The Dota 2 Bali Major has faced a significant challenge in attracting viewership, making it the least watched Valve event of 2023 so far. Despite being held in one of the most passionate Dota 2 regions, the tournament's group stages have failed to captivate audiences as statistics reveal lackluster viewership compared to its counterparts, the Lima and Berlin Majors.

One of the primary factors contributing to the Bali Major's viewership woes is the timing of the matches. With live games occurring during inconvenient hours for European and North American fans, many enthusiasts find themselves either asleep or occupied with work when the action unfolds. The absence of viewers from these two regions has undoubtedly impacted the overall viewership numbers for the Bali Major.

Additionally, fans have expressed their discontent with other aspects of the tournament. Complaints range from production quality issues to the lack of a YouTube broadcast and poor stream quality. The English streams, in particular, have been plagued by constant stuttering and tearing, leading to frustration among Dota 2 players from Europe and North America who made an effort to stay up and watch the event.

It's worth noting that the recent DreamLeague Season 20, which took place just a few days prior to the Bali Major, may have contributed to Dota 2 burnout among fans. DreamLeague impressed with its high production standards and quality gameplay, making the Bali Major pale in comparison.

In response to the disappointing viewership figures, Esports Charts shared research conducted in 2022, suggesting that tournaments held in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region could attract more viewers by utilizing time slots between 9 am and 12 pm GMT.

Also read: Bali Dota Major 2023: Azure Ray's Bug Abuse Allegations Prove Unfounded

As the Bali Major moves into its playoffs, there is still a glimmer of hope for an upswing in Dota 2 viewer numbers. However, it seems unlikely that any significant schedule changes will be implemented at this stage.