Combined esports viewership in Australia has doubled year-on-year in the first six months of 2026, according to aggregated platform data from Twitch, YouTube and Kick. Major domestic tournaments and improved broadcast production are cited as primary drivers.
Fastest-Growing Titles
- Counter-Strike 2 — +128% watch hours
- Valorant — +96% watch hours
- League of Legends OCE — +74% watch hours
Audience Breakdown
| Platform | Share of OCE hours | YoY growth |
|---|---|---|
| Twitch | 52% | +81% |
| YouTube | 31% | +102% |
| Kick | 17% | +210% |
Industry Implications
- Sponsors are shifting budgets from display ads to embedded broadcast segments.
- Free-to-air trials for grand finals are under discussion with networks.
- University esports programs report higher enrolment inquiries.
Analysts caution that viewership spikes around majors may normalise in the second half of the year.
