Riot Games and League of Legends have done it again—this year’s League of Legends World Championships has officially become the most-watched event in esports history, peaking at over 6.9 million viewers during the Finals. This new record surpassed last year’s peak of 6.4 million viewers, marking another milestone for the game that continues to dominate the esports landscape.
The growth of esports has been explosive over the last two decades, with top games like Overwatch, Counter-Strike, and Dota 2 building strong leagues, player bases, and fan followings. Yet, League of Legends, since its 2009 debut, has steadily led the pack. Riot Games has continuously expanded the League of Legends universe with new champions, immersive storylines, and regional leagues that make its World Championships a globally celebrated event each year.
According to viewership analytics from Esports Charts, this year’s World Championship Finals averaged around 1.73 million viewers per match throughout the event. Fans eagerly tuned in not only for the gameplay but for a thrilling lineup that included a performance by Linkin Park, who rocked the opening with “Heavy is the Crown,” the anthem for this year’s championship. The World Finals matchup itself had built-in excitement as the iconic South Korean team T1, led by legendary player Faker, went head-to-head against China’s Bilibili Gaming. This clash between esports powerhouses and the return of one of the game’s greatest rivalries kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Escharts
League of Legends’ dominance in the world of esports shows no sign of slowing down, especially with Riot Games’ ongoing efforts to innovate and elevate the championship experience year after year. The tournament’s opening ceremony also drew an impressive 4.5 million viewers, proving that League of Legends isn’t just a game but a massive, global cultural phenomenon that continues to set the standard in esports.
With its latest achievement, League of Legends once again stands unrivaled, pushing the boundaries of what an esports event can accomplish and drawing fans from around the world to witness the magic live.
