Putting CDL Majors overseas sounds exciting on paper, but I think we need to seriously consider what this could mean for the organizations and players trying to compete.
For established organizations, the added travel is already a major expense. For smaller and developing organizations, it could completely change whether they can realistically participate.
Now you’re looking at international flights for 4 players, coaches, staff, potentially content creators, lodging, transportation, visas/passports, food, practice facilities, PC rentals, and additional days away from home. That can turn one event into a massive financial commitment before a single map is played.
And it’s not just the cost of getting there.
International events require more planning. Players may need passports, visas depending on the country, additional travel days, insurance considerations, equipment logistics, and contingency plans for delayed or canceled flights. Organizations also have to account for currency differences and potentially higher costs once they arrive.
For an organization investing in a developing roster, that’s a huge risk.
A team could spend thousands just to get to a Major, potentially without knowing whether they’ll even make it through the event or generate enough revenue to offset the cost. Smaller organizations don’t have the same sponsorship budgets, investor backing, or resources as the biggest names in esports.
And there’s another side people don’t always talk about: the barrier to entry.
If competing internationally becomes the expectation, some organizations may simply decide it’s not financially sustainable to build teams in the first place. That means fewer organizations willing to invest in players, fewer opportunities for developing talent, and potentially a smaller competitive ecosystem.
I’m not saying international Majors should never happen. Global events can be incredible for the CDL and the players.
But there needs to be a balance.
If you want organizations to invest in players, build rosters, develop talent, create content, and grow the ecosystem, the competitive structure also has to make it financially realistic for them to do so.
You can’t ask organizations to keep investing at the grassroots level while continuously increasing the cost of participating at the highest level.
International Majors could create incredible moments for the scene..but the financial and logistical burden on the organizations needs to be part of the conversation too. Let’s fix this please 🙏
@Activision @Treyarch @CallofDuty