The anticipation is over for fans of the Call of Duty League (CDL) as the 2022-23 season trading cards have officially hit the shelves on Upper Deck’s website. The latest release is expected to showcase players and highlights from Call of Duty: Vanguard and Modern Warfare 2, mirroring the successful format of the previous year’s collection.
One of the most exciting aspects of this release is the introduction of trading cards for newcomers such as the Boston Breach and OpTic Texas. The Boston Breach made their debut in the Vanguard season, while OpTic Texas emerged from the merger of Dallas Empire and OpTic Gaming. Fans are eagerly awaiting rookie cards for standout players like Scrap and the possibility of seeing his teammate Ghosty featured in the finalized checklist.
The history of competitive Call of Duty and trading cards can be traced back to the franchise’s inception in 2003. The official Call of Duty League was established in 2019 with the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, ushering in city-based teams and structured esports competition.
In 2022, Upper Deck teamed up with CDL to introduce a trading card set featuring players from the Modern Warfare (2019) and Cold War seasons. While this partnership was groundbreaking, Call of Duty had previously collaborated with Mountain Dew Game Fuel in 2021 for a special set of trading cards spotlighting top players like Seth “Scump” Abner and Thomas “ZooMaa” Paparatto.
Upper Deck has solidified its place in the esports collectibles realm by holding licenses for both the Call of Duty League and the Overwatch League. The company has released numerous trading card sets over the years, including innovative offerings like the 2022 Upper Deck Call of Duty Game Dated Moments series, which showcased key moments and rising stars in the scene such as Amer “Pred” Zulbeari.
The release of the 2022-23 trading cards coincides with the sixth season of the Call of Duty League, marking a continued evolution from its predecessor, the Call of Duty World League. Prior to the CDL’s city-based format, esports organizations competed with open rosters in tournaments, creating a dynamic and varied competitive landscape.
Enthusiasm is palpable within the CDL community as fans and players alike eagerly collect the latest trading cards. Professional players have expressed their excitement for adding the cards to their own collections, underscoring the deep engagement and passion within the vibrant CDL community.
For gaming enthusiasts and collectors, this year’s collection presents a unique opportunity to own a piece of Call of Duty League history. Head to Upper Deck’s website to discover the full range of trading cards from the 2022-23 season and secure your favorite pieces before they’re gone.
