Open Season: Challengers Crash the Major III Pro‑Am Field
The 16‑team field for the CDL Major III Pro‑Am is officially locked in, and four Challenger squads have earned their shot on the big stage. Joining the 12 league teams in Atlanta are ROC Esports, Project Notorious, OMiT Noir, and Huntsmen, each qualifying through a very different path that speaks to their determination this season.
The Saudi squad, ROC Esports, headline the amateur contingent after winning the Major II Open, grinding through a stacked bracket to punch their ticket and establish themselves as the best Challengers team in the World. Right behind them are Project Notorious, who finished second in the Birmingham Open & are stacked with professional talent.
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📸 Photo by @CODLeague
The final two spots were designated for the top teams in the regional Elite Tournaments. Europe will be represented by two of its strongest Challenger programs. OMiT Noir secured its spot through a second‑place finish in EMEA Elite Stage II, as ROC Esports would win in the Finals 4-3. The team is highlighted by two 18-year-old prodigies in DKxrryy and Ethan.
Rounding out the field, Huntsmen claimed their Pro‑Am berth with a Top‑2 placing in North American Elite Stage II as well, currently battling Project Notorious in the Finals. That means for the first time since MLG World Finals in 2015, OpTic will have two teams competing at a Major Call of Duty Tournament.
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📸 Photo by @CODLeague
With all four amateur teams confirmed, Major III now has a clear narrative: proven CDL franchises facing hungry Challengers who have already survived brutal qualification paths. Here are the complete AM rosters competing in Atlanta at the Pro AM:
ROC Esports (MENA)
Khalid "D7om"
Abdulrahman "D7oomx" Althunayan
Khalid "Khhx" Almadhi
Khalid "Rxld"
Project Notorious (North America)
Ben "Beans" McMellon
Conor "Diamondcon" Johst
Eric "EriKBooM" Ferrer
Eric "Snoopy" Pérez
Huntsmen (North America)
Carson "Brack" Newberry
Giancarlos "oJohnny" Carrasco
Jonathan "Renegade" Willette
Jared "Swooty" Najera