OpTic Gaming has been crowned the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 champion at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris. The North American roster secured the title following a 4-3 series victory over Team Heretics, marking a successful end to their season.
Tournament Performance
The path to the podium was not straightforward for OpTic. After being relegated to the lower brackets by 100 Thieves during the Group Stage, the team climbed back through the playoffs. They eliminated FaZe Clan with a 4-0 sweep and defeated 100 Thieves 4-3 in the semifinals. In the grand final, OpTic claimed the trophy by winning the sixth game, a Hardpoint match, after a back-and-forth series against Team Heretics.
Quick Facts
- Tournament Venue: Paris, France (relocated from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, due to the Iran War).
- Grand Final Result: OpTic Gaming defeated Team Heretics 4-3.
- Third Place: 100 Thieves secured third, earning $210,000 and 500 Club Championship points after a reverse sweep against Team Falcons.
- MVP Award: Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro received the SONY MVP award for the second consecutive year, recording 655 kills and a $25,000 bonus.
Prize Distribution
The tournament concluded with significant payouts for the top teams. OpTic Gaming earned $600,000 for their win, while runner-up Team Heretics received $320,000 and 750 Club Championship points. 100 Thieves rounded out the top three, taking home $210,000.
Reflecting on the win, player Cuyler “Huke” Garland stated, “There’s a lot of history here in Paris for OpTic, but it feels really good to end the season on this note.”