In a thrilling finale to a high-octane, four-day battle in Kitchener, Canada, OpTic Texas wrote their name into the annals of esports history by becoming the first Call of Duty League team ever to win back-to-back world championships. Their dominant 5–3 win over the Vancouver Surge in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Grand Final not only solidified record-breaking history but also highlighted new stars, composure under fire, and brilliance on strategy.
Hosted at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium with a $2 million prize on the line, the 2025 CDL Championship welcomed the season’s best eight-performing teams. Included were heavyweights such as Atlanta FaZe, LA Thieves, and, naturally, the two finalists—OpTic Texas and Vancouver Surge. Picked up on momentum after going undefeated in the winner’s bracket, OpTic took their form into the season’s biggest stage.
The last to open up was Hacienda Hardpoint, which OpTic’s SMG pair Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro and Cuyler “Huke” Garland controlled from the get-go. Their aggressive map rotating and pure gun skill overpowered Vancouver to lock down a decisive 250–151 victory.
But the Surge responded quickly with a virtually flawless comeback. Jordan “Abuzah” François led a clinical effort in Dealership Search and Destroy, breaking down OpTic with a perfect 6–0 sweep that left the arena reeling and levelled the series. The third map, Protocol Control, was taken to its fullest extent, and in a close game despite Vancouver’s efforts, OpTic took it 3–2 to take the lead once again.
Next up was Vault Hardpoint, and that was one of the hottestly contested maps of the day. Each team exchanged hills and streaks, but OpTic again displayed why their Hardpoint win percentage ranked first in the league this year, with a 250–230 win that put them two maps up.
Far from over, Vancouver mounted a vicious comeback. They took Protocol Search and Destroy in thriller fashion, taking it in round eleven in nail-biting fashion, and followed that up with a second 3–2 Control victory that tied the series back at 3–3. The momentum appeared to be shifting.
But OpTic answered with championship credentials. In Hacienda Search and Destroy, Shotzzy led a ferocious playstyle that featured unconventional underwater flanks, securing a 6–2 victory that took them one step closer to becoming champions.
The final test came on Rewind Hardpoint. Vancouver started strong, capitalizing on early rotations and mid-map control, but OpTic’s composure under pressure was unmatched. As the map progressed, their communication and coordination tightened, allowing them to wrestle back the lead and close the series with a 250–215 win.
This victory meant more to OpTic Texas than simply another championship trophy; this was a crowning moment. They became the first-ever team to achieve back-to-back CDL Championship titles with this win, assuming dynasty status as part of the franchise era. For head coach Damon “Karma” Barlow, this victory was his fifth world championship—three as a player and now two as a coach, shouting his dynasty status among Call of Duty’s all-time best.
The event also shone a light on the emergence of Mason “Mercules” Ramsey. A last-minute addition to the OpTic team, Mercules made the most of the opportunity with a game-changing performance and was given the MVP of the Grand Final award. His accurate marksmanship and game sense were critical in OpTic’s map dominance through the tournament, placing him among the most exciting up-and-coming young stars in the league.
Shotzzy, who is already considered one of the most talented FPS players his age, wrote another chapter in his illustrious career. At 23, he was the youngest player to capture three Call of Duty world championships, in addition to his previous Halo World Championship, making him one of the most decorated young players in esports.
Brandon “Dashy” Otell and Huke each claimed their second world championships. Huke previously won it in 2020, and Dashy is doing it in the 2024 season. Their continued dominance brought stability to a roster that blended old guard with fresh talent perfectly.