PUBG Esports saw a big fall in viewers after a controversy. The drop was almost 80% compared with the last big tournament, so the story shows how player bans can affect fans.

The latest event, PGS Circuit 4 Series 1, had only 77,781 peak viewers. This is 79.8% lower than the 384,840 peak at the PGS Circuit 3 Series Final. The lower numbers happened after Vietnamese players Himass and TanVuu were given lifetime bans for using outside information to help them play.

The bans caused strong anger in Vietnam. Several Vietnamese streamers said they would stop making PUBG videos. Fans in Thailand and China also supported Himass and TanVuu and said the punishments were too harsh.

Krafton, the game publisher, ended the PUBG Vietnam Series 2026 Phase 2 early. They kept the current standings as the final results. This shows how disciplinary actions can quickly change an esports competition.