The patch notes for Call of Duty: Warzone‘s Season 5 update have been revealed by Raven Software as the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 cycle nears its end.
From anti-cheat updates, map changes, new weaponry, and weapon balancing, here’s a closer look at Warzone’s latest update and how it’s likely to impact the battle royale title’s esports scene.
Stadium Is Open
The roof of Verdansk’s stadium is now open, enabling players to land inside the structure for the first time since the map returned. Within the stadium are new vertical structures offering greater control over sightlines, along with height variation to create more diverse ways to engage with an opponent.
The Season 5 update has also overhauled the locations of Buy Stations across the entirety of the map. Raven Software says the decision to relocate the Buy Stations is “to create more dynamic combat scenarios and rotation opportunities” during matches.
New Weapons
To inject a breath of fresh air into the existing meta, the Season 5 update brings a new light machine gun and a new assault rifle into the ever-expanding arsenal.
The PML 5.56 features a fast rate of fire and high damage output at the cost of high recoil that’s difficult to control, while the ABR A1 is a burst rifle capable of excelling in mid-range combat.
The addition of new weaponry often sparks a shift in the meta, with the new arrivals often outperforming the existing weapons in the arsenal.
Close-Range Weapon Balancing
Throughout Season 4, the LC10 submachine gun has excelled in close-quarters combat thanks to its superior handling and damage output.
For Season 5, several SMGs have received buffs to their maximum range, giving players greater choice when building a loadout for competitive play.
How Will Season 5 Impact Esports?
The Warzone Season 5 update goes live on August 7th, 2025, during the battle royale title’s appearance at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It’s unclear if the tournament organisers will switch to the latest update or whether it will remain on Season 4 for the remainder of the tournament.
