The Tekken World Tour (TWT) has solidified its position as a premier esports competition in the fighting game community since its inception in 2017. Directly managed by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the tour has expanded to encompass a diverse range of official and community-driven events worldwide. The 2024 edition marked a significant milestone as the first TWT Finals played on the newly released Tekken 8.
This year’s tournament featured a comprehensive qualification process, with players earning their spots through the Global Leaderboard, Regional Leaderboard, or securing a last-minute opportunity via the Last Chance Qualifier. Prestigious competitions like the Evolution Championship Series 2024 were integrated into the tour, highlighting its comprehensive nature.
The tournament, held in Shibuya, Japan from December 5-8, drew substantial global attention. With a remarkable 1.2 million hours watched, the 2024 TWT Finals set a new benchmark for viewership in the tour’s history. This achievement was particularly notable given the event’s extended duration compared to previous years.
Viewership dynamics showed interesting shifts in 2024. While English-speaking audiences remained a significant portion of the viewers, the platform landscape changed dramatically. YouTube has now supplanted Twitch as the primary streaming platform for Tekken events. The timing of the finals, which was less convenient for North American fans, slightly impacted English-language viewership. However, this was offset by increased engagement from Asian language communities.
grand finals
The Grand Finals reached a peak of 84.8K concurrent viewers, with a memorable showdown between Korean player Rangchu and ATIF. The match was particularly dramatic, with ATIF quickly sent to the losers bracket, while Rangchu maintained an undefeated run through the playoffs. Ultimately, Rangchu secured his first top-tier event victory, claiming a substantial $100,000 prize.
Korean viewership remained robust, maintaining the strong momentum established during the 2022 event. This performance reflects the tournament’s post-pandemic resurgence. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the Tekken World Tour has not only recovered but demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth.
The 2024 Finals, while not quite matching the record viewership of the 2022 event, nonetheless underscored the Tekken World Tour’s established status in the esports landscape. It continues to be a pivotal event that consistently attracts significant global interest and showcases the highest level of competitive Tekken gameplay.
