French esports powerhouse, Gentle Mates, is shaking up the Call of Duty League with a bold move. The franchise is relocating from Los Angeles to Paris for the 2026 season, aiming to make a significant impact in the competitive scene.
A New Era in Paris
Gentle Mates has not only shifted its base but also introduced an all-American lineup, featuring Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannon, a 2022 world champion. Officially revealed during their keynote broadcast on November 26th, 2025, the team includes talented players such as Daniel ‘Ghosty’ Rothe, Travis ‘Neptune’ McCloud, and Daunte ‘Sib’ Gray. They will compete under the Paris Gentle Mates banner in the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 season. This move highlights the start of a fresh chapter for the Call of Duty League, as the Black Ops 7 season will debut without any of the original team names from 2020.
Pre-Season Success and Future Plans
Before the official season kicks off on December 5th, the team showcased their skills by finishing second in the Monster Energy Launch Invitational. Competing as Still Orgless, they narrowly lost to OpTic Texas in the Grand Final. Additionally, Gentle Mates has announced that it will host the fourth Major of the season in Paris from June 25th to 28th. This event will see 12 franchises battling for a share of a $365,000 prize pool.
Gentle Mates In 2025
The previous season under the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 title was challenging for Gentle Mates, with their best result being a top-eight finish at Major 4 in May. However, with a revamped roster rich in experience and titles, the Paris Gentle Mates are poised to turn the tide and emerge as strong contenders in Black Ops 7.