Call of Duty Championship 2015: Live Stream Schedule and Prize Money

It's time. Head shots, melee attacks and frags will be the order of the day beginning on March 27, when the official 2015 Call of Duty Championship takes place at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. 

This is the third annual event, and the $1 million prize pool brings out the best COD gamers in the world. In total, 32 teams will battle for the right to call themselves official COD champions.

Almost every gamer has tried his hand at COD at one point or another, but let's not get things twisted. No matter how many times you've finished in the top three of a free-for-all round online, you more than likely don't have what it takes to trade shots with the gamers who will compete in this contest.

It takes thousands of hours of practice to become a gamer of this caliber. The teams are made up of snipers who will pick you off if you're caught away from cover for more than three seconds. Guys and girls who only need one close encounter to take you down during melee attacks. This is serious business.

As competitive gaming goes, the COD contests are the ones that likely resonate with American fans the most. This is an international competition. but 11 of the 32 teams are based in the United States.

That speaks to the popularity of the COD franchise in the States, as opposed to games like League of Legends and StarCraft 2, which are most popular in South Korea and other nations.

The event is sponsored by Xbox and runs through March 29, when a champion will be crowned. A total of 32 teams will compete for supremacy. The live stream begins on March 27 at 12:15 p.m. ET.

Here's a breakdown of the first day's matches and essential viewing information:

• When: Friday, March 27–Sunday, March 29
• Where: Los Angeles
• Prize Pool: $1 million
• Format: Group Play to Double Elimination / Maps & Modes
• Time: Friday at noon ET, Saturday at noon ET, Sunday at 2 p.m. ET

Friday's Lineup

• 12:15 p.m - Station A Group A – OpTic Gaming vs. Vitality X
• 12:15 p.m - Station B Group F – Aware Gaming vs. Infused
• 12:15 p.m - Station C Group A – NxG Rapid vs. Team Orbit
• 12:15 p.m - Station D Group F – Revenge vs. 3sUp
• 12:15 p.m - Station E Group G – TCM Gaming vs. Ascentia

You can see the full tournament schedule by clicking the link. The live stream will be available on Major League Gaming and on the Call of Duty homepage.

Here's a look at two of the prime contenders for the title.

OpTic Gaming

The king of the COD scene from a popularity standpoint is OpTic Gaming. This super squad of virtual mercenaries has long been synonymous with COD excellence, though the team has yet to capture the championship at either of the first two events.

Some believe this could be the year OpTic breaks through.

Per Paul Tassi of Forbes, Major League Gaming's Chris Puckett thinks it could be OpTic's time. He said: "They always have the biggest crowd, the biggest fanbase, and now they actually have the best team. They’re coming in as not only the most loved team, but the favorite to take the whole thing.” 

The team finished in third place each of the first two years of the tournament. Led by team captain Matt "NaDeSHoT" Haag, OpTic has its best chance to finally take the top podium spot.

EnVyUs

"

So dope! Team EnVyUs - A New Beginning: https://t.co/l5eGKg7RHp via @YouTube Made by @traxus

— Renato (@EnVy_Saints) March 24, 2015"

After a second-place finish in last year's tournament, EnVyUs has its sights set on the top prize as well. OpTic may get most of the attention, but EnVyUs is a well-balanced team.

Renato "Saints" Forza and Tommy "ZooMatta" Paparratto are the big guns, but all four of the team's primary competitors have over 44,000 pro points this year.

With last year's experience under its belt, don't be surprised to see EnVyUs taking on OpTic Gaming in Sunday's final.

Follow Brian Mazique, aka FranchisePlay, the Sports Video Game Journalist