T1 and G2 Esports have set a new group-stage viewership record for the 2024 Worlds. Surpassing 3 million concurrent viewers during their highly anticipated Swiss Stage match. This marked the second time that the group-stage record was broken at the event. A significant factor in this rise was the surge in Korean viewership, especially after the resumption of the Swiss Stage. Despite a sharp drop in Portuguese and Spanish viewership following the eliminations of paiN Gaming and MAD Lions KOI, the Korean audience offset these declines. With their numbers increasing by 148%.
The match between T1 and G2 Esports on October 11 was crucial, as it determined which team would advance to the Knockout Stage. The game was one of the most watched in the event’s history and ranked as the second most popular T1 vs. G2 match ever. Only behind their 2019 Worlds semifinals clash, which drew 3.8 million viewers.
Despite the viewership loss from the eliminations of paiN and MAD Lions KOI, the tournament’s overall audience remained stable. Tthanks to the strong engagement of the English- and Korean-speaking fanbases. As European, South Korean, and Chinese teams continue to battle for playoff spots, viewership is expected to climb even higher, with T1’s continued success likely playing a key role in drawing massive audiences.
Adrian Kovacs 
Lex Northbyte