TL;DR
- LCK Spring and Summer Splits ranked as second and third most-watched esports tournaments globally in 2020
- DAMWON Gaming achieved an unprecedented double by winning both LCK Summer and Worlds 2020
- T1’s Spring victory and Faker’s popularity drove exceptional viewership numbers
- League of Legends esports continues significant growth with 140M+ hours watched for Worlds
- LCK transitions to franchising model in 2021, aligning with LEC and LCS structures
South Korea’s premier League of Legends competition, the LCK, demonstrated extraordinary viewership performance throughout 2020, establishing itself as the dominant regional league globally behind only the World Championship in overall audience engagement metrics.
Throughout the competitive season, the LCK maintained consistently high viewer engagement levels that surpassed all other esports leagues worldwide. According to comprehensive data from Esports Charts analytics, both the Spring and Summer Splits ranked among the top three most-watched tournaments globally when measured by total hours viewed, with only the international World Championship exceeding their performance metrics.
Most watched #esports tournaments in 2020:
#1 – #Worlds2020
#2 – #LCK Spring @LCK_Global
#3 – #LCK Summer @LCK_Global
#4 – #LEC Summer @LEC
#5 – #PMWL East @esportspubgmMore results in blog:https://t.co/qY16QH9MqF pic.twitter.com/cfGEw6g4Ax
— Esports Charts (@EsportsCharts) December 30, 2020
These impressive statistics highlight two crucial aspects of the esports ecosystem: League of Legends maintains an enormous global audience, and Korea continues to represent a central hub for elite competitive gameplay. The data collection methodology employed by Esports Charts specifically excludes Chinese streaming platforms, suggesting that the LPL likely commands even larger audience numbers when considering all regional markets. Despite this limitation, the figures gathered from Western and Korean broadcasting platforms demonstrate remarkable engagement levels that underscore the league’s international appeal.
The European LEC league positioned as the closest competitor to LCK viewership, recording approximately 41 million watched hours during its summer split. The summer competitive period typically generates heightened excitement as organizations compete for qualification to the annual World Championship tournament. Interestingly, contrary to seasonal patterns observed in other regions, the LCK’s most viewed split occurred during the spring season rather than summer.
This unexpected viewership pattern likely connects directly to T1’s strong performance and eventual championship victory in that split. The legendary mid-laner Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok and his T1 teammates remain the most popular competitive organization in Korea, consistently attracting massive audience numbers whenever they compete.
Looking toward the 2021 competitive season, industry analysts project continued growth in viewership metrics. The 2020 World Championship approaching nearly 140 million viewing hours provides compelling evidence that League of Legends competitive scene continues its expansion trajectory. As live events potentially resume in 2021, the combination of stadium attendance and broadcast viewership could generate unprecedented audience engagement numbers for the ecosystem.
The 2021 LoL season officially kicks off in January.
What is the LCK?
The League Championship Korea, universally recognized as the LCK, represents the highest level of professional League of Legends competition in South Korea. The league features the ten most elite teams from the region and will transition to a franchised organizational model beginning in 2021, aligning its structure with other major leagues including the LEC, LCS, and LPL. Throughout its storied history, the LCK has hosted numerous legendary organizations that have shaped competitive League of Legends, with DAMWON Gaming serving as the most recent exemplar following their 2020 World Championship victory.
Who won the LCK 2020?
The LCK competitive calendar divides into two primary splits annually, designated as Spring and Summer. During the 2020 Spring Split, the championship was secured by the legendary organization T1 following an overwhelmingly dominant playoff performance. The Summer Split witnessed the emergence of DAMWON Gaming as the dominant force, with no competing teams able to match their strategic execution and mechanical prowess. DAMWON delivered what many analysts described as a near-perfect split performance, suffering only two game losses throughout the entire season before claiming the championship trophy.
Who won the LoL Worlds 2020?
DAMWON Gaming captured the 2020 World Championship title immediately following their dominant LCK Summer Split victory. Entering the 2020 season, few industry observers anticipated DAMWON would emerge as the organization hoisting the Summoner’s Cup, yet their methodical roster development and continuous strategic refinements ultimately yielded championship results. Within just two competitive seasons, DAMWON completed a remarkable journey from LCK qualification to becoming world champions, establishing one of the most impressive growth trajectories in competitive League of Legends history.
Action Checklist
- Review Esports Charts data to understand viewership distribution patterns across different regions and tournaments
- Analyze team performance impact on viewership, particularly T1’s influence during Spring Split
- Compare LCK’s franchising transition with other major leagues’ structural models
- Study DAMWON’s development trajectory from qualification to world championship
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » The LCK tops viewer charts in 2020 right behind LoL Worlds Exploring LCK's 2020 dominance, viewership records, and the rise of DAMWON Gaming in League of Legends esports