Birmingham Awaits: CDL Major II Breakdown & Predictions

The CDL is calling, and the whole of Britain is answering, setting the stage for what could be one of the greatest crowds in league history.

The Call of Duty League descends on DreamHack Birmingham for a $365,000 showdown that could help define the 2026 season. Here’s everything you need to know.

Five years is a long time in esports. The last time the CDL played on British soil, the world looked very different: different teams, different titles, a completely different era. But from Friday, March 27th, the NEC in Birmingham becomes the center of the competitive Call of Duty universe for three electric days, as DreamHack hosts Major II and British fans finally get to witness the world’s best up close.

This event uses a streamlined 10-team format designed to deliver high-caliber matchups from the very first series. Six weeks of intense online qualifiers, running from February 13th to March 22nd, separated contenders from pretenders, with only 10 teams earning the trip to England. With every team playing each other once, there are no excuses; everyone had their chance.

Who Made It and Who Didn’t

OpTic Texas emerged from qualifiers as the undisputed No. 1 seed, posting a dominant 10-1 record and setting the tone for the rest of the field.

Miami Heretics and LA Thieves secured the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, respectively, both finishing 7-4. Just behind them, Riyadh Falcons, FaZe Vegas, and G2 Minnesota all finished 6-5, with tiebreakers determining seeds 4 through 6 and rounding out the winners’ bracket.

In the play-in zone, Paris GentleMates, the reigning Major I champions, find themselves seeded 10th after a shaky qualifier run. They’re joined by Carolina Royal Ravens, Toronto KOI, and Vancouver Surge, all of whom narrowly missed out on winners’ bracket positioning.

Two teams won’t be making the trip at all. Boston Breach finished at a disappointing 3-8, meaning British player Byron "Nastie" Plumridge won’t get his long-awaited home-crowd moment this year. Cloud9 New York fared even worse at 2-9. Both organizations have serious questions to answer moving forward.

The Stories You Need to Follow

OpTic Texas & The Revenge Major

No team enters Birmingham more motivated than OpTic Texas. The reigning world champions came into 2026 looking to defend their crown, but Major I had other plans. Paris GentleMates stunned the league, ending OpTic’s run and shifting the narrative overnight.

Now, OpTic returns as the top seed, and the numbers suggest they’ve regained form. But online dominance doesn’t always translate to LAN. The question is simple: Did Major I sharpen them, or shake them?

One thing is certain: the UK crowd tends to rally behind the biggest names, and OpTic remains the biggest brand in the game.

📸 Photo by @CODLeague

Paris GentleMates: Defend or Crumble?

No team has more to prove in both directions than Paris GentleMates. Their Major I victory was remarkable, a debut roster taking down the defending champions. But was it the start of something real, or a one-off run?

A 10th seed means they must battle through the play-in bracket just to reach the main stage. A deep run validates their Major I win. An early exit, especially in play-ins, will reignite doubts around consistency and cohesion. This weekend will define them.

📸 Photo by @CODLeague

The Dark Horses: Heretics & Riyadh Falcons

Miami Heretics arrive as the No. 2 seed after one of the most consistent qualifier performances in Stage II. They’ve exceeded expectations and now have a real chance to prove they belong among the elite.

Riyadh Falcons, meanwhile, remain one of the biggest question marks. Their online form has been strong, but LAN struggles still linger. Saud "Exnid" Alotai has been exceptional online, but this weekend is about proving it on stage. If their Search & Destroy improves, they have the respawn ability to beat anyone here.

📸 Photo by @CODLeague

What to Watch For

Friday: Play-Ins (Don’t Skip It)
Play-ins are often overlooked, but not this time. Paris GentleMates’ opening match is a must-watch. For them, it might as well be a Grand Final. How they perform will tell you everything about their weekend.

Saturday: Setting the Tone
Winners Round 1 begins, with seeds 1–6 joined by the play-in survivors. OpTic Texas’s opening match will define the narrative. A stumble opens the door for doubt. A dominant win puts the pressure on everyone else.

Sunday: Grand Final
The final test. After weeks of qualifiers and a grueling bracket, one team will emerge as champion. In a format where everyone has played everyone, there will be no flukes; only the best will survive.

My Predictions

Winner: OpTic Texas
If OpTic doesn’t win this event, something has gone seriously wrong. They’ve looked like the best team in the game and were inches away from winning Major I. Expect redemption.

Runner-Up: LA Thieves
The Thieves are trending upward at the right time. Their pace has improved, and their stars are beginning to click. A deep run feels likely.

Outsider: Riyadh Falcons
Arguably the second-best respawn team behind OpTic. If their SND improves, they could win the entire event. But it hinges on delivering on LAN.

Biggest Flop: Toronto KOI
With pressure mounting and a tough matchup looming, KOI could be vulnerable early. Vancouver Surge have shown upset potential, especially in Hardpoint.

MVP: Anthony "Shotzzy" Cuevas-Castro
Shotzzy continues to level up week after week. This feels like the moment he reminds everyone why he’s one of the best in the world.

📸 Photo by @CODLeague

Final Word

For me, this is the biggest CDL weekend in years.

Birmingham feels different. A return to UK soil, an international crowd, a $365,000 prize pool, and a format where every match matters, it all adds up to something special.

Whether you’re watching from home, following along on your phone, or inside the NEC, this is a weekend that demands your attention.