Esports World Cup 2024: Record-breaking prize pool and viewership triumph

Esports World Cup 2024 shatters records 

The Esports World Cup 2024 has cemented itself as one of the top five most-watched esports series of the year, amassing over 120 million hours watched (HW) during its inaugural run. Held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the event featured 22 tournaments across 21 titles, concluding on August 25. Team Falcons emerged victorious in the Club Championship, walking away with $7 million from a total prize pool of $60 million—the largest in esports history. This monumental prize pool set a new benchmark, surpassing even Dota 2's The International. 

While the Esports World Cup couldn’t match the viewership of ongoing powerhouses like the Valorant Champions Tour, which leads 2024 with over 267 million HW, its unique and fast-paced format still delivered remarkable results. Popular titles such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and mobile esports entries led the way, contributing heavily to the event’s total watch time. The top four tournaments by HW accounted for over 64% of the event's overall viewership, showing the dominance of these iconic games. 

As the EWC 2024 concludes, it’s clear that the compact nature of the tournament impacted its total HW compared to larger, ongoing leagues. However, the success of its first edition suggests that future iterations will continue to push boundaries, potentially expanding to include more titles and new formats. With its enormous prize pool and high-level competition, the EWC is set to become a cornerstone event in the world of esports.