The LoL Worlds 2024 tournament saw a peak of 2.8 million viewers on just Day 1 of the Swiss Stage, which is quite a surprise as it has the potential to smash previous records.
The League of Legends Worlds 2024 tournament is off to a record-breaking start, with viewership numbers already skyrocketing. Even though the tournament is still in its early stages, known as the Swiss Stage, nearly 3 million people have been tuning in to watch the action unfold. This is surprising since the Swiss Stage typically doesn’t pull in as many viewers as the later rounds or the grand finals, where numbers usually peak.
Compared to last year, where the viewership didn’t hit close to 3 million until the quarterfinals and semifinals, 2024 is setting a new pace. On just Day 1 of the Swiss Stage, the tournament saw a peak of 2.8 million viewers, suggesting that this year’s event could smash previous records.
Korean Fans Are Leading the Charge
A huge reason for this early success is the incredible number of fans, especially from Korea, who are tuning in. The match between T1 and Top Esports alone drew in 2.82 million viewers, with over a quarter of that audience coming from Korean fans. T1, being one of the most legendary teams in League of Legends history, consistently pulls in massive numbers. Their popularity extends beyond Korea, as fans worldwide were eager to see these top-tier teams face off.
It wasn’t just T1 grabbing attention though. The Gen.G vs. Weibo Gaming match also attracted a lot of viewers, with 2.31 million fans tuning in. On Day 1 alone, over 14.2 million hours of League of Legends were watched, marking a 52.7% increase from the same stage last year.
Co-Streamers Bringing in Big Numbers
Another key factor boosting viewership is the rise of co-streaming. Popular streamers like Caedrel, Ibai, and Baiano played a big role, each bringing in over 100,000 viewers. In some cases, their numbers even surpassed Riot Games’ official broadcast. Co-streaming offers fans a more personal, often more fun, way to enjoy the event, which is why so many are turning to these streamers for their League of Legends fix.
This trend is making a noticeable impact on esports viewership, and it’s clear that League of Legends is benefiting a lot from it. With streamers adding their own style and commentary, more people are getting hooked on the game’s competitive scene.
Well, with the tournament still in its early stages, the excitement is only going to build from here. The knockout rounds, where the real high-stakes matches happen, are expected to bring in even more viewers. If things keep trending this way, LoL Worlds 2024 might just set new viewership records. Last year’s grand finals had a jaw-dropping 6.4 million concurrent viewers, making it the most-watched esports event in history. This year’s event could top that if the numbers continue to climb.
There’s still a lot of action left to come, so fans are in for a treat as the tournament heats up.