SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
It has been revealed that Call of Duty is giving its legions of amateur esports gaming fans an opportunity to reach the game’s professional esports world championship thanks to the creation of a new league. 
The new Challenge division will be a tier below the game’s Pro Division. Those who shine in the league will gain the chance to take on pro gamers in promotion-relegation play-offs. If they’re successful they’ll earn their right to play against the Call of Duty gaming elite.
One difference between esports and traditional sports is the high level of exposure fans get with their favourite players and teams. This move by Call of Duty is thus suitably aimed at extending this, and allowing recreational COD players to take on the professionals.
This new amateur division, which’ll form a part of the game’s World League, gives amateur teams the chance to compete for cash prizes, and should they do well they’ll have the chance take on pros from across the world in the Call of Duty Championship. This championship consists of teams from North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific and has a prize pool of $1 million (£696,590).
The league’s first ever live event in Europe, the EGL Open, is coming up at the beginning of March. In addition to this there are numerous online events from February 20th and onwards into March with prize pots of up to £3,500 and World League points as rewards.
