The European Regional Major Ranking (RMR) B tournament at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 has set a new record in esports viewership. Breaking previous records for RMR tournaments, this milestone marks a significant achievement in the world of competitive gaming. As the final chapter for the RMR format, which is expected to retire after this year, the European RMR B has not only impressed with its numbers but also with the captivating storylines and surprising results.
A Historic Event
The European RMR B tournament served as the curtain call for a competitive format that has been a staple in the esports world for several years. During the event, 3DMAX, a team that had last participated in a major back in 2015, made a spectacular return, earning a spot at the Shanghai Major in China. Another notable achievement was the Ukrainian squad, Passion UA, which qualified for its first-ever Valve major, making history and bringing even more excitement to the event.
However, the tournament wasn’t just about underdog victories. There were also intense clashes between top teams that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Teams like Astralis and Eternal Fire, while expected to do well, faced unforeseen challenges and ultimately fell short of securing spots in the top eight. Despite their strong efforts, these teams couldn’t make it into the coveted top rankings, creating a more competitive and unpredictable tournament.
Viewership Surges
One of the most remarkable aspects of the European RMR B was its viewership statistics. The tournament peaked with 531.9K concurrent viewers, setting a new record for RMR events. This high engagement was primarily driven by two key matchups: the match between Eternal Fire and Astralis and the exciting faceoff between G2 Esports and Team Spirit. The latter match quickly became the most-watched in the tournament, even ranking fourth
among all RMR matches ever played.
Another key factor in this viewership surge was the linguistic diversity of the streams. European RMR B featured a higher number of Russian-speaking players than the European RMR A, leading to a 26.5% increase in viewership on Russian-language broadcasts compared to the earlier tournament. Meanwhile, English-language streams also saw a notable increase in viewership, with a rise of 18.7%, largely driven by the intense following of G2 Esports. Speculation had begun that the Shanghai Major could be the last tournament for G2 Esports before a potential roster overhaul, further increasing interest in their matches.
Russia’s Strong Influence
The viewership numbers further illustrate how much Russian-speaking fans are shaping the esports landscape, particularly in the Counter-Strike scene. The European RMR B tournament witnessed a particularly strong performance from Russian-language broadcasts, as fans in this demographic tuned in in droves to watch their favorite teams. Notably, Russian-language streams contributed a significant share of the overall viewership, and the average viewership on Russian streams for European RMR events was far higher than for American tournaments.
Interestingly, the success of Russian-language broadcasts also highlighted the differing fan bases between regions. While European tournaments saw a massive engagement from Russian-speaking audiences, viewership from other regions like America and Asia displayed more volatility. In these regions, viewership typically fluctuated depending on the specific teams and players in the tournaments. The performance of DRILLAS in the Asia-Pacific RMR, for instance, saw an unexpected surge, showing that regional teams can still create surprise engagement levels.
Looking Back at the RMR Legacy
As we look back on the RMR format’s legacy, the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 marks the conclusion of an era. The RMR tournaments reached their peak popularity in 2024, particularly during the PGL Major Copenhagen events. These tournaments, which generated over 22.1 million hours watched, represent the pinnacle of RMR’s success. Notably, the European RMR Decider Stage at PGL Major Copenhagen accounted for an additional 2.1 million hours watched, further propelling its status as the most successful RMR tournament to date.
The IEM Rio Major 2022 also remains one of the most-watched events in the history of RMR tournaments, largely due to the compelling storylines surrounding Brazilian teams. The dramatic “Last Dance” of FalleN and Imperial Esports caught the attention of fans worldwide, with over 486.5K concurrent viewers tuning in to watch their decisive match against Complexity. The Brazilian fanbase’s passion proved instrumental in driving this viewership, reinforcing the importance of storylines and player legacy in esports.
Regional Preferences and Viewership Dynamics
In examining regional preferences, it’s clear that European RMR tournaments dominate in terms of viewership. European events account for a significant portion of the most-watched RMR events, thanks in part to the heavy engagement of Russian-speaking viewers. These tournaments often feature matchups between Eastern and Western European teams, creating a compelling narrative that attracts attention from both English-speaking and Russian-speaking audiences.
Despite the dominance of European teams and viewers, it’s important to note that American and Asian viewership numbers are more unpredictable. Matches between teams from different regions often see a surge in viewership, driven by the intrigue of seeing how diverse teams perform against each other. For instance, the match between ENCE and Team Vitality was the most-watched among matches featuring teams from the same region, although it still couldn’t surpass the viewership of cross-regional matchups.
Esports and Its Growing Influence
As esports continues to evolve, events like the European RMR B at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 play a key role in shaping the industry. The success of these tournaments demonstrates the growing influence of esports on a global scale, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch their favorite teams and players. As the esports scene shifts with new formats and evolving structures, fans can expect even more exciting events and record-breaking moments in the future.
In conclusion, the European RMR B at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 has set a new benchmark in esports viewership. With a combination of unexpected results, intense competition, and increasing global fan engagement, this event has cemented itself as a milestone in the history of RMR tournaments. As we look ahead to the future, it’s clear that the esports scene is growing more dynamic, and the excitement surrounding these tournaments will continue to drive viewership and fan participation.
