Worlds 2024 has officially kicked off with the first matches of the Play-In stage, and the opening day has already attracted over a million viewers. The most important event of the competitive League of Legends season is off to a great start, with statistics showing immense fan interest.
League of Legends Worlds 2024
Despite financial difficulties that led to system changes in some regions, professional LoL continues to see audience growth. The Play-In phase began on Wednesday, September 25, with victories from MAD Lions KOI and PSG Talon, marking a peak of over one million viewers.
Impressive Viewer Stats on Day 1
According to Esports Chart, the Play-In phase of Worlds 2024 reached a total of 1,328,313 viewers, one of the best starts to the tournament in recent years. This is the first time in a while that the opening day of Worlds has achieved an average of over 1 million simultaneous viewers.
The 2024 edition saw a 28.8% increase in viewership compared to Worlds 2023, as well as an estimated 78% increase in watch hours. Much of this growth comes from expanding regions, such as Brazil, where paiN Gaming managed to take a game from PSG Talon.
Fan Favorites Driving Viewership
The participation of teams with massive international fan bases, like MAD Lions KOI, led by Ibai Llanos, has significantly contributed to the tournament’s strong numbers. Despite the absence of representatives from major Asian regions, the Worlds 2024 Play-In stage is shaping up to be a record-setting event for viewership.
What’s Next?
The action continues on Thursday, September 26, with the debut of Movistar R7 against 100 Thieves at the end of the day. The Latin American squad will look to advance to the main stage, aiming to achieve a milestone for their region in their final international tournament appearance.
Worlds 2024: MAD Lions KOI and PSG Talon Victorious on Play-In Day 1