The FaZe Falcons Call of Duty Challengers team is officially here, confirming one of the biggest team-ups we have seen in the second tier of Call of Duty esports.

Riyadh Falcons has joined forces with FaZe Clan-backed Stallions to create a co-branded roster competing under the name FaZe Falcons.

From the sky to the ground, nothing can stop us. This is FaZe Falcons 🦅⚡

🇸🇦 @g1ntl
🇸🇦 @Knox__77
🇲🇽 @PaulEhx_
🇲🇽 @SwootyWRLD#FalconsAreHere – #FaZeUp – #Stallions https://t.co/aCi3yN0Q4c

— Riyadh Falcons (@Riyadh_Falcons) February 18, 2026

The announcement, made on February 18, instantly grabbed attention across the competitive scene, especially with the mix of Saudi Arabian and North American talent involved.

The FaZe Falcons Roster Confirmed

• 🇸🇦 GntL
• 🇸🇦 KnoX
• 🇲🇽 PaulEhx
• 🇲🇽 Swooty

The team will compete in the North American Challengers circuit, beginning with qualifiers for the second Challengers Elite season. Those online qualifiers run from February 28 to March 1, with the top four teams advancing into Elite.

Saudi Talent Making Its Mark

The Saudi duo of GntL and Hakem ‘KnoX’ Al-Shaibani have been steadily building reputations since the Middle East’s integration into the EMEA circuit.

GntL reached the Elite Stage 1 Playoffs earlier this season under the Night Vibes banner, finishing inside the top eight. That result signalled that Middle Eastern players are not just participating, they are genuinely competing.

KnoX, while missing Stage 1 Elite qualification, has been consistently strong in online cups. During the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 season, he has not placed lower than top six across the three cups he has entered. That level of consistency makes him one of the more reliable prospects coming into this new project.

Proven Experience From The CDL Stage

Paul ‘PaulEhx’ Avila brings high-level experience to FaZe Falcons. The former London Royal Ravens and Minnesota Rokkr player is no stranger to competing at the top level of the Call of Duty League.

More recently, PaulEhx represented Team Falcons White and secured a second-place finish in the Elite Stage 1 Playoffs. That near-title run adds valuable leadership and composure to a roster blending emerging talent with seasoned experience.

Swooty, meanwhile, has been representing Stallions throughout early 2025 in both online and LAN tournaments. In February, the squad earned a top 24 finish at the CDC Dallas Open, collecting 3,000 Challengers Points. While not a podium result, it keeps the momentum going heading into this new chapter.

Why Academy Teams Matter In Call Of Duty

In recent seasons, organisations such as Boston Breach and New York Subliners have fielded academy rosters in Challengers, using the circuit to scout and develop future CDL starters.

For Stallions and FaZe Clan, aligning with Riyadh Falcons strengthens that pathway. It also continues the growing influence of Saudi-backed organisations within global esports, particularly in Call of Duty.

A Cross-Regional Statement In Challengers

What makes FaZe Falcons stand out is not just the branding, but the cross-regional nature of the line-up. With Saudi Arabian and Mexican players competing in the North American circuit, this is a clear signal that Challengers is becoming more international and more competitive.

If the roster can convert online consistency into Elite placements, FaZe Falcons could quickly move from headline announcement to genuine title contender.

For now, all eyes are on the February 28 qualifiers. That is where the FaZe Falcons Call of Duty Challengers team will begin proving whether this high-profile partnership can deliver results to match the hype.

The post FaZe Falcons Launch Call Of Duty Challengers Team With Riyadh Falcons appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FaZe Clan’s Kris “Swagg” Lamberson is bringing the heat to TwitchCon San Diego 2025 with a massive $25,000 2v2 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 tournament, giving fans a chance to see their favourite FaZe creators go head-to-head live on stage.

Proud to announce I will be hosting another LAN this year!!

💰$25,000💰 2v2 FaZe Clan SND Tournament @TwitchCon 🎮

Come and see ALL your favorite FaZe Clan members battle it out for their share of the prize pool! https://t.co/zNtHmNmWpw pic.twitter.com/98D0H5fJio

— FaZe Swagg ☢️ (@Swagg) October 15, 2025

A Star-Studded Showdown at TwitchCon

Swagg announced the event on X, revealing that he’ll once again be hosting his own LAN tournament this year. The FaZe Clan Search and Destroy LAN will see several members of the organisation’s creator division competing for a slice of the $25,000 prize pool, all taking place during TwitchCon San Diego.

The tournament will feature a who’s who of FaZe’s most popular personalities, with fans expecting appearances from creators like FaZe Kaysan and others from the team’s content lineup.

Part of a Packed TwitchCon Weekend

TwitchCon San Diego 2025 kicks off on October 18, marking the convention’s 10th anniversary since its first event in San Francisco back in 2015. Alongside FaZe Swagg’s event, TwitchCon will also host FaZe Kaysan’s own $25,000 2v2 Black Ops 6 tournament, this time spotlighting esports teams like FaZe Vegas, OpTic Texas, Team Falcons, and the Los Angeles Thieves.

TwitchCon is shaping up to be a weekend packed with esports excitement. Fans can also look forward to Twitch Rivals tournaments across multiple titles including Marvel Rivals, Street Fighter 6, and GeoGuessr. Meanwhile, indie studio Bad Guitar Studios is hosting the Punk Clash Cup, a community FragPunk tournament open to all attendees on the show floor.

How to Attend TwitchCon San Diego

Tickets for TwitchCon San Diego 2025 are available via Ticket Fairy, with add-ons like the Saturday Block Party available for $125. Attendees can also link their Twitch accounts to earn referral rewards or discounts by sharing their ticket links with friends.

Fans unable to attend in person won’t miss out, the FaZe Clan LAN will be streamed live on Swagg’s Twitch channel, letting everyone tune in for the intense 2v2 Search and Destroy matches and behind-the-scenes fun.

Call of Duty Fans Get One More Off-Season Blast

Swagg’s LAN serves as one of the final Black Ops 6 tournaments before the Call of Duty esports calendar shifts toward Black Ops 7 and the start of the new Call of Duty League (CDL) season this December.

With two FaZe-hosted LANs, massive prize pools, and live fan engagement, TwitchCon San Diego 2025 is shaping up to be a highlight of the gaming year, and a perfect send-off before the next era of Call of Duty competition begins.

The post FaZe Swagg Brings $25,000 Call of Duty LAN to TwitchCon San Diego 2025 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The Toronto Ultra is turning up the heat once again. The Call of Duty League franchise has officially announced the return of its Hot Drop Warzone tournament, featuring a $25,000 prize pool and support from Monster Gaming.

The second annual Toronto Ultra Hot Drop kicks off on October 7th, 2025, marking the first major Call of Duty: Warzone competition since the World Series of Warzone Global Final earlier this year.

Is it hot in here or is it just us? 🔥

We’re partnering with @TorontoUltra for the second year in a row to bring you the Toronto Ultra Hot Drop, kicking off tomorrow at 5PM EST/2PM PST!

Be sure to tune in to catch all the action! pic.twitter.com/8CrDXgmX0D

— Monster Gaming (@MonsterGaming) October 6, 2025

Big Names, Big Prizes

Teams will compete in trios on Verdansk for their share of the $25,000 (~NZ$42,000) prize pool, with the champions pocketing $10,000 (~NZ$17,000). Scoring will follow a familiar format, with one point per elimination and a multiplier based on placement:

• 1st: 2x
• 2nd–5th: 1.8x
• 6th–10th: 1.4x
• 11th–20th: 1.4x
• 21st–30th: 1.2x
• 31st and below: 1x

Like last year, the Hot Drop will use the match point system. That means once a team reaches the target score, they’ll need to win the next match to seal the championship.

This year, Shifty returns to defend his title with a new trio: Riley “zSmit” Smith and Logan “Skullface” Greifelt. With Biffle retiring from competition, all eyes will be on this fresh lineup to see if lightning can strike twice.

The State of Warzone Esports

While Activision has yet to confirm whether the World Series of Warzone circuit will return in 2026, third-party organisers like Toronto Ultra are keeping the competitive scene alive. Recent months have seen new organisations like Gen.G entering the Warzone space, showing there’s still plenty of momentum for community-driven events.

This grassroots energy mirrors the renewed excitement seen in other FPS scenes, such as Counter-Strike, where streamer Erik “fl0m” Flom recently announced his own community-driven LAN, the $30,000 Mythical LAN in Las Vegas.

With Monster Gaming’s backing and a prize pool that guarantees high-stakes action, the Toronto Ultra Hot Drop looks set to be one of Warzone’s biggest post-season showdowns yet. Fans can tune in when the competition goes live on October 7th at 5PM EST (2PM PST) to catch all the chaos unfold.

The post Toronto Ultra and Monster Gaming Team Up for $25,000 Warzone Hot Drop appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Treyarch has finally revealed the dates for the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta, giving players a chance to dive into the game weeks before its official launch. Whether you’re planning to preorder or simply jump in during the free trial, there are now clear dates for when you’ll be able to play.

When Does the Black Ops 7 Beta Start?

Image Credit: Activision Blizzard

The Black Ops 7 Beta kicks off with Early Access on Thursday, 2 October at 10 AM PT (6 PM BST). This period will run until 5 October, giving players 72 hours of exclusive time before the Beta opens up to everyone.

From 5–8 October, the Open Beta will be available across all platforms, letting anyone try out the new entry without needing a preorder. Unlike previous years, this year’s Beta won’t stretch across two weekends, but the near week-long schedule still gives plenty of time to test the game.

How to Get Early Access

If you want to secure a spot in Early Access, there are two main options.

1. Preorder Black Ops 7: Preordering any edition of the game will grant you Beta access. If you preorder digitally, your account will automatically be flagged for Early Access. If you go for a physical copy, you’ll receive a redeemable code from your retailer.
2. Xbox Game Pass: Anyone subscribed to PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will also get Early Access, making it another straightforward way to play without a separate purchase.

What to Expect in the Beta

The Beta will give players a first look at Black Ops 7 multiplayer, with a taste of maps, modes and the new features coming at launch. Treyarch has already confirmed 16 multiplayer maps and 30 weapons will be available when the full game drops, though the Beta will only include a limited selection.

Black Ops 7 also builds on Black Ops 6’s Omnimovement system by adding wall jumps, giving players even more movement options. This change could end up creating a bigger skill gap and shake up the Call of Duty League once pros start competing.

Vault Edition, Progression and Carryover

The game officially launches on 14 November 2025, but players can already preorder the Standard Edition, Cross-Gen Bundle or Vault Edition. The Vault Edition comes with bonus in-game items like a unique Operator and a Mastercraft Weapon Collection.

Treyarch has also shared a Community Update, promising stronger anti-cheat measures and better communication with the community. On top of that, Double XP tokens and GobbleGums from Black Ops 6 will carry over into Black Ops 7, though operators, skins and weapons won’t transfer in order to keep the sequel feeling fresh and authentic.

Call of Duty Esports and Black Ops 7

As with every new Call of Duty release, Black Ops 7 will become the foundation for the Call of Duty League (CDL) moving forward. With the confirmed maps, weapons and enhanced movement mechanics, this year’s competitive season could look very different. The ability to wall jump adds a layer of strategy that could separate the best players in the world from the rest, raising the ceiling for pro-level play.

When to Learn More

Fans can expect a deeper dive into Black Ops 7 multiplayer, Zombies, and campaign details during Call of Duty: NEXT on 30 September.

Mark your calendars 🗓️

✅ COD NEXT
✅ WSOW
✅ Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Bowl VI pic.twitter.com/glI4kVuheT

— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) August 20, 2025

For now, the countdown to the Beta is on, and whether you secure Early Access or wait for the Open Beta, October is shaping up to be an exciting month for Call of Duty fans.

The post Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Beta: How and When You Can Play Early appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek, one of the biggest names in FPS streaming, hasn’t held back when it comes to his thoughts on Call of Duty esports. During a recent stream, while playing Battlefield 2042 of all things, he claimed that CoD’s competitive scene “lacks depth” and has become stale.

Shroud on Call of Duty esports

also smokes and snipers are banned in COD pro games so thats kinda weird pic.twitter.com/SWDjYR1PJp

— Shroud Updates (@ShroudUpdate) August 20, 2025

According to Shroud, pro players lean on the same old tricks that have worked for years, which makes high-level matches feel repetitive and hard to tell apart. He even went as far as saying you can’t really distinguish one player from another anymore, everyone’s playing at such a high level that the differences are blurred.

“Call of Duty on paper should be one of the biggest esports in the world. The main reason it’s not, is because the game lacks depth. You just hold Mouse 1 and dropshot sometimes,” Shroud said.

His comments sparked mixed reactions across the CoD community. While plenty agreed with his point, others argued that with a trained eye you can spot the nuances between players. OpTic Texas analyst JohnPaul “JPKrez” Krez pushed back, saying the skill gap is still noticeable. Former Toronto Ultra pro Ben “Beans” McMellon went further, claiming CoD was never really built for competitive play in the first place, especially when compared to esports giants like CS:GO or League of Legends.

None of these are CODs real problems though…

COD just isn’t built for competitive and never will be unlike other games like CS and LoL.

The esport will just never reach the heights that it could man. https://t.co/jvTKCN4xkl

— Ben Beans (@BeansMCM) August 20, 2025

Why CoD Esports Feels Restrictive

One of the biggest complaints is how restrictive competitive Call of Duty has become. Maps, weapons, and even whole gun categories are regularly banned, leaving players with the same narrow pool of tools. That leads to matches looking nearly identical, aside from the players behind the mouse and keyboard.

New mechanics could shake things up, but Activision has often been hesitant to introduce major changes because the community tends to be split. Just look at the reaction to Black Ops 6’s “omnimovement.” Even the recent reveal of Black Ops 7 at Gamescom didn’t escape heavy criticism, despite fan-favourite maps like Raid returning.

Battlefield’s Shadow

Some reckon Battlefield’s resurgence has only made CoD look worse. With Battlefield 6 pulling huge numbers during its open beta weekends, players started comparing the two franchises more than ever. Shroud himself only noticed CoD’s flaws after spending time with BF6.

Shroud on Battlefield 6 vs 2042

“Try to play 2042 now and you’re gunna appreciate the Battlefield 6 beta a lot… deada$$” pic.twitter.com/JEylHVjHzG

— Jake Lucky (@JakeSucky) August 14, 2025

Still, despite the criticism, CoD esports is far from dead. The Call of Duty League continues to pull massive viewership, and the release of Black Ops 7 could add some much-needed variety with its new movement mechanics and weapon arsenal. Whether that’ll be enough to silence critics like Shroud remains to be seen.

The post “You Just Hold Mouse 1 and Dropshot”: Shroud Says Call of Duty Isn’t Built for Esports appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

British Call of Duty pro Charlie “Hicksy” Hicks has officially hung up the controller, closing the chapter on a career that took him from grinding in Challengers to lifting a trophy on the biggest stage.

Lived it. Loved it.
Farewell beautiful game.

In all seriousness, i think it’s time for me to step away from playing Call of Duty. It was a dream of mine growing up to be able to compete against the players i watched every single day, but i never truly believed i would make it,… pic.twitter.com/DR0vGMUjaO

— Hicksy (@Hiicksy_) August 7, 2025

For Hicksy, those achievements were far from ordinary. He became the first player since Scump and Bobby in Black Ops 1 to win his very first pro LAN, took home the sixth-highest rookie season placement average in CDL history, and reached the Grand Finals in his debut Champs, joining an elite list of just five players to ever do so.

Hicksy has officially announced his retirement from competitive Call of Duty.

– First player since Scump & Bobby in BO1 to win his first pro LAN.
– 6th highest average placement in a rookie season ever (3.25)
– 1 of 5 players in CDL history to make the Grand Finals of his debut… https://t.co/HJtfG059Dt

— Brian (@BrianStats1) August 7, 2025

From Challengers to Champs

Hicksy’s journey was anything but smooth. He spent over seven years grinding the Call of Duty Challengers circuit before finally breaking into the CDL in 2022 with Toronto Ultra. Starting out as a sub for Ultra Academy NA, he soon earned a spot on the main roster, and wasted no time making history, winning CDL Major 3 in 2023.

5 LANs
5 Finals
3 🏆🏆🏆 https://t.co/0LSIo6Ti6m

— Hicksy (@Hiicksy_) March 14, 2023

That same season, he helped Ultra reach the CDL Championship Grand Final, ultimately finishing runners-up to the NY Subliners. The second-place finish came with a hefty $660,000 prize, the biggest payday of his career.

But the CDL can be unforgiving. Just days after that high point, Ultra chose not to extend his contract. Hicksy wouldn’t return to the League until 2025, briefly playing with Vancouver Surge before being replaced early in the season. His last competitive appearance came with FiveFears at the Esports World Cup, where they placed 5–8th.

A respected teammate, a lasting legacy

The news of his retirement sparked tributes from across the scene. Fellow Brit Ben “Beans” McMellon shared a LAN photo of the two, while Byron “Nastie” Plumridge and former teammate Scrap offered their own words of support. Toronto Ultra also wished their former player well, thanking him for his time with the team.

We wish you nothing but the best in whatever you do next Chaz 💜 pic.twitter.com/jQzPTFFySD

— Toronto Ultra (@TorontoUltra) August 7, 2025

In his farewell, Hicksy made it clear that while stepping away wasn’t easy, it’s far from the end of his story.

“Although I’m filled with sadness that it’s over, I keep reminding myself that as one door closes, another opens, and I’m looking forward to whatever is next for me.”

Whatever that next chapter is, the Call of Duty community will remember Hicksy not just for his wins, but for the passion, resilience, and friendships he built along the way.

The post Hicksy Retires from Competitive Call of Duty: “Lived it. Loved it.” appeared first on Shane the Gamer.