The Esports World Cup (EWC) has made a remarkable debut in Riyadh, generating significant viewership figures and capturing global attention. In its first five days, the event showcased the growing influence of Saudi Arabia in the esports industry and set high expectations for the remaining weeks.
A Record-Breaking Start: Impressive Viewership Metrics
The Esports World Cup kicked off with a bang, accumulating 27 million hours watched over its opening week and reaching a peak of 1.3 million simultaneous viewers. This strong start reflects the event’s extensive reach and the high level of engagement from the global audience.
Breakdown of Viewership
- Total Hours Watched: 27 million
- Peak Concurrent Viewers: 1.3 million
- Hours Watched by Region:
- English-Speaking Viewers: 5.3 million hours
- Korean Viewers: Over 1 million hours
- Indonesian Viewers: Over 1 million hours
- Russian Viewers: Over 1 million hours
- Portuguese Viewers: Over 1 million hours
- Spanish-Speaking Viewers: 225,000 hours
Despite the impressive numbers, the Spanish-speaking audience was noticeably smaller compared to other regions, which may indicate an area for improvement in future promotions.
The Role of Co-Streaming
Co-streaming played a pivotal role in the EWC’s success. Streamers such as Brazil’s Baiano and the U.S.’s loltyler1 significantly boosted viewership numbers, with Baiano alone accounting for 1.1 million hours watched. This highlights the importance of influencer partnerships in driving viewership and engagement for large-scale esports events.
Featured Games and Performance
During the first week, four major titles were featured:
- League of Legends: Led with 11 million hours watched, with notable matches including the final between T1 and TES.
- Dota 2: Saw strong viewership but was overshadowed by League of Legends.
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB): Engaged a significant portion of the audience.
- Call of Duty: Warzone: Although less popular, it had notable moments, including Team Falcons from Saudi Arabia claiming victory.
Saudi Arabia’s Investment and Future Plans
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the gaming industry is evident from its substantial investments and strategic initiatives. The country has invested $38 billion in the gaming sector and is developing a dedicated gaming district in Qiddiya City. This investment underscores the country’s long-term vision of becoming a leading hub for esports and gaming.
Upcoming Highlights
As the EWC progresses, new titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Honor of Kings will be added to the roster. This expansion aims to maintain high levels of viewer interest and continue competing with major global events, including the Olympics.
Conclusion
The Esports World Cup’s opening week has been a resounding success, with impressive viewership figures and strong engagement from around the world.
The event has already surpassed other major esports tournaments in terms of audience and spectacle. With continued investment and strategic expansion, the EWC is poised to solidify its position as a leading esports tournament.
The Uncertain Future of the Esports World Cup: Will It Become an Annual Event?