Who are the favorites in the betting odds ahead of CDL Major 1 2026? Here’s what you need to know in our preview!
The first Major of the 2026 Call of Duty League (CDL) season is finally here. CDL Major 1 kicks off on Thursday, with the defending World Champions OpTic Texas back on their home turf. However, they are not the favorites in the betting odds nor are the Los Angeles Thieves, who many touted as one of the best teams heading into the 2026 season.
So, who are the favorites, and which teams are not getting enough attention in the betting market? There's a lot to digest before the competition begins on Thursday, so here's what you should know.
FaZe and Gentle Mates top the betting odds for CDL Major 1 2026
The Paris Gentle Mates (+250) and Atlanta FaZe (+275) are neck and neck in the betting odds ahead of Major 1. However, those may vary by betting site. It's easy to see why, considering they finished Stage 1 first and second in the standings. That has left both with winnable matchups against the Toronto KOI and G2 Minnesota, respectively, in round one.
First-round wins by these two teams would pit them against the winners of the Thieves/Royal Ravens and OpTic/Falcons matchups. Regardless of the outcome of those two series, Paris and Atlanta will likely be the favorites should they defeat their first-round opponents.
Although the odds aren't particularly appealing, the Gentle Mates and FaZe have a path to the Grand Finals if they do their jobs. However, in Call of Duty, this early in the season, anything is possible.
What about OpTic Texas?
The sentiment around OpTic Texas (+300) has been mostly negative over the last few weeks. Following the holiday break, OpTic has managed a record of 1-3, with their only win coming against the Seattle Surge. They dropped series to the Carolina Royal Ravens, Los Angeles Thieves, and FaZe Vegas.
As a result, the +300 betting odds on OpTic make sense, but they are still the CDL Major 1 home team. They will have the home crowd advantage and will enjoy a ring ceremony honoring their 2025 World Championship victory. The odds again aren't incredibly appealing, but a wager on OpTic is acceptable.
Who are the CDL Major 1 betting odds underdogs?
It's challenging to see any team from the Elimination Bracket making a run to the Grand Finals, but again, anything is possible. Finding a worthwhile team to throw a dart at is also difficult since the odds are so tight at the top.
The longest shots that could potentially win are either the Carolina Royal Ravens (+800) or the Riyadh Falcons (+1400). Carolina has looked incredible since the retirement of Austin "SlasheR" Liddicoat and the subsequent addition of Kaden "Exceed" Stockdale.
They finished stage 1 on a 5-0 run, including wins over the Los Angeles Thieves and OpTic Texas. It's fair to question how well they may perform in a LAN environment, but a win over the Thieves in the Winners' Bracket puts them in a solid position.
On the flipside of the bracket is the Riyadh Falcons, who surprised everyone in Stage 1. On their new roster, the Falcons have not lost a match since Dec. 7 and even secured a win over the Gentle Mates. They will have a tough task in round one, where they will face the home team, OpTic Texas.
Be sure to tune in on Thursday and all weekend to see how the action-packed CDL Major 1 plays out!
