MLG Columbus breaks records as the highest watched CS: GO event

With the conclusion of MLG Columbus events some interesting numbers were revealed today about the tournament, which is now considered to be the largest Counter-Strike event ever breaking records left and right.

More than 1.6 million people watched MLG Columbus compared to last year’s 1.3 million record which was set by IEM Cologne major. The event in Columbus also broke previous records in total hours watched, setting the bar at 45 million total, 11 million more than IEM Cologne last year.

Excitement for the event began to build as soon as Valve announced the increased major pool. MLG Columbus was the first $1 million event for the game which is a prize pool four times larger than previous majors. Combined with the fact that it was the first ever major tournament in North America, MLG had all it takes to break records.

More than 10,000 fans per day watched from the stands of the Nationwide Arena in Columbus as Luminosity claimed the title over Natus Vincere in the grand final.

IEM CologneCologne is up next in July. You can expect that tournament to once again smash records if the trend continues.