Counter-Strike 2 emerged as certainly one of Twitch’s largest success tales of 2025, standing out in a yr the place a lot of esports’ most established titles noticed sharp declines throughout nearly each main viewership metric.
Counter-Strike accrued 770 million hours watched in 2025, representing a 15.3% year-on-year improve. That development is a stark distinction in comparison with different prime esports on the platform, which skilled important drops in watch time and common viewership, in line with stats from SullyGnome.
Counter-Strike noticed development in all key metrics for Twitch viewership in 2025. Picture Credit score: SullyGnome
Counter-Strike Defies Esports Viewership Downturn
Whereas rivals struggled to carry consideration, Counter-Strike thrived all year long. Stream time elevated by 24.1% to over 13.1 million hours. Common viewership additionally climbed by 15.3%, reaching practically 88,000 common viewers.
The distinction with League of Legends was important. Whereas it did have extra hours watched than CS, LoL ended the yr with 1.02 billion hours watched, a 19% lower year-over-year. Stream time additionally decreased by 23.5%, whereas peak channels dropped by 58%.
Valorant’s numbers declined much more sharply. Riot’s tactical shooter recorded a 30.9% drop in watch time, with common viewership falling to 68,641. Stream time and peak viewers additionally declined closely, in what can be a disappointing set of knowledge for Riot.
Counter-Strike actually bucked the pattern as different video games Twitch viewership dropped off. Picture Credit score: SullyGnome
Dota 2 and Fortnite Proceed to Slide
Dota 2’s downturn was much less dramatic however nonetheless noticeable. Complete watch time dropped 9.8%, with reductions throughout peak channels and common viewers suggesting additional consolidation round main tournaments.
Fortnite remained certainly one of Twitch’s most-streamed titles by broadcast hours, however that quantity didn’t translate into viewers development. Watch time decreased by 26.6%, the typical viewership dropped under 53,000, and peak channels skilled a pointy decline.
Counter-Strike’s 2025 efficiency, though in a roundabout way linked to esports, does display the sport’s well being in comparison with its rivals. A constant aggressive calendar, evergreen gameplay, and powerful creator engagement helped the title climate an in any other case tough yr for esports video games viewership.
