10 reasons to watch C.O.D.E. Bowl IV on Oct. 5
The 2023 esports competition, presented by USAA, will feature military teams competing alongside top Call of Duty streamers. Where to watch, and more.
Do you like playing Call of Duty?
Do you appreciate a good esports competition?
Do you relish watching military members compete against each other à la the annual Army-Navy game?
Then we’ve got just the thing for you. (So clear your calendar for Thursday October 5th at 1 p.m. Pacific / 4 p.m. Eastern, soldier.)
C.O.D.E. Bowl IV, the 2023 edition of the annual esports competition, is nearly upon us. This year’s event, which is presented by USAA, will feature military esports teams from the U.S., U.K., and—for the first time!—Canada alongside top Call of Duty streamers to compete for a coveted trophy and, naturally, bragging rights.
The Call of Duty Endowment (the C.O.D.E. in C.O.D.E. Bowl) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping veterans find high-quality careers and transition to civilian life after military service. The Endowment has funded the placement of more than 125,000 veterans since its founding in 2009, generating more than $7 billion in economic value for vets and their families. All of the net proceeds from the tournament go toward placing more veterans into high-quality jobs.
You can watch C.O.D.E. Bowl IV, presented by USAA, the following ways:
Not yet convinced? Here are 10 reasons to tune in on Oct. 5.
1.) Ten military esports teams will compete against each other
This year’s roll call includes the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom; the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force of the United States; and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
2.) Each military team is paired with a top Call of Duty streamers
Each team will feature two squads of four service members and two leading creators.
Among the creators scheduled to appear at this year’s tournament: IcemanIsaac, Smixie, Natarsha, M3rkdbyaSkirt, CitizenSnipes, BennyCentral, Emzy, Jaff, TacticalBrit, Spratt, and Braderz. Sweet.
3.) The Royal Air Force won last year’s tournament
And it was one hell of a comeback.
The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force started its championship run in last place before screaming to the front of the pack—past reigning champions Space Force Gaming—in back-to-back elimination matches.
The RAF subsequently took the CODE Bowl trophy on a tour of U.K. landmarks. Noice.
4.) There’s gonna be a first-ever MVP award
Thanks to sponsor Monster Energy, who will present it—along with a sweet MVP ring to wear. (My precious…)
5.) There are gonna be viewer awards, too
Shall we say…in-game awards, thanks to presenting sponsor USAA? (Our lips are otherwise sealed.) Tune in to be eligible to receive them.
6.) This year’s game is Call of Duty: Warzone
The popular free-to-play online multiplayer game features a mini “battle royale” mode that forces players to compete to be the last ones standing in a continuously shrinking map.
Warzone arrived in 2022 and is the successor to the original Call of Duty: Warzone released in 2020.
7.) This year’s battlefield is Al Mazrah
Al Mazrah is the arid capital city of the United Republic of Adal, located somewhere in the Caucasus in Western Asia. It’s a massive metropolitan area featuring dense urban centers, abandoned rural outskirts, and marshlands.
The location is a Call of Duty series fixture and is featured in Modern Warfare II and Warzone.
8.) This year’s event is in downtown Los Angeles
It’s a move westward after last year’s event on the U.S. East Coast.
C.O.D.E. Bowl III took place in Raleigh, North Carolina. The inaugural tournament, held in 2020, was fully remote due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
9.) The drama will be palpable
Army versus Navy? A beef as old as the United States.
Royal Navy versus RAF? You don’t even wanna touch that one.
In the meantime, the U.S. Space Force is trying to get back on top after failing to defend its crown in C.O.D.E. Bowl III. Meanwhile the U.S. Air Force is looking to see the returns on its rebuilding effort. (Hooah!)
10.) There are gonna be super secret game announcements
OK, we really aren’t allowed to talk about this one. You’ll just have to tune in at 1 p.m. Pacific / 4 p.m. Eastern to learn more.
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