The latest installment of the Call of Duty League (CDL) trading cards for the 2022-23 season has officially hit the shelves and is now up for grabs on the Upper Deck’s website. While the stellar checklist is still being fine-tuned, enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating a lineup that will showcase players and moments from Call of Duty: Vanguard and Modern Warfare 2, aligning with the template established by last year’s edition.
This release unveils a momentous occasion as it introduces trading cards for the first time for the Boston Breach, a team that made its debut during the Vanguard season, as well as OpTic Texas, emerging from the fusion of Dallas Empire and OpTic Gaming. Fans are also holding their breath for the inclusion of rookie cards for standout performers like Scrap and potentially his teammate Ghosty, contingent on the finalization of the checklist.
Delving into the history of Call of Duty and trading cards, the competitive scene for Call of Duty traces back to the franchise’s roots in 2003. However, the official inception of the Call of Duty League took place in 2019 with the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Since then, the CDL has advanced the culture of esports by spotlighting city-based teams and structured competitions.
In 2022, Upper Deck joined forces with CDL to unveil a trading card set featuring players from the Modern Warfare (2019) and Cold War seasons. While this marked the onset of their collaboration, it wasn’t the pioneer initiative in Call of Duty trading cards. In 2021, a collaboration between Call of Duty and Mountain Dew Game Fuel led to the release of a special card set spotlighting top players like Seth “Scump” Abner and Thomas “ZooMaa” Paparatto.
No stranger to the domain of esports collectibles, Upper Deck holds licenses for both the Call of Duty League and the Overwatch League. Over the years, the company has rolled out various trading card sets, including unique offerings such as the 2022 Upper Deck Call of Duty Game Dated Moments series. This particular print-on-demand set showcased pivotal moments and rookies, like Amer “Pred” Zulbeari, a pivotal player in OpTic Texas’s triumph at the World Championship.
The present release of the 2022-23 trading cards aligns with the Call of Duty League’s sixth season, tracing its evolution from its forerunner, the Call of Duty World League. Prior to the CDL’s transition to a city-based format, esports organizations entered the arena with rosters for open tournaments, infusing a sense of unpredictability and diversity into the competitive landscape.
As the newest trading cards hit the market, a wave of enthusiasm sweeps through fans and players alike. Some professional players have even shared their zeal for collecting these cards, adding an additional layer of involvement to the vibrant community of CDL.
For aficionados of the game and ardent collectors, this year’s collection presents an opportunity to possess a fragment of Call of Duty League history. Venture to Upper Deck’s website today to immerse yourself in the assortment and secure your most coveted cards from the 2022-23 season!
