The annual Call of Duty NEXT event has just kicked off, giving fans a first look at the much-anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Activision and Treyarch unveiled some exciting new features, from the innovative omnimovement mechanic to a deep dive into multiplayer gameplay. However, one surprise stole the spotlight—Ranked Play for Black Ops 6 is launching earlier than usual.

Ranked Play Coming in Season 1

If you’ve been around the Call of Duty block, you know Ranked Play rarely rolls out on day one. This trend holds true for Black Ops 6. However, there’s a twist: while Modern Warfare III introduced Ranked Play about two months post-launch, Black Ops 6 seems set to offer it sooner.

According to an official Call of Duty social media post, “For those who live for competition—We’re excited to announce Multiplayer Ranked Play arrives after launch as part of Season 1.” With the game hitting shelves on 25 October, this likely means Season 1—and the eagerly awaited Ranked Play—will drop sometime in December or January. Given the phrasing “during Season 1,” we might see it as early as three to four weeks after release.

So, get ready—your competitive edge will be sharpened sooner than you think.