The much-anticipated IEM Cologne 2023 kicked off on July 26, with fans from around the globe tuning in to watch the exhilarating action from the double-elimination Play-In Stage. The first two days alone have witnessed a considerable surge in viewership, outperforming last year’s edition, which was a two-day event instead of the current three.
Day One and Two Recap
Teams like MOUZ, Fnatic, Monte, and Astralis have already advanced to the Group Stage, while the remaining four positions will be determined by today’s matches. Some of the exciting face-offs lined up for today include:
- FURIA Esports vs The MongolZ
- Apeks vs OG
- 9INE vs Team Liquid
- Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Imperial Esports (Lower bracket round 2)
Unfortunately, some teams, including Into The Breach, Complexity, BIG, and Grayhound, have already exited the tournament. The departure of BIG, a German team, is perhaps the most shocking news so far. However, as the qualifications conclude, the Group Stage will commence on July 29 and will be followed by the Playoffs from August 4 to August 6.
Early Viewership Stats
The viewership stats from the first two days of IEM Cologne 2023 have been impressive, outshining the previous year’s figures. The event recorded:
- 5M Hours Watched
- 411K Peak Viewers
- 234K Average Viewers
All this happened over an airtime of 21 hours and 20 minutes, indicating a strong interest among the fans. The peak match so far was the trans-continental clash between Australia’s Grayhound Gaming and Brazil’s FURIA Esports, pulling in a staggering 365K Peak Viewers.
Teams Moving to the Group Stage
Several teams have directly qualified for the Group Stage. They include:
Group A
- Heroic
- GamerLegion
- Cloud9
- ENCE
Group B
- Team Vitality
- Natus Vincere
- G2 Esports
- FaZe Clan
The winners from each group will directly advance to the Semifinals of the Playoffs, while the second and third-placed teams from each group will face off in the Playoffs Quarterfinals.
The Language of Fans
Interestingly, Portuguese has dominated the viewership with 43.76% of the overall watch hours, compared to English at 39.18%. A significant contributor to this is the signing of FalleN, who transitioned from Imperial Esports to FURIA Esports. The two-time Major champion has a vast following, which has boosted viewership numbers.
The Impact of Streaming
CS:GO Twitch star gaules has also been instrumental in driving viewership, streaming more than half of his entire watch hours from 2022 in just two days. Another streamer, ohnePixel, has already surpassed his total watch-hours from last year, making a significant impact on the event’s initial success.
Comparisons and Predictions
Compared to IEM Cologne 2022, this year has seen a marked improvement in all departments. This is in part due to streamers like gaules and teams like Imperial Esports and FURIA Esports that continue to draw large crowds online. The new team rosters after the summer reshuffle have also piqued fans’ interest, who are eager to see their favorite sides battle against fellow giants.
The $1M prize pool remains a significant motivation for all teams still in the running. There’s a lot to play for, and the usual suspects like NAVI, Team Liquid, Heroic, and Team Vitality are already fan favorites. As we gear up for an exciting week of action, the world watches with bated breath, making the IEM Cologne 2023 a tournament to remember.
A Deeper Dive Into the Matches
The first couple of days at the IEM Cologne 2023 has seen a plethora of intense battles on the digital field. Let’s delve into some of the matches that have caught the audience’s attention.
FURIA Esports and Grayhound Gaming put up an outstanding match, with a peak viewership of 365K. The international rivalry and high stakes made this match the most-watched so far. FURIA, hailing from Brazil, and Grayhound, from Australia, brought their distinctive playstyles to the game, setting the arena ablaze with thrilling moves and nail-biting showdowns. Their fanbases have been eagerly waiting for the moment to see them in action, and the match didn’t disappoint.
Another face-off that has the fans on edge is between 9INE and Team Liquid. Team Liquid, an experienced squad with numerous accolades to their name, is a team that many predict to go far in the tournament. 9INE, on the other hand, has shown promise and could potentially be the dark horse of the tournament.
The Role of Streamers
Streamers play a crucial role in driving the viewership of esports events like IEM Cologne. gaules, a popular CS:GO streamer, has been streaming his reactions and commentary on the matches, which has significantly boosted viewership. The streamer has managed to stream over half of his total watch hours from the entire year of 2022 in just the first two days of the tournament.
Similarly, ohnePixel, another famous streamer, has surpassed his total watch hours from the last year, thanks to IEM Cologne 2023. His commentary, known for its wit and engaging nature, has kept his audience hooked, subsequently boosting the overall viewership.
These figures underline the influential role streamers have in the success of esports events, as they offer fans a more personalized and interactive experience. They play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community among fans, enhancing their enjoyment of the game, and elevating the overall experience.
Anticipation for the Upcoming Matches
The competition is far from over, and with the Group Stage and Playoffs yet to come, there are plenty more thrilling matches to look forward to. Teams are gearing up for the high-stakes battles ahead, and fans can’t wait to see who will come out on top. With the promise of fierce competition, ingenious strategies, and unparalleled gameplay, the excitement surrounding the IEM Cologne 2023 is only set to escalate in the coming days.
