The regional league NLC Winter 2025 has become the most popular tournament in the EMEA region, unexpectedly surpassing LCK, LCS, and LPL in peak viewership. NLC (Northern League Championship) is a league that brings together teams from Scandinavia, the UK, and Ireland, traditionally not among the most prestigious European tournaments. However, this season, interest in it has soared to record levels.

According to the data, 360,545 people followed NLC matches at their peak, which is significantly more than LCK Season Opening 2025 (284,750), LCS Split 2025 (261,090), and even LTA 2025 Cross Conference (291,301). It's worth noting that the LCK Season Opening is not a full-fledged tournament but an exhibition match before the main season starts.

This incredible surge in popularity for NLC Winter 2025 is largely due to the phenomenon of Los Ratones—a team that became the tournament's true revelation. The team, consisting of well-known players and streamers, attracted enormous audience attention, turning NLC matches into a must-watch spectacle for fans.

Caedrel, one of the most popular League of Legends streamers and analysts, significantly influenced the growing interest in NLC matches. His broadcasts, where he actively commented not only on the matches themselves but also on team practices, were well-received by viewers. A unique feature of these streams was that the audience could hear team communication right during official games. This added tension and emotion, making the streams even more engaging.

Top 5 EMEA Leagues by Peak Viewership:

• NLC Winter 2025 – 360,545 (+19,732%)
• LFL Winter 2025 – 111,156 (+8%)
•  TCL Winter 2025 – 86,318 (+34%)
•  Rift Legends Winter 2025 – 52,549 (new league)
•  SuperligaDominos Winter 2025 – 37,082 (-5%)

This result has become a true sensation, as NLC was traditionally considered a second-tier league. However, this season, viewer interest in the tournament skyrocketed by almost 20,000%, securing its leadership not only among EMEA regional leagues but also over several top global championships.