Black Ops 7 launches with Race to Prestige

The global Call of Duty community is buzzing as Activision have officially kicked off the launch of its highly anticipated title, Black Ops 7, with the return of the fan-favorite “Race to Prestige.”

The marathon grind began today at 3 a.m. PT, pitting 25 teams of creators and players against each other in a sleepless sprint to become the first to achieve the coveted rank of Prestige Master.

This annual tradition serves as the unofficial start to the competitive season, galvanizing the community around a shared objective: hitting Level 1000 before anyone else. Call of Duty’s social channels will provide daily updates as a truly international roster, with teams like Brazil’s Aviões do COD and Mexico’s NoctisMX, battles against European squads like BegamersEU Baddies and U.S. contenders such as the Vegas Inferno.

The complete list of competitors includes: Punkill Race, Monsters, Aviões do COD, Team Mariale, Piperno, JCKingz Team, CZBR, Teamos Brasileirinhos, NoctisMX Esports Brasil, BegamersEU Baddies, XOMatrix Squad, Istigghilul, A Rippers Team, Marvel, Nuke Squad, Vegas Inferno, Project Reset, Cup of Robots, Mroaft x Legion Lan, Team Fenix, GoonOps67, Ranked Play Grinders, Team Swishe, and MTD.

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  Fast Payouts

While a community-focused event, the Race to Prestige echoes the intensity of “Race to World First” competitions popularized by games like World of Warcraft, which draw hundreds of thousands of concurrent viewers. It’s a game-changer for engagement, transforming the solitary grind into a spectator sport.

The excitement is amplified by the game’s deep-rooted nostalgia. Black Ops 7 is a direct sequel to the iconic Black Ops 2, a title widely credited with laying the groundwork for modern Call of Duty esports.

The 2012 release introduced foundational features like League Play and the original CoDCaster system, which were instrumental in elevating the scene from grassroots tournaments to a professional spectacle. That professional legacy continues into a packed 2026 season. In October, Activision unveiled the schedule for the Call of Duty League (CDL), which will feature four Majors and the CDL Championship.

In a significant move, the league will return to the United Kingdom for the first time in five years, hosting a Major at DreamHack Birmingham from March 27-29, 2026. This follows a period of major structural evolution for the CDL, which recently moved away from its long-standing franchise model to foster a more open and expanded competitive ecosystem. This new era for COD esports promises more opportunities for aspiring teams to break into the top tier.

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  The bookies' bookie

Beyond the CDL, Black Ops 7 has also been confirmed as one of the first 20 titles for the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This inclusion places Call of Duty alongside other top-tier esports in a tournament backed by the Esports World Cup Foundation.

The inaugural 2024 event featured a staggering prize pool exceeding $60 million, signaling the immense financial stakes and prestige associated with the competition. Its place in the EWC provides an additional, high-profile circuit for organizations outside the main CDL season.

As players worldwide begin their own progression through the ten Prestige levels required to start the climb to Prestige Master, all eyes are on the 25 chosen teams.

The race is more than just a marketing event; it’s the starting gun for what is shaping up to be a landmark year for Call of Duty esports, bridging the gap between the game’s passionate community and its elite professional tier.