The professional Apex Legends scene has been experiencing steady growth worldwide, and this year, Japan made a significant mark on the competitive terrain. The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS): 2024 Championship recently concluded in Sapporo, where the world’s best teams clashed for a share of the impressive $2 million prize pool. The competition was fierce, the stakes were high, and the tournament delivered an electrifying end to an action-packed season.
For the first time ever, Japan hosted a major LAN event for Apex Legends, an exciting milestone for the country’s emerging esports industry. Although competitive gaming is still developing in Japan, the ALGS: 2024 Championship attracted a massive crowd, demonstrating the rapid expansion of esports in the region. Despite local teams facing challenges, the event captured audiences, further solidifying Japan’s place in the global esports ecosystem.
A Stacked Lineup of Top Teams
A total of 40 elite teams earned their place in the championship through ranking points and regional qualifiers. The competition featured powerhouse organizations such as FaZe, Cloud9, TSM, Fnatic, Team Liquid, and Team Falcons, among others. With such a stacked lineup, the tournament was bound to deliver unforgettable moments and intense matchups.
GoNext Esports: The Unexpected Champions
Ultimately, it was GoNext Esports—a European team consisting of former Blacklist International players—that emerged as the unexpected champions. To claim victory, teams had to first accumulate at least 50 points through kills and placements in multiple rounds. Once reaching that threshold, the final challenge was securing a first-place finish in the last round, surpassing other teams that had also met the 50-point requirement. GoNext Esports dramatically hit the 50-point mark in round eight, then sealed the championship with a crucial win in round nine. Despite other teams boasting higher general scores, such as Alliance and Team Falcons, GoNext Esports triumphed with their clutch performance.
GoNext Esports (image via Getty)This victory was a surprise to many, as GoNext Esports entered the tournament as underdogs. None of its players had previously achieved a breakthrough on such a massive competitive stage, making their win all the more remarkable and inspiring for aspiring professional players.
Viewership Trends and Challenges
While the ALGS: 2024 Championship did experience a drop in viewership compared to past World Championships, the decline wasn’t drastic. Given that the tournament took place in a time zone that was less convenient for European audiences, a 42% decrease in English-language stream viewership was expected. Despite this, the general ALGS audience remains strong, showing that interest in competitive Apex Legends continues to hold steady year after year.
Schedule Changes and Speculations
One notable change this year was the tournament’s scheduling. Unlike previous ALGS World Championships, which were typically held in summer or fall, the 2024 edition took place in January. The organizers did not provide an official reason for this shift, but fans speculated that it was linked to ongoing improvements in the game’s anti-cheat system. Additionally, the earlier schedule allowed players extra time to secure visas for Japan, ensuring smoother travel logistics.
Japanese Viewership on the Rise
A standout aspect of the ALGS: 2024 Championship was the extraordinary rise in Japanese broadcast viewership. Compared to last year’s World Championship, Japan’s share of total watch time nearly doubled, increasing from 25.8% to an impressive 49.7%. Japanese broadcasts even outperformed English ones in terms of viewership, with local streams leading in both average and peak numbers. Compared to the previous year, average viewership rose by 50.5%, while peak viewership soared by a staggering 110.5%.
Most Popular Streamers and Community Casters
Seven of the top ten most-watched channels covering the event were Japanese. Some of the most popular local casters included Chikara “Shaka” Kawakami, Yuta “stylishnoob” Seki, Junichi Kato, and Shibuya HAL. On the English-language side, Jack “NiceWigg” Martin attracted the largest audience, while Ludwig “Ludwig” Ahgren and Charles “Cr1TiKaL” White Jr. also drew strong numbers while streaming for their team, Shopify Rebellion, which competed in the tournament.
ALGS Championship (image via Getty)ALGS 2024: A Historic Esports Event in Japan
The ALGS: 2024 Championship became Japan’s third most-watched esports event of all time. The highest viewership record in the country belongs to VCT 2023: Masters Tokyo, which peaked at 830,369 viewers. Among traditional PC esports events, however, the ALGS: 2024 Championship secured the second spot, proving the growing popularity of Apex Legends in Japan.
Most Popular Esports LAN Tournaments in Japan
- VCT 2023: Masters Tokyo (Valorant) – 830,369 peak viewers
- Monster Strike Grand Prix 2023 Japan (Monster Strike) – 545,118 peak viewers
- ALGS: 2024 Championship (Apex Legends) – 540,364 peak viewers
- Rage Spring 2018 (Shadowverse) – 505,662 peak viewers
- Monster Strike Dreamdaze 2023 (Monster Strike) – 421,411 peak viewers
Exciting Updates for ALGS Year 5
ALGS Year 5 introduced several exciting changes to its competition format and general program. The updates included a brand-new LAN format, legend bans, a fresh map, modifications to the point system, expanded prize pools, and regional consolidation. The first games of the Preseason Qualifiers are set to kick off on February 22, with regional tournament registration now open. Players and fans can stay updated on tournament results and esports viewership statistics by checking out the tournaments section on Esports Charts.
As Apex Legends continues to cement itself as a major force in esports, the ALGS: 2024 Championship stands as a landmark event in Japan’s gaming history. With incredible performances, thrilling competition, and rising viewership, the tournament set the stage for an even brighter future in the Apex Legends competitive scene.
