The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) has officially announced the nominees for the 46th Sports Emmy Awards, and esports has once again carved out a space among traditional sports coverage. In the increasingly recognized category of Outstanding Esports Championship Coverage, five major esports events have been shortlisted, including two notable productions: ESL’s IEM Cologne 2024 and Activision’s Call of Duty League 2024 Playoffs.
Nominees for Outstanding Esports Championship Coverage
This year’s esports-focused nominations feature some of the most-watched and celebrated tournaments from the global competitive gaming scene. The full list of nominees includes:
- Call of Duty League 2024 Playoffs (Call of Duty)
- The International 2024 (Dota 2)
- IEM Cologne 2024 (Counter-Strike)
- Worlds 2024 (League of Legends)
- VALORANT Champions 2024 (Valorant)
Each nominated event demonstrated remarkable production quality and drew massive global audiences, solidifying the legitimacy and popularity of esports on a worldwide scale. Among the nominees, four are international tournaments, with the Call of Duty League being the only one with a predominantly North American audience. Despite this regional focus, it continues to be a strong contender due to its consistently high viewership and professional broadcasting standards.
Global Reach and Record-Breaking Viewership
International tournaments such as Worlds 2024, The International 2024, and VALORANT Champions 2024 attracted peak viewership numbers exceeding one million viewers each (excluding platforms in China), underscoring the explosive growth and reach of competitive gaming. The Worlds 2024 final, held at the iconic O2 Arena in London, was a landmark event for esports, breaking records by drawing over 6.8 million concurrent viewers, making it the most-watched esports tournament outside of China. This highlights how games like League of Legends continue to lead the charge in terms of global engagement and entertainment value.
IEM Cologne 2024 (image via Getty)IEM Cologne 2024 and Call of Duty League 2024: Esports Powerhouses
IEM Cologne 2024, produced by ESL, stands out as one of the premier Counter-Strike events and remains a favorite among fans and critics alike for its high-stakes matches and electric live atmosphere. Similarly, the Call of Duty League 2024 Championship continues to uplift the franchise’s esports credentials, showcasing the best talent and offering a broadcast experience comparable to traditional sports events.
The Growing Influence of Esports in the Sports Emmy Awards
The inclusion of esports in the Sports Emmy Awards began in 2020, reflecting the evolving terrain of sports broadcasting. Over the years, top-tier tournaments like Valorant Masters, Worlds, and the BLAST.tv Paris Major have been recognized, with the League of Legends World Championship taking home the award last year.
The 46th Sports Emmy Awards Ceremony Details
The 46th Sports Emmy Awards will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at the prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. The event will honor excellence in sports broadcasting across 47 categories, and this year’s ceremony will be hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr. Fans and industry professionals can tune into the event live via the Emmys website and official apps.
IEM Cologne 2024 (image via Getty)Esports and Traditional Sports: A Growing Parity
As esports continues to gain mainstream recognition, its presence at high-profile industry award ceremonies like the Sports Emmys marks a pivotal moment for the future of competitive gaming. With high production values, global fan engagement, and record-breaking viewership, these events are proving to be on par with—and in some cases surpassing—traditional sporting spectacles.
