Call of Duty: Warzone is ushering in a new era with the integration of Black Ops 7. With it comes a refreshed playlist and a massive shift to how matchmaking works.
With the BO7 integration, Warzone is introducing more flexible lobby options alongside the brand-new Open Matchmaking system, changing the way you drop into matches. Whether you’re grinding wins or just trying to keep track of which modes are live with each update, this guide covers the important details you need to know.
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Warzone playlist update for Season 1 Week 1
Warzone Season 1 Week 1 opens with a wide selection of modes and squad sizes, together with the debut of the new Resurgence map, Haven’s Hollow. Here’s what’s live at launch:
| Mode | Map | Squad Size |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Royale | Verdansk | Solos, Duos, Trios, Quads |
| Battle Royale Casual | Verdansk | Quads |
| Resurgence | Haven’s Hollow, Rebirth Island | Solos, Duos, Trios, Quads |
| Resurgence Casual | Haven’s Hollow | Quads |
| Buybacks Battle Royale (weekend limited-time mode) | Verdansk | Quads |
Players in North America and Europe can jump into any squad size they prefer across both core Battle Royale and Resurgence modes. Those in other global regions will start the season with Quads-only for both core BR and Resurgence. This rollout is intentional, as Raven Software evaluates how the new Open matchmaking system performs across different populations before expanding options region-by-region.
Just like previous seasons, the Warzone playlist can change from week to week, but the start of Season 1 aims to provide as many mode options as possible in regions with sufficient player count.
Warzone Open Matchmaking explained
One of the biggest changes arriving in Warzone with the Black Ops 7 integration is Open Matchmaking, a system where player skill is only minimally considered. This is a huge shift from the traditional SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) that Warzone players are familiar with.
Open Matchmaking applies to all non-Casual modes in the Warzone playlist, and is designed to prioritize faster queue times and more diverse lobbies. To ensure this new system performs as intended, the development team will be closely monitoring matchmaking data during the first few weeks of Season 1. Based on this data, the team may adjust regional playlists or matchmaking rules as needed.
While no specific changes have been confirmed, the developers have been transparent in noting that tweaks may occur as they refine the system throughout the season.
If you want a full look at everything arriving this season, make sure to read our complete breakdown of the Warzone Season 1 patch notes.
Published: Dec 3, 2025 09:57 pm