Call of Duty Championship 2020: Dallas Empire Claims the First CDL Title

The 2020 Call of Duty League Championship marked a new era for competitive Call of Duty. As the first championship for the city-based Call of Duty League (CDL), the event brought the inaugural season to a close with a high-stakes tournament, a $4.6 million prize pool, and a decisive victory for Dallas Empire.

A Championship Shaped by an Unusual Season

The inaugural CDL season began with live events planned in different cities. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to move competition online, including its championship tournament. Played from August 19 to 30, 2020, the event featured the top eight teams from the season and was contested in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

The shift online made the championship unlike the large, in-person Call of Duty events that fans had come to expect. Even so, the tournament drew attention for its substantial prize pool and the chance to crown the first champion in the CDL era.

Dallas Empire’s Run to the Title

Dallas Empire entered the tournament with a talented roster featuring Crimsix, Clayster, Shotzzy, and iLLeY. The team advanced through the playoffs and reached the grand final against Atlanta FaZe, one of the season’s strongest competitors.

Dallas won the final 5–1 to secure the championship. The victory capped a standout season for the Empire and established the team as the first CDL champion. Atlanta FaZe finished as runner-up after an impressive tournament of its own.

Crimsix Earns Championship MVP

Empire’s Crimsix was named the championship’s Most Valuable Player. Already one of the most accomplished players in Call of Duty esports, he added another major achievement to his career by helping lead Dallas to the title.

The tournament also highlighted the impact of younger players on the league. Shotzzy, in particular, emerged as a key contributor for Dallas, combining sharp movement and mechanical skill with strong performances under pressure.

Prize Money and Lasting Significance

The 2020 championship offered $4.6 million in total prize money, making it one of the biggest prize pools in Call of Duty esports at the time. Dallas Empire received $1.5 million for first place, while Atlanta FaZe earned $900,000 as runner-up.

Beyond the results and prize money, the event represented an important milestone: the conclusion of the CDL’s first season and the beginning of a new chapter for the competitive scene. Its online format reflected the challenges of 2020, but the championship still delivered a clear champion and memorable moments for fans.

A Defining Moment in CDL History

The Call of Duty Championship 2020 stands out as the first title-deciding event of the Call of Duty League era. Dallas Empire’s 5–1 win over Atlanta FaZe, Crimsix’s MVP performance, and the record-setting prize pool made it a landmark tournament—even in a season that had to adapt to extraordinary circumstances.

9 Essential Insights into the 2020 Call of Duty Championship: Dallas Empire’s Victory and Key Strategies

Dallas Empire won the 2020 Call of Duty League Championship.
Atlanta FaZe finished as the runner-up.
The championship was played online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tournament featured Call of Duty
Crimsix earned Championship MVP honors.
Study the teams’ map and mode strengths before watching.
Pay attention to teamwork and coordinated objective play.
Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Domination shaped the matches.
Review the final for key plays and momentum shifts.

Dallas Empire won the 2020 Call of Duty League Championship.

Dallas Empire won the 2020 Call of Duty League Championship, defeating Atlanta FaZe in the grand final to become the league’s first champion. Led by veterans including Crimsix and Clayster, along with rising stars Shotzzy and iLLeY, the team capped off a strong season with a memorable championship victory.

Atlanta FaZe finished as the runner-up.

Atlanta FaZe finished as the runner-up at the 2020 Call of Duty League Championship after reaching the grand final against Dallas Empire. Despite a strong tournament run, FaZe fell 5–1 in the final, earning second place and a $900,000 share of the prize pool.

The championship was played online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 Call of Duty Championship was played online because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it a very different event from the in-person tournaments fans were used to. Despite the format change, the league brought together the top teams to compete for the season’s title, delivering an exciting finale while prioritizing safety.

The tournament featured Call of Duty

The 2020 Call of Duty Championship featured Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the game used throughout the inaugural Call of Duty League season. Its top eight teams competed online for the championship title and a share of the tournament’s $4.6 million prize pool.

Crimsix earned Championship MVP honors.

Crimsix earned Championship MVP honors at the 2020 Call of Duty League Championship after helping Dallas Empire capture the inaugural CDL title. His experience, leadership, and clutch performances were central to the team’s success, including its 5–1 victory over Atlanta FaZe in the grand final. The award added another major achievement to Crimsix’s already decorated competitive Call of Duty career.

Study the teams’ map and mode strengths before watching.

Before watching the 2020 Call of Duty Championship, take a moment to review each team’s strengths by map and game mode. Some squads performed especially well in objective modes such as Hardpoint or Search and Destroy, while others had clear advantages on particular maps. Knowing these matchups can help you understand why teams made certain picks and bans, anticipate how a series might unfold, and appreciate the strategy behind each round.

Pay attention to teamwork and coordinated objective play.

In the 2020 Call of Duty Championship, teamwork and coordinated objective play were essential to success. Teams that communicated clearly, shared information about enemy positions, and moved together could control key areas and support teammates during crucial moments. Rather than chasing individual kills, players needed to focus on objectives, time their pushes, and work as a unit to secure map control.

Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Domination shaped the matches.

Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Domination shaped the Call of Duty Championship 2020 by testing teams in different ways. Hardpoint rewarded coordinated rotations and control of changing capture zones, while Search and Destroy demanded careful strategy and precision because players had no respawns each round. Domination focused on holding objectives across the map, making teamwork and map control essential. Success across all three modes required teams to adapt quickly and play as a unit.

Review the final for key plays and momentum shifts.

Reviewing the 2020 Call of Duty Championship final between Dallas Empire and Atlanta FaZe is a great way to understand how the series unfolded. Watch for the key plays that helped Dallas build confidence, the moments when Atlanta tried to regain momentum, and how each team adapted between maps. Paying attention to objective control, player positioning, and clutch decisions can reveal why Dallas secured the 5–1 victory and offer useful lessons for your own gameplay.