Esports in 2024 has reached new and astonishing heights. With unprecedented viewership in the millions, fans around the world were captivated by the exciting grand finals, unexpected victories, and adrenaline-pumping games. This year will be remembered for a long time to come. Streaming platforms reported historic engagement figures, confirming the fact that esports is no longer a niche but rather a global phenomenon. So, let’s analyze the tournaments that brought us the most views of esports in the past 2024.
1. The League of Legends World Championship – 6.3 Million Peak Viewers
The final match between JD Gaming and T1 was unprecedented, as it peaked at 6.3 million viewers. With this, the League of Legends World Championship once again proved its importance in esports. As everyone expected, the tournament added another gem to its crown, as Tamper Faker single-handedly led T1 to a legendary 3-2 series win. While the tournament was outstanding, the highlight of the show was the innovative changes made by Riot Games. They set the games on fire with an augmented reality opening ceremony, showing the audience the explosive innovations before the game even started. Most of them were also involved in betting online, as betting on cybersports is becoming as popular as cybersports itself these days. The tournament managed to dominate the MOBA genre thanks to an astounding average of 2.8 million viewers during the league matches.
2. The CS2 Major – 3.9 Million Peak Viewers
The peak viewership recorded during the NAVI vs. FaZe Clan confrontation in the grand finals was 3.9 million viewers. This number is considered to be the highest in the history of CS games. Thanks to Valve’s new and improved spectator mode and in-game drops, audience engagement reached record highs along with prizes. After the Counter-Strike game changed from CS:GO to CS2, the excitement around the first-ever CS2 Major reached tremendous heights. One of the best individual performances in the Major finals was shown by Alexander “s1mple” Kostylev on the deciding map. He landed 38 kills. The introduction of CS2 also allowed the creation of new maps and game mechanics that turned the tournament into a spectacle.
3. The Dota 2 The International – 3.5 Million Peak Viewers
The International 2024 kept the tradition of surprising viewers by providing high competition and increasing prize pools. When PSG.LGD and Gaimin Gladiators faced off in the grand finals; 3.5 million viewers watched the game as the stakes exceeded 20 million dollars. Ame’s Game 5 Rampage attracted the most attention, and it never stopped being discussed on social media. And if you want to discuss something that has recently happened in the world of sports, you can do it at MelBet Instagram. As for Dota 2 The International, although the prize pool this year was much lower than in other years, the level of skill and production was more than satisfactory. Valve’s revamped Battle Pass system also helped keep viewers interested throughout the event.
4. Valorant Champions 2024 – 2.7 Million Peak Viewers
The Valorant esports scene has heated up to new heights, and the Valorant Champions 2024 tournament was no exception. Sentinels and DRX battled each other in the finals, and the event drew 2.7 million viewers in spades. During the grand finals, fans were able to witness intense rounds that saw TenZ complete a clutch in the final minutes, which has been rewatched countless times. The introduction of the agent ban, as well as the new competitive format, was new to the scene and revitalized the game, making it one of the most controversial tournaments in Valorant esports history.
5. Fortnite World Cup – 2.5 Million Peak Viewers
After several years without a World Cup, the return of the Fortnite World Cup was accompanied by a lot of hype, and the tournament, as expected, generated a lot of excitement. The grand finals drew 2.5 million viewers, and the young prodigy “Clix” won in an amazing final round-robin battle. Epic Games didn’t leave out an extensive program for virtual fans and live events in several cities. The return of the World Championship not only helped revitalize but also strengthened the Fortnite competitive scene, bringing millions of players back to the game. Fans won’t forget this mesmerizing tournament with specially designed maps and constant new events during the game.
Esports in 2024: A Year to Remember
The year 2024 is well known as a turning point in the development of esports. From the amazing LoL Championship to the epic return of Fortnite, all these events proved that esports is an undeniable pillar of the entertainment industry. Millions of spectators watched this year’s events, records were set, and new memories were formed. The esports industry is growing in a truly unprecedented way with new and emerging athletes and teams, transforming games and actively developing fan bases. Considering all that’s happening, 2024 has been a truly monumental year for esports.