The past nine months of League of Legends competitions have been intense and productive, with numerous highlights. Major circuits like the LCK, LEC, and LPL continued to see increased viewership, with the Korean LCK reaching near-global event status due to its peak concurrent viewers.
Both the CBLOL and VCS experienced growth, putting them among the most promising leagues heading into the next season. CBLOL’s rise was driven by community casting, while the VCS benefited from a single platform pushing its tournaments to new heights.
On the flip side, the LCS faced significant challenges, hitting near-record lows in audience numbers despite some gains in peak viewership. FlyQuest may even be the last-ever champion of the LCS as it currently stands.
LCK & LEC: MAINTAINING DOMINANCE
The LCK continues to post remarkable numbers for a regional league. The Spring Split broke records, with 2.66 million peak viewers during the Grand Final, making it not only the most-watched LCK match but also the largest Korean-language audience in esports outside of LoL Worlds.
LEC also had a strong year, fueled by popular teams like Karmine Corp and MAD Lions KOI. These teams brought with them significant fan bases, especially from France, leading to an overall rise in viewership compared to 2023.
CBLOL, LPL, LCS: MIXED FORTUNES
CBLOL enjoyed a breakout year, driven by community streamers like Baiano, resulting in unprecedented peak and average viewership numbers. The league now ranks as the third-most-popular regional circuit, just behind the LCK and LEC.
Conversely, the LCS continued its downward trajectory, despite a brief spike in split-on-split viewership. With changes expected next season, including a merger with LLA and CBLOL, the future of the league remains uncertain.
The LPL, meanwhile, had a strong 2024, outpacing the LCS and seeing increased accessibility across more platforms.
OTHER LEAGUES ON THE RISE
The VCS also had a strong year, setting a new viewership record thanks in part to TikTok’s entry into broadcasting. The PCS improved as well, benefiting from broadcasts in Chinese and Japanese.
Overall, it’s been a mostly positive year for LoL competitions, and with the 2024 World Championship approaching, fans are eager to see what’s in store for 2025.
