Cloud9’s Call of Duty League (CDL) operations have entered a new phase after Cloud9 New York released its entire 2026 roster following a difficult start to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 season. The decision comes ahead of the Major 2 qualifiers as the franchise seeks to reset its competitive outlook after disappointing results.
Roster Release After Poor Performance
After a 1-6 record in Major 1 qualifiers, with the team’s sole win coming in Week 5 against Vancouver Surge, Cloud9 New York announced that all four players – Reece “Vivid” Drost, Ben “Beans” McMellon, Mackenzie “Mack” Kelley and Marcus “Afro” Reid – are now free agents. The organization has not yet publicly announced replacements.
The move follows earlier reports that the franchise would release its complete roster in preparation for a full rebuild, marking one of the most dramatic mid-season overhauls in CDL history.
Efforts to Rebuild the Team
According to recent insider reports, Cloud9 is exploring loan options and potential signings as it restructures its Call of Duty roster. The organization is reportedly in discussions about loaning young Saudi star Saud “qk4b” Alotaibi from the Riyadh Falcons, with the Falcons potentially covering his expenses. Cloud9 is also believed to be evaluating other prospects, such as Jonathan “Renegade” Willette and Nicholas “Kips” Lyons, though nothing is confirmed yet.
These moves highlight Cloud9’s attempt to assemble a competitive yet cost-manageable roster under tight timing, given that the Major 2 qualifiers are approaching.
Season Context and Competitive Landscape
The 2026 CDL season, spanning from December 5, 2025 to July 19, 2026, features 12 franchises competing across four Majors and numerous qualifier windows. Paris Gentle Mates currently leads as Major 1 champion, and the next online qualifiers for Major 2 are scheduled from February 13 to March 22, 2026. Teams must perform consistently in these events to secure positioning for the CDL Championship later in the season.
Cloud9’s struggles in the opening qualifiers left them in the lower reaches of the standings, prompting the reset and urgent rebuild.
Community and Fan Response
The roster overhaul has drawn significant attention within the competitive community, with fans debating the organization’s long-term strategy and whether the Black Ops 7 competitive cycle will allow sufficient time for Cloud9 to recover. Social media chatter reflects both skepticism about the rebuild’s timing and hope that new talent acquisitions could eventually stabilize the franchise’s performance.
Merchandising and Fan Support
While competitive restructuring is underway, Cloud9 continues to engage its fan base through merchandise and team bundles. The Cloud9 New York Team Pack 2026 – featuring Operator skins, weapon charms, badges, sprays and other in-game content – remains available in the Call of Duty Store, allowing supporters to represent the franchise in Black Ops 7.
Cloud9’s Call of Duty chapter, revived in 2024 through acquisition of the New York-based slot, now faces a pivotal mid-season test. The success of its rebuild strategy ahead of Major 2 will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as the 2026 CDL campaign continues.
