TL;DR
- Worlds 2022 Play-ins viewership declined 16% in peak and average viewers compared to 2021
- Brazilian team LOUD emerged as most-watched with 835K average viewers despite regional challenges
- Time zone issues significantly impacted European and Asian viewership with matches starting at inconvenient hours
- Broadcast delays contributed to 8% increase in hours watched despite lower concurrent viewership
- CBLOL’s Portuguese broadcast ranked second only to Riot’s main channel in hours watched
Recent analysis from Esports Charts reveals significant shifts in Worlds 2022 Play-ins viewership patterns, with notable declines in key metrics compared to the previous year’s tournament.
Twelve elite teams converged on Mexico City for the initial stage, competing across six intense days that ultimately advanced only four squads to the main event. This edition marked a historic milestone with five representatives from major competitive regions participating in Play-ins for the first time, intensifying the competition level substantially. However, even featuring reigning Mid-Season Invitational champions RNG failed to generate sufficient audience engagement to surpass the 2021 benchmarks.
The broadcast reached its audience zenith at 1.1 million concurrent viewers, representing a concerning 16% reduction from the previous year’s peak. Average viewership metrics followed similar downward trajectory, settling at 747,000 viewers with identical 16% year-over-year decrease. Interestingly, total hours consumed by audiences actually grew by 8% to 38.1 million, primarily attributable to extensive broadcast interruptions experienced during the opening day’s schedule.
Contrary to indicating declining interest in the World Championship, these figures actually highlight the critical importance of European and Asian markets for the event’s global success. The Mexican venue created substantial scheduling complications, with matches commencing around 10 PM Central European Time and continuing until at least 4 AM. For South Korean enthusiasts, the action began around 3 AM local time, creating significant barriers for dedicated followers. Industry experts anticipate viewership recovery as tournament progresses and fan-favorite teams enter the competition arena.
LOUD, the most popular team at Worlds 2022
Brazil’s LOUD squad captured the viewership crown during Play-ins, averaging 835,000 viewers per match. North America’s Evil Geniuses secured second position with 801,000 average viewers, while Europe’s MAD Lions claimed third place with 793,000 viewers. Despite LOUD’s impressive audience retention, the dramatic showdown between Fnatic and Evil Geniuses generated the single largest viewership spike at 1.1 million peak concurrent viewers.
CBLOL’s dedicated Portuguese Twitch channel accumulated over 3.6 million viewing hours, trailing only Riot Games’ primary broadcast channel. Latin America’s LLA channel captured third position with 3.2 million hours consumed. English, Portuguese, and Spanish emerged as the dominant broadcast languages throughout the event, reflecting the global nature of the competition.
The tournament resumes October 7th with the Group Stage, where viewership typically experiences significant growth as top-tier teams enter the fray and regional rivalries intensify. For teams preparing for similar competitions, our Complete Guide offers valuable strategic frameworks for maximizing audience engagement and competitive performance.
Action Checklist
- Analyze time zone impacts on your target audience before scheduling major events
- Monitor regional channel performance to identify emerging markets and audience preferences
- Study team popularity metrics to understand what drives audience engagement in your region
- Implement multi-language broadcast strategies to capture diverse audience segments
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » League of Legends Worlds 2022 Play-ins see viewership drop Analyzing Worlds 2022 viewership trends, regional impacts, and LOUD's surprising popularity surge