Stream Hatchet's latest data on the most-streamed games of September 2025 reveals a familiar lineup at the top but with some major shifts in viewership trends. The report, covering key platforms like Twitch and several regional streaming services outside China, shows that League of Legends once again led the charts, narrowly surpassing Grand Theft Auto V.
While the ranking order didn't change much from August, most top titles saw noticeable drops in viewing hours. The decline appears to be tied to two main factors: the end of the summer gaming season and Twitch's recent efforts to curb viewbotting, which reduced inflated viewer counts. Despite the slowdown, one game managed to break the trend and post huge gains.
DOTA 2 Tops Streaming Charts
The International 2025 Pushes DOTA 2 Back Into the Spotlight
DOTA 2 was the clear outlier in September's rankings. Valve's long-running multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) title jumped by 119% in total watch time, climbing to third place overall. The surge came as a direct result of The International 2025, the game's premier annual eSports event.
The tournament's high-stakes matches and global attention drew millions of viewers, reaffirming DOTA 2's enduring popularity in the competitive gaming scene. Although this boost is expected to taper off as the event concludes, it highlights how major eSports tournaments can still move the needle significantly in the modern streaming landscape.
New Releases Shake Up the Streaming Scene
Beyond the top three, several new releases made impressive debuts on the September chart. EA Sports FC 26 landed at #11 with 41.6 million hours watched, marking another strong performance for EA's football franchise. Close behind was Hollow Knight: Silksong, which reached #13 with 33 million hours viewed. The success of Silksong stands out, as Metroidvania titles are not traditionally big drivers of livestream viewership.
Other new releases also managed to capture attention. Borderlands 4 and Silent Hill f performed solidly, both earning spots within the top 30. Games like Dying Light: The Beast, Megabonk, and No, I'm Not A Human found their audiences further down the list, showing that September was a particularly active month for new debuts.
DOTA 2 Tops Streaming Charts
Unexpected Hits and Promising Newcomers
A few smaller titles performed well beyond expectations. Baby Steps, a challenging masocore-style game, reached #67 with 3.8 million hours watched, a notable achievement for a niche genre. Meanwhile, Riot Games' upcoming fighter 2XKO appeared at #79, pulling in 3 million hours watched during a Closed Beta period. The early interest around 2XKO suggests strong anticipation ahead of its full release.
Viewership Trends Reflect a Changing Streaming Landscape
While familiar titles continue to dominate, Stream Hatchet's September report points to ongoing changes in how audiences engage with game livestreams. Seasonal shifts, moderation efforts, and major event schedules remain the biggest factors affecting viewership numbers. As platforms refine their analytics and enforcement policies, authentic audience trends are becoming clearer.
With continued growth in eSports, live-service games, and web3-based community platforms, the competition for viewer attention is only set to intensify. For now, DOTA 2's September surge serves as a reminder of the lasting power of competitive gaming to draw massive, global audiences.
Here's a complete list of all the games mentioned:
- DOTA 2
- League of Legends
- GTA V (Grand Theft Auto V)
- EA Sports FC 26
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Borderlands 4
- Silent Hill f
- Dying Light: The Beast
- Megabonk
- No, I'm Not A Human
- Cronos: The New Dawn
- Skate.
- Cloverpit
- Baby Steps
- 2XKO
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the most-streamed game in September 2025? The most-streamed game in September 2025 was League of Legends, followed closely by Grand Theft Auto V.
Why did DOTA 2's viewership increase so much in September 2025? DOTA 2's significant viewership jump was due to The International 2025, the game's annual world championship tournament, which drew millions of fans and boosted its ranking.
Which new games performed well in September 2025? EA Sports FC 26, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Borderlands 4, and Silent Hill f were the most notable new entries, each earning strong viewing numbers during their launch month.
Did overall game streaming viewership decline in September 2025? Yes. Most major titles saw lower viewing hours compared to previous months, partly due to seasonal changes and Twitch's crackdown on viewbotting.
Which upcoming games are gaining early streaming traction? 2XKO, Riot Games' upcoming fighting game, is already attracting significant attention, reaching the Top 100 during its Closed Beta phase with 3 million hours watched.
