Over the past three years, Karmine Corp has rapidly built one of the largest and most passionate fan bases in League of Legends. Now, this formidable team has joined the LEC and is poised for a remarkable debut in 2024 that is expected to break records.
The French esports organization, led by one of France’s most popular streamers, Kamel “Kameto” Kebir, has made a significant impact since its inception. It entered the LFL and quickly gained momentum through strong fan engagement and outstanding on-stage performances, bolstered by the unwavering support of French fans.
The arrival of the Blue Wall is a welcome addition to the LEC, especially as viewership has declined following significant changes to the league’s format. League viewership has dropped by 50 percent from the previous year, with fans expressing dissatisfaction with the current system, including numerous inconsequential games with minimal impact on the season and international tournaments.
Karmine Corp’s influence in the European League ecosystem cannot be overstated. They are by far the most popular team in the EMEA Regional Leagues and have consistently been the most-watched team in the LFL, as well as in every EMEA Masters tournament they’ve participated in.
An illustrative example of their impact can be seen when comparing EMEA Masters viewership with and without Karmine Corp. When the team was absent during the Spring Split, the tournament peaked at around 108,000 viewers during İstanbul Wildcats’ series against Unicorns Of Love. However, when Karmine Corp returned during the summer, the tournament achieved a peak of just under 300,000 viewers, according to Esports Charts. The Blue Wall is expected to bring a significant increase in viewers to the LEC broadcast, including the sizable French fanbase.
Karmine Corp is also anticipated to draw large crowds to Riot Games’ studio in Berlin, similar to the massive stadiums filled with Blue Wall supporters during live events such as the self-hosted KCORP vs. The World tournament. During this event, Karmine Corp’s teams competed in various esports titles, including League, VALORANT, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros.
In 2023, the event filled the Paris La Défense Arena with 28,000 enthusiastic fans donning blue attire. The livestream of the event consistently maintained a six-figure average viewership, regardless of the game being played. The level of support Karmine Corp receives from its dedicated fanbase is strong, and this may lead to a surge in fans attending the studio in 2024.
In terms of viewership, only a few teams in the league can rival Karmine Corp’s massive following, including KOI, Fnatic, and G2 Esports. For instance, during the past summer, MAD Lions and KOI attracted a remarkable 343,000 viewers during their first meeting of the season, surpassing the grand finals between G2 and Excel Esports by approximately 26,000 viewers.
The addition of Karmine Corp to the LEC promises to be a boon for all parties involved. For Kameto and the Blue Wall, it marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of the fastest-rising brands in esports, while the LEC sees the opportunity to expand its reach across Europe in the coming year.