Riot Games is currently facing a strange paradox with its tactical shooter, Valorant. The esports scene is healthier than ever, yet the casual interest on streaming platforms is taking a nose dive. New reports indicate that Valorant Twitch viewership plummeted in 2025.
Data from analytics platform reveals a stark contrast between the competitive stage and the streaming category. While arenas are selling out for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), the day-to-day engagement on Twitch has dropped significantly.
The Numbers Breakdown
The statistics for 2025 paint a concerning picture for the game’s streaming ecosystem.
- Hours Watched: The category saw a decline of 31%, representing a loss of nearly 270 million hours compared to the previous year.
- Hours Streamed: Content creators are also spending less time on the game. The total hours streamed decreased by 29%.
- Peak Viewership: Perhaps the most shocking metric is the peak concurrent viewership. This figure was almost 50% lower in 2025 than it was in 2024.
This trend was not exclusive to Valorant, though it was one of the hardest hit. League of Legends, another Riot Games flagship, saw a 20% drop in viewership. In contrast, Counter-Strike 2 defied the odds and saw its numbers rise significantly during the same period.
Why Is Viewership Falling?
Several factors contributed to this decline. The most prominent reason appears to be the shifting interest of casual gamers.
1. Rise of New Competitors The gaming landscape in 2025 was incredibly competitive. New titles like Arc Raiders and Marvel Rivals captured the attention of the general gaming audience. As streamers flocked to these fresh experiences, their audiences followed. This naturally siphoned viewers away from established categories like Valorant.
2. The “TenZ Effect” The retirement of Tyson “TenZ” Ngo from professional play cannot be ignored. TenZ was arguably the face of Valorant content creation and esports. Although he continues to stream the game, his departure from the active competitive roster may have reduced the overall hype surrounding the title. When superstar players step back, general interest often wanes.
Is Valorant in Trouble?
Despite these dropping numbers, it is not time to panic. Valorant remains in the top five most-viewed categories on Twitch. The core community is strong, and the esports ecosystem is expanding.
However, the loss of nearly a third of its viewership hours is a signal that Riot Games cannot ignore. The developer may need to look at new ways to engage the casual player base in 2026 to prevent further decline. Whether through in-game events or new content updates, retaining the attention of the Twitch audience will be a key challenge moving forward.