The latest edition of the Call of Duty League (CDL) trading cards for the 2022-23 season has hit the shelves, or rather, Upper Deck’s website. As fans eagerly await the finalized checklist, they can expect to see a lineup showcasing players and sensational moments from Call of Duty: Vanguard and Modern Warfare 2, keeping true to last year’s format.
This release carries special significance as it introduces trading cards for the Boston Breach, who made their debut during the Vanguard season, as well as OpTic Texas, born from the merger of Dallas Empire and OpTic Gaming. Enthusiasts are also buzzing about the possibility of rookie cards for emerging stars like Scrap and potentially his teammate Ghosty, pending the final checklist reveal.
The narrative of Call of Duty and trading cards intertwines a rich history. The competitive Call of Duty landscape traces its roots back to 2003 when the franchise took its initial steps. However, it wasn’t until 2019, with the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, that the official Call of Duty League came into existence. Since then, the CDL has elevated city-based teams and structured competition to the forefront of esports.
In 2022, Upper Deck joined forces with the CDL to release a trading card set featuring players from the Modern Warfare (2019) and Cold War seasons. While this wasn’t the first foray into Call of Duty trading cards, the collaboration between Call of Duty and Mountain Dew Game Fuel in 2021 also resulted in a special card set spotlighting top players like Seth “Scump” Abner and Thomas “ZooMaa” Paparatto.
Unveiling yet another chapter in esports collectibles, Upper Deck has entrenched itself in the realm of gaming, boasting licenses for both the Call of Duty League and the Overwatch League. Over the years, the company has presented various trading card sets, including unique offerings such as the 2022 Upper Deck Call of Duty Game Dated Moments series. This print-on-demand collection encapsulated crucial moments and rookies, such as Amer “Pred” Zulbeari, pivotal in OpTic Texas’s World Championship victory.
The current release of the 2022-23 trading cards coincides with the sixth season of the Call of Duty League, showcasing a continued evolution from its predecessor, the Call of Duty World League. Before the CDL’s inception with a city-based format, esports organizations navigated open tournaments with diverse rosters, presenting a more unpredictable competitive landscape.
As the buzz around the latest trading cards mounts, fans and players alike find themselves caught up in the whirlwind of excitement. Some professional gamers have even expressed their thrill at collecting the cards, contributing an additional layer of engagement to the vibrant CDL community.
For enthusiasts of the game and keen collectors, this year’s trading card set represents a chance to own a slice of Call of Duty League history. Venture to Upper Deck’s website, dive into the collection, and secure your favorite cards from the 2022-23 season before they vanish into the hands of dedicated fans and collectors alike.
