The 2024 World Championship kicks off in Germany on September 25, setting the stage for the year's biggest League of Legends esports event. Eight teams from different regional leagues will compete in the initial Play-In stage. While some teams are seasoned with major tournament experience, others will be making their international debut. Here's a look at the teams most likely to break their peak viewership records during the Play-In phase.
All eight teams will compete in the Play-In, but only four will advance to the next stage to face the top contenders. Favorites to progress include MAD Lions KOI, Talon Esports, and GAM Esports, all with solid chances of moving on to the Swiss Stage. However, it's unlikely that any of these teams will set new peak viewership records during this phase.
MAD Lions KOI holds the highest peak viewership among Play-In teams, hitting 2.29 million concurrent viewers during their 2021 World Championship playoff against DAMWON Gaming. Historically, Play-In matches rarely surpass 1.3 million concurrent viewers viewers, with only a few top games crossing the 1 million mark in recent years. While it's unlikely that MAD Lions KOI will break their record in the Play-In stage, their participation could boost the viewership of other teams.
Talon Esports, 100 Thieves, and GAM Esports also face steep challenges in exceeding their peak viewership records, surpassing 1.5 million, a figure that is nearly impossible to reach in early-stage matches.
Teams like paiN Gaming and Rainbow7 have previously participated in international tournaments but have yet to achieve significant success, positioning them as underdogs in this competition. Both teams' peak viewership records sit just above 1 million, and they could potentially surpass these numbers with the right matchups. In the first round, Rainbow7 faces 100 Thieves, while PSG Talon takes on paiN Gaming. Although it's unlikely that records will be set in these early matches, a matchup against MAD Lions KOI could dramatically boost their viewership.
On the other hand, Vikings Esport and Fukuoka Hawks have strong potential to break their peak viewership records. Both teams are making their international debuts and are considered outsiders in the tournament, which often draws additional attention. While their current viewership figures are modest, even the least-watched Play-In matches in recent World Championships have attracted over 600,000 Peak Viewers. This suggests that both Vikings Esport and Fukuoka Hawks have a strong chance to set personal records in the early rounds.
The Play-In matches are set to take place from September 25 to 29 at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, with only four teams advancing to the Swiss Stage, where they'll join 12 other teams. Fans can track the tournament’s progress through the dedicated reporting page.
