The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice 2024 has delivered an exciting dose of Counter-Strike 2 to kick off the year. However, this edition has been special not only for what happened within the servers but also outside of them.
The Spodek Arena was packed to the rafters to witness Danil “donk” Kryshkovets make history, and viewership numbers soared across platforms. According to Esports Charts data, the IEM has seen an increase in viewership compared to 2023.
Record-Breaking Viewership
This year’s IEM Katowice reached a peak of 972,312 viewers, just shy of the million mark. Unsurprisingly, the most-watched matchup was the grand final between Team Spirit and FaZe Clan. However, the ‘law of the ex’ was also a major draw in Poland.
The second most-watched match, with 564,783 viewers, was ENCE versus Team Falcons, marking the reunion of Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer, Álvaro “SunPayus” García, and Pavle “maden” Bošković against their former club.
Comparing to Previous Edition
Coming close to the million-viewer mark has left a positive impression within the Counter-Strike community, especially when comparing to the viewership of the previous edition of IEM Katowice. In 2023, the championship peaked at 726,717 viewers during the final between G2 Esports and Heroic.
The interest was not as high as this year, as reflected in the second most-watched match. The Natus Vincere versus Heroic matchup did not surpass the 500,000 viewer mark like ENCE-Falcons or FaZe-G2.
Fourth Most-Watched IEM Katowice in History
The debut of Counter-Strike 2 at IEM Katowice has been highly positive, not only compared to 2023 but also considering the historical context. The 2024 edition ranks as the fourth most-watched in the history of Counter-Strike. This IEM is only surpassed by the 2019 Major, the 2022 edition, and the 2020 edition.
In essence, only by very recent editions that managed to surpass the million-viewer mark. Now, the shooter community focuses on the Regional Major Ranking (RMR) of the Copenhagen Major, the first in CS2 history.
Team Spirit Triumphs at IEM Katowice 2024 Defeating FaZe Clan
IEM Katowice 2024 Sets New Records with Record-Breaking Viewership
The IEM Katowice 2024 has left an indelible mark in the history of Counter-Strike, setting new records and thrilling audiences worldwide. As the community eagerly anticipates future events and milestones, the success of this year’s tournament serves as a testament to the enduring popularity and excitement of competitive gaming.