The NLC Winter 2025 tournament has shattered all previous records, firmly establishing itself as one of the most-watched League of Legends regional competitions in history. The event was driven by the participation of Los Ratones, the team founded by renowned co-caster Marc Robert “Caedrel” Lamont, whose presence propelled the series to unprecedented heights. With its remarkable success, NLC Winter 2025 has not only outperformed previous iterations but has also rivaled some of the biggest LoL leagues worldwide.
Los Ratones’ dominant run in the tournament was instrumental in setting a new benchmark. The grand final between Los Ratones and NORD Esports recorded an astounding 360,545 Peak Viewers (PV), marking a 2471% increase over the next-highest entry. This staggering viewership figure placed NLC Winter 2025 among the most-watched League of Legends tournaments of the year, competing with events like the LTA 2025 Cross-Conference, LPL Split 1 2025, and LCP Split 1 2025.
Most Popular League of Legends Tournaments in 2025
Los Ratones, founded by former professional player Caedrel, boasts a star-studded lineup featuring top-tier players such as Simon “Baus” Hofverberg, Veljko “Velja” Čamdžić, Tim “Nemesis” Lipovšek, Juš “Crowshot” Marušič, and Carl “Rekkles” Martin Erik Larsson. Their performance at NLC Winter 2025 was nothing short of dominant, as they defeated NORD Esports three times throughout the competition, dropping only a single game in those encounters.
The event’s viewership numbers cemented its place in history. The 360,545 peak concurrent viewers set a new record for the Northern LoL Championship, significantly outpacing previous tournaments. This incredible surge in popularity indicates a shift in the competitive terrain, with NLC becoming a must-watch event for League of Legends fans.
Los Ratones Triumph in NLC Winter 2025 (image via Getty)NLC Winter 2025 Viewership Statistics and Key Matches
NLC Winter 2025 also set records in general watch time and average viewership. With 4.1 million Hours Watched (HW) and an impressive 47,267 Average Viewers (AV) across 87 hours of airtime, the event outperformed all its predecessors. Several popular co-streamers contributed to this success, including Frederik “Noway4u_sir” Hinteregger, Niklot “Tolkin” Stüber, and Christian “Iwdominate” Rivera, who brought in additional audiences through their live coverage.
Furthermore, Los Ratones’ roster members streamed the matches on their personal channels, attracting thousands of dedicated fans eager to watch their favorite player-streamers in action. This cross-platform engagement played a crucial role in boosting the tournament’s general reach and visibility.
Los Ratones Triumph in NLC Winter 2025 (image via Getty)The Future of NLC and Its Rising Popularity
With Los Ratones leading the charge, the NLC is experiencing an unprecedented surge in audience engagement. The presence of popular European players who have successfully transitioned into streaming has broadened the championship’s appeal, making it a serious contender among tier-2 European leagues.
The continued participation of Los Ratones and their ongoing success will be crucial in sustaining this momentum. If they maintain their dominance, NLC could soon rival other established European leagues such as the LFL, LVP SuperLiga, and Prime League. The coming months will be critical in determining whether this breakthrough viewership is a one-time phenomenon or the beginning of a new era for the Northern LoL Championship.
