waterloo.
Held at the historic Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (The Aud), this wasn't just any tournament—it was a $2 million global showdown that brought together the best 12 pro teams in the world to determine the champions of the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 season. And let me tell you: it wasn’t just hype. It was electric.
A First for Canada, and a Huge Leap for Canadian Esports
For fans and organizers alike, the 2025 CDL Championship was more than a tournament—it was a statement. As the first-ever Call of Duty World Championship hosted in Canada, this event positioned Ontario as a legitimate global esports hub.
Huge credit goes to OverActive Media and Toronto Ultra for making it happen. The production, energy, and sheer scope of the event rivalled anything I’ve seen online. Fans flew in from all over the world. Teams came ready to fight. And The Aud? It roared with energy match after match.
They had many activities from having the Call of Duty Challengers sharing the stage with the major league teams, you can buy a ton of merch, do a scavenger hunt, and if you have time and need a fresh up, you could even get a haircut provided by Movember, Huge shoutout to Tommy Guns London for having me looking good for Championship Sunday.
The Grand Final: Texas Optic vs Vancouver Surge
Even though Toronto Ultra, the hometown heroes, didn’t reach the Grand Finals, the final matchup was nothing short of legendary. Texas Optic and Vancouver Surge battled it out across multiple maps, exchanging blow after blow with surgical precision and relentless aggression.
It all came down to the final map, a brutal tug-of-war that had every fan—whether seated or standing—on the edge of their seat. Ultimately, Texas Optic clinched the win, making history as the first Call of Duty team to win back-to-back World Championships. The eruption in the venue? Pure chaos, and deserved.
CDL 2025: A New Era of Esports
This year’s Championship marks a transformative chapter for Call of Duty esports. The 2025 season featured:
- Four Major Tournaments
- All 12 League teams are competing on Black Ops 6
- PC play with League-approved controllers, giving pros the highest customization ever
- And now, a growing international footprint, starting with Canada
The message is clear: Call of Duty Esports is here to stay, and it's only getting bigger.
A New Fan's Perspective
Before this weekend, I didn’t consider myself a fan of esports tournaments. I respected the skill, watched the odd stream here and there, but being there in person to see the passion and hear the roars of the crowd, to experience the tension of a tied match, the eruption after a clutch play, and the synchronized chants echoing across the venue.
That all changed thanks to this event. I’m sold.
Kitchener Proved It! Canada Is Ready for Esports
OverActive Media, Toronto Ultra, and the CDL proved that Canada can host world-class gaming events, and Kitchener stepped up as an incredible host city. From top-tier matches to a wildly passionate fan base, this weekend proved that esports has a real home in Ontario.
And if you’re still unsure about competitive Call of Duty?
All it takes is one weekend at an event like this, and you’ll be a believer too.