Warzone ranked: is there a competitive mode and when is it coming?

 Call of Duty Warzone ranked: Three operators in action
(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)

So, where is Call of Duty: Warzone ranked mode? While fighting your way back from the gulag is satisfying, it's so much sweeter if you can show off your rank to your friends later.

Nearly every major shooter and battle royale has a ranked mode. For example, Apex Legends has had its version for years, leaving many players asking the question, why doesn't Call of Duty: Warzone have its own? Developers can be hard to get comment from when it comes to unannounced features, so it's difficult to pin down anything concrete.

That being said, there is some information out there, and we've collected it all in one place. Here's everything we know about the prospect of Warzone ranked. 

Warzone ranked

Warzone ranked: is there a competitive mode?

Warzone does not currently have ranked and it's been without a competitive mode since launch, to the frustration of many. However, in an interview with GDC, ex-Senior Systems Designer Josh Menke confirmed that Warzone does use skill-based matchmaking, along with other Call of Duty titles. 

However, while there is no dedicated competitive mode, it's something that Raven Software has indicated it's interested in.

Warzone ranked: When will there be ranked?

Soldiers holding guns in Call of Duty Warzone

(Image credit: Activision)

The short answer is that there are no immediate plans for ranked mode. In a recent DiazBiffle Twitch stream, a developer on Warzone confirmed it isn't on the coming horizon, but that it remained a high priority. With that, don't expect the feature in Season 3 or even 4 or 5.

On the stream, they said ranked was something they are focused on for the future, which could suggest that it might not make an appearance until Warzone 2, however, that is purely speculation. It's clear that Raven Software is seriously considering it, but don't hold your breath waiting as you're likely to be disappointed.

With other battle royales, ranked costs points to enter, and you progress based on points earned. Apex Legends, Fortnite, and PUBG all follow similar philosophies, dividing you up into ranks based on your total accumulated points. Apex Legends also includes divisions that you can rise or fall to based on your performance

It's easy to imagine Warzone will follow a similar line, with points-based results for each match, but there's no telling if it will use tiers or entry fees, or even go in a totally new direction.


Philip Palmer
Senior Writer

Phil is a Senior Writer of TechRadar Gaming (TRG). With three previous years of experience writing freelance for PC Gamer, he's covered every genre imaginable. For 15 years he's done technical writing and IT documentation, and more recently traditional gaming content. He has a passion for the appeal of diversity, and the way different genres can be sandboxes for creativity and emergent storytelling. With thousands of hours in League of Legends, Overwatch, Minecraft, and countless survival, strategy, and RPG entries, he still finds time for offline hobbies in tabletop RPGs, wargaming, miniatures painting, and hockey.