The opening weekend of the League of Legends Championship of the Americas (LTA) Split 1 has showcased a striking divergence in audience trends between its Northern and Southern Conferences.
Diverging Viewership Trends
According to Esports Charts, the LTA North peaked at 148,603 viewers, a figure lower than the 191,540 peak viewers recorded during the 2024 LCS Spring Split’s opening week. In contrast, the LTA South achieved a peak viewership of 254,464, slightly surpassing the 246,560 fans who tuned in for the 2024 CBLOL Split 1 opening matches.
These trends reflect a mixed reception for Riot Games’ restructured League of Legends ecosystem in the Americas.
LTA: A New Competitive Format
The League of Legends Championship of the Americas (LTA) was introduced in 2024 to unify the competitive ecosystem in the region. The league is divided into two conferences:
- LTA North: Includes former LCS teams.
- LTA South: Features teams from the CBLOL region.
Each conference operates a double-elimination bracket format for Split 1, running from January 25th to February 9th, with BO3 matches determining the top four teams advancing to the LTA Cross-Conference.
This revamped format has replaced the traditional group stage systems seen in the LCS and CBLOL.
Key Matches and Audience Insights
Most Popular Matches
- LTA North:
- FlyQuest vs. Shopify Rebellion led viewership with 179,400 watch hours, but the region’s overall leader was Cloud9 vs. LYON, generating 202,400 watch hours.
- LTA South:
- LOUD vs. paiN Gaming dominated with 829,200 watch hours, confirming the continued popularity of these CBLOL heavyweights.
Streaming Platforms and Languages
- LTA North:
- Twitch: 104,523 peak viewers.
- English broadcasts: 105,854 peak viewers.
- YouTube: 43,323 peak viewers.
- Portuguese broadcasts: 41,044 peak viewers.
- LTA South:
- Portuguese broadcasts: 241,678 peak viewers.
- Equal popularity on YouTube (144,567) and Twitch (117,097).
Implications for LTA’s Future
The contrasting trends highlight significant challenges and opportunities for the LTA:
- The Southern Conference‘s growth reflects strong engagement from CBLOL fans, bolstered by popular teams like LOUD and paiN Gaming.
- In contrast, the Northern Conference struggles to retain the audience of its LCS predecessor, needing to regain fan interest in upcoming stages.
With the Cross-Conference event offering qualification to the year’s first international League of Legends tournament, stakes are high. Increased interest is anticipated as the competition intensifies in later stages.
Conclusion
The inaugural LTA Split 1 showcases both promise and hurdles for Riot Games’ restructured ecosystem. While the South’s robust viewership signals a strong start, the North’s performance highlights areas requiring attention to sustain and grow its fan base.
As the league progresses, all eyes will be on how these trends evolve and shape the future of competitive League of Legends in the Americas.
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