ESL One Bangkok 2024: A Landmark Return for Dota 2 in Thailand

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The curtains have closed on ESL One Bangkok 2024, marking an unforgettable return of premier Dota 2 competitions to Thailand after a six-year hiatus. As the last major tournament of the year, this event showcased thrilling battles, unexpected victories, and promising developments for the future of the game in Southeast Asia.

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A Stunning Underdog Victory

While ESL One Bangkok 2024 brought together some of the biggest names in Dota 2, including The International 2024 champions Team Liquid and the dominant Team Falcons, it was PARIVISION who stole the spotlight. After a two-year hiatus from the professional scene, PARIVISION’s comeback was nothing short of spectacular.

Assembled just two months before the tournament, the team boasted a core of veteran players like No[o]ne and DM, alongside other Eastern European talent. PARIVISION went undefeated in the group stage and powered through the playoffs, defeating AVULUS and BetBoom Team to secure their spot in the Grand Final. Facing Team Liquid in the final showdown, PARIVISION delivered a commanding 3-1 victory, etching their name in the annals of Dota 2 history.

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Viewership Trends: Peaks and Valleys

Despite the electrifying matches, ESL One Bangkok 2024 faced challenges in viewership. The inconvenient time zone for European and North American audiences contributed to a 35.3% drop in total watch time and a 14.9% decline in peak viewership compared to ESL One Birmingham 2024. The average number of viewers across all streams was approximately 103,200—a significant 29.5% decrease.

English-language streams were hit hardest, with a 35.9% dip in average viewership. Meanwhile, Russian-language streams fared slightly better, dropping by just over 11%, bolstered by the strong performance of Eastern European teams like PARIVISION, BetBoom Team, and AVULUS.

Interestingly, the Thai audience turnout was lower than anticipated, with the qualifiers drawing more local viewers than the main event. This was largely due to the underperformance of Southeast Asian teams, many of which failed to advance past the group stage.

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A New Frontier for Esports Broadcasting

The tournament highlighted the rise of Kick as a growing platform for esports coverage. Viewership on Kick tripled compared to earlier ESL Pro Tour events, thanks to new Spanish-language broadcasts, an increase in community casters, and the participation of prominent creators like Armel and Karl.

Among the official channels, dota2_paragon_ru and esl_dota2 led in audience numbers. However, the ESL Dota 2 YouTube channel maintained steady viewership, and Russian pro player RAMZES666 emerged as the most popular community caster, ranking in the top five for average viewers.

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What’s Next for Dota 2?

As 2024 wraps up, the Dota 2 competitive calendar is heating up for 2025. With 12 tournaments offering $1 million prize pools already on the horizon—including the highly anticipated FISSURE PLAYGROUND Belgrade 2025—the stage is set for an action-packed year. November alone promises four high-stakes events, ensuring fans will have plenty of thrilling matches to look forward to.

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Reflecting on ESL One Bangkok 2024

ESL One Bangkok 2024 was more than just a tournament; it was a statement of Thailand’s growing prominence in the global esports arena. Despite viewership hurdles, the event celebrated Dota 2’s enduring appeal, showcased emerging talents, and expanded the game’s reach in Southeast Asia.

Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the numbers and trends shaping the esports world. Don’t miss out on the latest insights—upgrade to our PRO subscription for exclusive content and detailed statistics.

Thailand has set the stage. Now, the world is watching.

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