10 best Call of Duty maps, ranked

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 marks the latest instalment in the series, which first debuted in 2003. Initially developed by Infinity Ward, the first-person shooter has been the go-to title for players in the genre, especially with the battle-royale spinoff, Warzone.

In Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, there are several modes, such as a single-player and co-op campaign that features 11 missions, a multiplayer mode, and Zombies. So far, the reception has been positive, but the internet-connection requirement for playing Black Ops 7, as well as its high storage size, has been a cause of contention for many.

However, with Black Ops 7 marking the 22nd entry in the Call of Duty series, we’re ranking 10 of the best multiplayer maps that have been featured in the series so far.

Crash, from 2007’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, is destruction abound throughout the Middle Eastern streets, complete with a downed Chopper to boot. Players can run on rooftops, between alleys, and more, enabling some innovative tactics to win the match. It’s the tension in these areas, as well as the potential skirmishes in the streets, that make Crash shine, easily making our top 10 Call of Duty map list.

Appearing in 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Favela is set on a Brazilian hillside, features plenty of claustrophobic and layered areas that make it perfect for players to surprise opponents when they least expect it. There are rooftops, small rooms, alleys, and more that can make Favela great for close-quarter combat, giving it a different set of mechanics to win a match compared to what Crash offers.

Appearing in both Call of Duty: World at War and Vanguard, Castle is a sprawling map that features a fantastic Japanese fortress at its heart. It opens up opportunities for players as snipers to have clear sight lines, as well as fast-paced players for short-range attacks. In Vanguard, much of Castle was made to be destructible, which only made it more chaotic for players in ramping up the tension. At number eight, Castle blows past the other two due to its balanced pacing and tactical depth.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, released in 2009, is a classic game in the franchise for many reasons, but is also remembered for many iconic multiplayer maps, of which Scrapyard fits the bill. Set in a sprawling aircraft graveyard where fuselages litter the environment, Scrapyard is ideal for close-range combat, where reflexes are key. It’s fast, intense, and one that keeps players coming back to – so much so, it reappeared in 2023’s Modern Warfare 3.

First appearing in 2010’s Call of Duty: Black Ops, followed by a remastered version for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 in 2018, the snowy Summit map is fantastic for mid-range combat. Its walkways, which also feature a cable car that players can leap onto, make it a great spot to take out some opponents. Its varied spots of fighting, both indoor and outdoor, can mix up close and far-range combat, offering more versatility than Scrapyard.

Skyline, from 2024’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, is a map you don’t expect to see in the series, but once you play it, you realise how well it works in multiplayer matches. Set in Avalon, on the Mediterranean Coast, this high-spec penthouse suite features plenty of narrow sections and different levels of height that can make it easier or more challenging to have opponents in your sights. There’s also a security system that can be activated via the ventilation system, ramping up the tension for the other team. Ultimately, Skyline is a very fun map with plenty of open and cramped areas that can make combat unpredictable when it counts.

Appearing in 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts, Strikezone is all about close-combat set in a baseball stadium, complete with narrow corridors and different routes that could lead the opposing team into a trap. But what makes it memorable is the K.E.M. Strike that can obliterate players on the baseball field, turning much of it into debris and carnage. Compared to previous maps in the list, Strikezone soars thanks to its nonstop momentum when in close combat, with everything ramping up once a K.E.M. Strike occurs.

First appearing in 2010’s Call of Duty: Black Ops, and returning several times, until its latest incarnation in Black Ops 7, it’s likely you’ve played Nuketown, thanks to its many reappearances. Inspired by the nuclear test sites of the 1950s, this map may seem simple and approachable at first, thanks to how small it is, but Nuketown can quickly descend into fast-paced chaos. Split down the middle by a main road, it’s perfect for opposing teams to fight in the street, in the backyard, or in one of the houses. It’s one of the most iconic maps in Call of Duty, and for good reason. It nails the compact-map formula with its clever design, easily surpassing others in this list.

Flak Tower was a highlight in 2017’s Call of Duty: WWII. Its layout, featuring a huge flak gun that’s always watching the Berlin skies, can be menacing as players run through the close-quarter map, complete with narrow corridors and long-range opportunities. Flak Tower is intense, but that’s why it shines above many maps in this list. It keeps players on their toes when hiding in certain areas, but gives others opportunities for some quick combat to put the match in their favour.

Debuting in 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Terminal has become an iconic map for players of the series, as well as those who are just getting into Call of Duty. Set in a sprawling airport, players can run and shoot through security lanes, an aeroplane interior, and plenty more. Terminal is a huge map, especially in 6v6 matches, but the layout is so well-made that you never feel lost, making it fun to run around in as your team attempts to win another match. Combined with great visuals, different levels of combat, and plenty of areas to take cover, Terminal is an easy entrant into being the best Call of Duty map.

Since its 2003 debut, Call of Duty has been well-known for its multiplayer modes and maps. Many have become nostalgic for so many players in recent years, with the hope that some may return in a future Call of Duty entry. However, if you’re a longtime fan of the Call of Duty series, it may be no surprise to see the Terminal map in first place.

With its sprawling landscape of running through an airport terminal, as well as a plane, it’s a map that new players will also recognise, thanks to its remastered return in Modern Warfare III. But Terminal is a showcase for what a Call of Duty multiplayer map inherently is. It’s big, it’s interesting, it’s replayable, and there are always different tactics that can be used to win against the opposing team.

That’s also reflective of the other nine maps that are in our ranked list. Granted, some may expect the Rebirth Island or Verdansk map from Warzone to make an appearance, but the 10 in this list reflect how they’ve grown with players over the years, to become the iconic maps they deserve to be.

With Black Ops 7 available, there’s always a chance that some of its maps will feature in an updated ranked list in the future. But in the meantime, these 10 we’ve picked are a showcase for what a good Call of Duty map is.