Paris Gentle Mates complete lower bracket run to win

Paris Gentle Mates claimed the CDL Major 1 2026 championship, securing their first major LAN title of the 2025/26 Call of Duty League season. The French-based franchise defeated OpTic Texas in a thrilling 4–3 Grand Final, marking a historic moment for the team following its relocation to Paris. The victory highlights the squad’s rapid rise and growing presence in the competitive Call of Duty scene. 

The team began its tournament run with a confident 3–1 win over Toronto KOI, then delivered a dominant 3–0 sweep against the Los Angeles Thieves in the Upper Bracket. Their momentum was briefly halted by OpTic Texas, who sent Paris Gentle Mates to the Lower Bracket. There, they battled FaZe Vegas in a tense five-map series, eventually securing a 3–2 comeback victory to earn a Grand Final rematch. 

In the championship series, Paris Gentle Mates surged to an early lead before OpTic Texas forced a decisive Game 7. With smart positioning and standout performances—particularly from Daunte “Sib” Gray—Paris clinched the final map 6–4 to secure the title. Attention now turns to Major 2 qualifiers starting February 13, ahead of the league’s first UK LAN at DreamHack Birmingham (March 27–29).