The VCT Americas Kickoff event made waves in the world of VALORANT esports, setting a new record for regional viewership and surpassing the competitive return of one of the most popular FPS streamers.
Historical Context
The previous record-holder for peak viewership in the Americas region was the opening match between Sentinels and The Guard at the 2022 VCT NA Last Chance Qualifier, which notably marked the pro VALORANT debut of shroud. This event marked a significant roster change for Sentinels, introducing the former CS:GO pro turned superstar streamer alongside the core players TenZ, ShahZaM, and dapr.
Viewership Impact
The presence of Sentinels in the tournament highlighted their immense viewership influence, with all three of their matches surpassing the viewership peaks of the eventual grand final between 100 Thieves and The Guard. The electrifying atmosphere of the Americas Kickoff final, featuring two of the most popular teams, Sentinels and LOUD, contributed to its record-breaking viewership numbers.
Overall Tournament Viewership
The Americas Kickoff tournament as a whole showcased elite viewership numbers, generating approximately 22.5 million hours watched. This figure surpasses the entirety of the VCT EMEA league from the previous year, despite having less than half of the airtime. The success of the Americas Kickoff tournament outpaced both the EMEA and Pacific Kickoff events in terms of viewership.
Future Prospects
As Sentinels and LOUD head to the Masters Madrid event, anticipation is high for another record-shattering event in terms of VALORANT viewership. With the participation of powerhouse teams such as EDG, Karmine Corp, Paper Rex, and Gen.G, Masters Madrid holds the potential to further elevate VALORANT’s global viewership records.
VALORANT Esports’ Growing Popularity and Promising Future
The VCT Americas Kickoff final not only set a new regional viewership record but also showcased the growing popularity and influence of VALORANT esports in the Americas region. With exciting matches and the participation of top-tier teams, the future of VALORANT esports continues to promise thrilling moments and record-breaking viewership numbers.