Following the conclusion of the Six Mexico Major, the competitive Rainbow Six Siege community looks to enjoy a small hiatus. Accordingly, it’s the perfect opportunity for some analysis and reflection over the past competitive year. Indeed, read on as we dive deep into Competitive R6S 2020/21.
Back and Forth As a Tier 1 Esport
First things first, we’ve got to set some context.
About last year in June, we had a small point to discuss. Indeed, back then we were busy discussing whether or not the esport was actually Tier 1 or not.
Accordingly, back then the title was easily in the running thanks to a combination of high player count, viewership and community activity. With multiple regional leagues and a yearly stellar event, the future looked bright.
However, a year later – is R6S still a Tier 1 Esport?
After a tough year of online events, there have been some losses in certain aspects such as viewership.
However, Ubisoft continues to persevere with this esport, thanks to multiple national leagues.
Fact Sheet – The Best R6S Esports Events Over the Year – Competitive R6S 2020/21
We’ll be kicking off this discussion starting this time last year in August 2020. Do note that here’s where the year starting rough for the season. Indeed, due to safety concerns, the Six August Major couldn’t be held.
Instead, multiple online regional events were held instead of a single offline event.
Six August 2020 Major North America – August 2020
- Peak Viewers – 106,611
- Average Viewers – 37,899
Kicking things off, viewership was hardly as high as previous years across all regions for the yearly August event.
Although a tough pill to swallow, it’s great to see that Ubisoft went ahead despite limitations to the event. In fact, this summarizes the season quite well.
European League Season 1 Stage 2 – September 2020 – Competitive R6S 2020/21
- Peak Viewers – 36,125
- Average Viewers – 21,863
Kicking off the regular season again, we enjoyed the Stage 2 events for multiple regions. However, we’ll have to be honest and say that viewership was very disappointing across the board.
We’ve listed Europe as the region with the highest viewership – bearing this in mind this is quite underwhelming. Regular seasons across this next year look to have the same fate.
Luckily, events would have improved viewership throughout the year.
Six November 2020 Major North America – November 2020
- Peak Viewers – 87,745
- Average Viewers – 53,003
Moving into later this year, Ubisoft held the regional majors in November. Accordingly, here we got to see a nice increase in viewership and a great level of competition. It was at this point in time that South American teams began to slowly become a bigger threat to the competition.
European League 2021 Stage 1 – March/April 2021
- Peak Viewers – 121,925
- Average Viewers – 71,724
Take a look at European League 2020 Stage 2 quickly – look at the incredible difference in viewership. For some reason, viewership increased fourfold.
At this point in time, viewership was also increasing for other major regions such as North American League 2021 Stage 1 event too. Do note that Europe looks to offer more viewership than North America at this point.
North American League 2021 Stage 1 – March/April 2021
- Peak Viewers – 114,995
- Average Viewers – 67,452
As I’l reiterate, viewership was great at this time of year. Especially compared to late last year, competitive Rainbow Six Siege was at an all time high. However, a winner was not coming from these two major regions.
Six Invitational 2021 – May 2021 – Competitive R6S 2020/21
- Peak Viewers – 306,494
- Average Viewers – 156,548
After a tough 2020, Ubisoft really kicked things into to gear with the Six Invitational 2021.
Now officially the third most viewed event in the history of competitive Rainbow Six Siege, the event follows in the steps of the 2018 and 2019 events.
Although having less viewerhip than these two events, the event was incredible for the esport.
Besides incredible viewership, the competition at the $3,000,000 event was insane. It was at this point that the South American region dominated the scene for the world to see – making up the entire top 3 teams.
NAL 2021 Season Stage 2 – June 2021
- Peak Viewers – 66,108
- Average Viewers – 42,623
Later on in the year, an interesting turn of events took place.
Due to low viewership for the Canadian league, Ubisoft decided to merge Canadian and North American leagues into one. Although this worried the community, it also proved to serve an interested league with new competition.
EU League 2021 Stage 2 – June 2021
- Peak Viewers – 69,453
- Average Viewers – 52,343
Meanwhile, over in Europe, we have similar viewership statistics to NAL. Also, you’ll notice that both have reduced compared to earlier in the season.
Again, Ubisoft lost some peak viewership during the regular season – would this be compensated for at the upcoming major?
Six Mexico Major 2021 – August 2021 – Competitive R6S 2020/21
- Peak Viewers – 137,103
- Average Viewers – 86,545
Unfortunately not, with viewership not being too hot at the Six Mexico Major. Bringing everyone back together offline, this still didn’t manage to generate the attention Ubisoft was looking for.
Compared to Six August Majors last year, which were online regional events, this event didn’t manage to improve in an immense manner. Although an increase in viewerhip is great, we’re sure Ubisoft will do better.
It’s been a long year – although R6S survived, can it thrive next year?
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