OpTic Gaming is taking the competitive gaming scene by storm again! The renowned esports organization has teamed up with Monster Energy to deliver an electrifying Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 tournament. This partnership promises to elevate the excitement levels for fans around the world.
OpTic Gaming has joined forces with energy drink brand Monster Energy to host a Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 tournament. The inaugural edition of First Cup V (FCV) will feature 16 teams competing for a share of a $25,000 (~£19,079) prize pool.
### The Tournament Structure
Announced on November 18th, 2025, this eagerly anticipated event kicks off with four rounds of open qualifiers. Gamers can participate through platforms like StartGG, CODAgent, Play Rivals Gaming, and Console King from November 20th to 24th. Following the qualifiers, eight formidable teams will secure their spot in the main event, set for November 28th, where they’ll clash with eight pre-invited teams whose identities remain under wraps.
The tournament is set to offer a thrilling experience with its “variant” status in the Black Ops 7 cycle. The three game modes from the 2025/26 Call of Duty League (CDL) season—Overload, Hardpoint, and Search and Destroy—will headline the competitive play.
OpTic Gaming isn’t the only name diving into pre-season tournaments. The popular Call of Duty esports show, The Flank, also hosted a $20,000 invitational event, witnessing the victory of Mason ‘Mercules’ Ramsey, Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell, José ‘ReeaL’ Fernández, and Joseph ‘JoeDeceives’ Romero.
### Monster Energy And Call of Duty
OpTic Gaming first linked up with Monster Energy in June 2025, aiming to bring fresh content and activations to fans. The collaboration includes the visibility of Monster’s brand across various platforms and content from OpTic’s social media channels.
Monster Energy is not stopping there; it’s expanding its footprint in Call of Duty esports. The brand is set to host the Monster Energy Launch Invitational, a pre-season competition bringing together all 12 Call of Duty League franchises alongside four ambitious amateur teams, marking another exciting venture in competitive gaming.