50 Facts About Twitchcon

The Birth and Growth of TwitchCon

TwitchCon has become a must-attend event for streamers, gamers, and fans alike. Let's dive into its origins and evolution.

1. TwitchCon was first held on September 25, 2015, in San Francisco. This inaugural event marked the beginning of a new era for Twitch, showcasing its commitment to fostering a community around live streaming.

2. TwitchCon is held semi-annually, with one event in Europe and one in North America. The European convention has been hosted in various locations, including the Netherlands, Paris, and Berlin, while the North American convention has primarily taken place in California and Las Vegas.

3. As of 2024, the European convention is set to be held in Rotterdam until 2026, and the North American convention will be hosted at the San Diego Convention Center until 2028. These locations provide ample space and facilities to accommodate the growing number of attendees.

4. The attendance at TwitchCon has varied over the years. The 2024 event in Rotterdam saw 11,500 attendees, while the 2022 event in San Diego drew 30,000 people.

5. TwitchCon is organized by Twitch Interactive, with notable sponsors including AT&T, CAPCOM, Chevron, and Samsung Galaxy for the 2024 San Diego event. These sponsors help make the event possible and add to the overall experience.

TwitchCon's European Expansion

TwitchCon's reach extends beyond North America, with significant events in Europe.

6. The first European TwitchCon was held in Berlin in 2019. This marked a significant expansion of the event beyond North America.

7. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TwitchCon North America was initially canceled in 2020. Instead, a virtual event called "GlitchCon" was held on November 14, 2020, featuring various activities including Twitch Rivals tournaments for Fortnite and Fall Guys.

8. GlitchCon included notable activities such as the Austin Talent Show with judges T-Pain and Andy Milonakis, and a $1 million donation to the AbleGamers foundation. This virtual event kept the community engaged during the pandemic.

9. The next in-person event after GlitchCon was held in Amsterdam in 2022. This signaled a return to traditional conventions.

10. TwitchCon North America took place in San Diego in October 2022, with face coverings and COVID-19 prevention protocols in place. The event featured a party at Petco Park with performances by Meet Me at The Altar, Kim Petras, and Megan Thee Stallion.

Challenges and Highlights

TwitchCon has faced its share of challenges but also boasts many highlights.

11. The San Diego 2022 event faced criticism for its lack of security protocols. This led to overcrowded venues and reported stalking incidents.

12. An interactive exhibit by Lenovo and Intel resulted in injuries, including a streamer breaking her back. This incident highlighted the need for better safety measures.

13. Interactive exhibits like the one by Lenovo and Intel have been a highlight of TwitchCon. These exhibits offer unique experiences for attendees but must ensure proper safety measures.

14. TwitchCon includes various community meetups aimed at bringing online communities offline. These meetups cater to different groups, including cosplayers, women in gaming, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

15. The Creator Camp at TwitchCon offers educational panels for aspiring and established streamers. These sessions cover topics like the path to Partner status on Twitch, working with brands, and creating engaging streams.

Twitch Rivals and Networking

TwitchCon is a hub for esports and networking opportunities.

16. TwitchCon features the Twitch Rivals Arena, where popular streamers compete in games like League of Legends, VALORANT, and Fall Guys. These competitions are streamed live on Twitch and attract a significant audience.

17. Exhibitors and sponsors play a crucial role at TwitchCon. Headline sponsors like Samsung Galaxy and NYX Professional Makeup showcase their products and services, while other exhibitors include Chess.com, Crocs, Cakewalk, and Jackbox Games.

18. TwitchCon provides valuable networking opportunities for streamers and content creators. The event allows them to meet industry professionals, discover new products, and trial new games.

19. The attendance at TwitchCon has been steadily increasing over the years. The event has grown from a small gathering in San Francisco to a large-scale convention in San Diego and Rotterdam.

20. TwitchCon's global reach extends beyond North America and Europe. The event has attracted attendees from various countries, reflecting the international nature of the Twitch community.

Cultural Significance and Esports

TwitchCon is a cultural event that celebrates live streaming and esports.

21. TwitchCon serves as a cultural event, celebrating the intersection of live streaming, entertainment, esports, and internet culture. It provides a platform for streamers to connect with their audiences in person.

22. Esports is deeply integrated into TwitchCon, with tournaments and competitions featuring popular games like League of Legends and VALORANT. These events attract professional gamers and enthusiasts alike.

23. The IRL (In Real Life) streaming community has a significant presence at TwitchCon. These meetups allow streamers to connect with their audiences in real life, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.

24. Paris, the host city for the 2023 European TwitchCon, adds an extra layer of excitement to the event. The city's iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral create an ideal backdrop for the convention.

25. France has a thriving esports scene, with several important events held in the country recently. The French government's support for esports has contributed to the growth of the industry in France.

Twitch Statistics and Popularity

TwitchCon's success is tied to the platform's impressive statistics and popularity.

26. As of 2024, Twitch boasts an impressive 241.7 million unique website visitors and 7.36 million total streamers. The platform sees over 2.5 million concurrent viewers at any given time, with 37% of users accessing it via mobile devices.

27. The most popular stream languages on Twitch include English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, German, French, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, and Chinese. This diversity reflects the global nature of the Twitch community.

28. Twitch ranks as the 6th most commonly used social media platform among US-based video gamers. Its popularity is a testament to its strong user base and engaging content.

29. There are 35 million monthly active Twitch users in the US alone. This number reflects the platform's widespread adoption and usage.

30. Twitch recorded an all-time peak of 2.3 billion hours of watch time in May 2021. This figure underscores the immense popularity of live streaming on the platform.

Streamers and Content

TwitchCon celebrates the platform's top streamers and diverse content.

31. The average number of concurrent broadcasting channels on Twitch was recorded at 98,056 in December 2023. This statistic highlights the platform's ability to support a large number of simultaneous streams.

32. Global monthly Twitch users have grown from 3.2 million in 2011 to 240 million in 2023. This exponential growth reflects the platform's increasing popularity over the years.

33. Ninja is currently the most popular streamer on Twitch with over 18 million followers. His influence and popularity have contributed significantly to the growth of the platform.

34. Riot Games, which hosts League of Legends tournaments, has the most views on Twitch. The popularity of these tournaments is a major factor in the platform's high viewership numbers.

35. Twitch was acquired by Amazon for $1 billion in August 2014. This acquisition has helped the platform expand its resources and capabilities, further solidifying its position in the market.

User Engagement and Popular Games

TwitchCon highlights the platform's ability to engage users and showcase popular games.

36. Users spend an average of 95 minutes per day on Twitch. This statistic underscores the platform's ability to engage users for extended periods.

37. The peak viewing time on Twitch is at 4 p.m. EST. This timing reflects the busy schedules of many gamers who often stream during their breaks or after work.

38. The most popular games streamed on Twitch include League of Legends, Fortnite, and Grand Theft Auto V. These games attract a large audience and contribute significantly to the platform's high viewership numbers.

39. Just Chatting streams get an average of 350,000 viewers per stream. These streams often feature popular streamers chatting with their audiences, providing entertainment and community engagement.

40. Twitch offers various monetization options for streamers, including subscriptions, donations, and ad revenue. These options have helped many streamers turn their passion into a career.

Emotes, Tools, and Daily Engagement

TwitchCon showcases the platform's unique features and daily engagement.

41. The Kappa emote is the most popular emote on Twitch. It is often used to express sarcastic replies during streams and has become an iconic part of Twitch culture.

42. The Twitch Launcher is a collection of Minecraft mods that allows players to customize and tweak the game's graphics and designs. This launcher is also known as the Curse Launcher.

43. Around 355 billion minutes’ worth of content is watched daily on Twitch. This staggering figure reflects the immense popularity of live streaming on the platform.

44. Twitch Prime awards subscribers with exclusive in-game loot each month. This benefit is part of the premium service offered by Twitch, providing additional value to subscribers.

45. Interactive exhibits like the one by Lenovo and Intel have been a highlight of TwitchCon. These exhibits provide unique experiences for attendees but must ensure proper safety measures to avoid incidents.

Community and Future of TwitchCon

TwitchCon fosters community engagement and looks toward a bright future.

46. TwitchCon encourages community engagement through various meetups and activities. These events help foster a sense of community and camaraderie among attendees.

47. Esports competitions are a significant part of TwitchCon, featuring popular games like League of Legends and VALORANT. These competitions attract professional gamers and enthusiasts alike.

48. The IRL streaming community has a dedicated presence at TwitchCon. These meetups allow streamers to connect with their audiences in real life, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.

49. Paris, the host city for the 2023 European TwitchCon, adds an extra layer of excitement to the event. The city's iconic landmarks and charming streets create an ideal backdrop for the convention.

50. France has a thriving esports scene, with several important events held in the country recently. The French government's support for esports has contributed to the growth of the industry in France.

The Future of TwitchCon

TwitchCon has grown into a massive event that brings together streamers, gamers, and fans from all over the world. From its humble beginnings in San Francisco in 2015 to its current status as a global phenomenon, TwitchCon continues to evolve. With events planned in Rotterdam and San Diego for the next few years, there's no sign of it slowing down.

The convention offers something for everyone: esports competitions, community meetups, educational panels, and interactive exhibits. Despite some hiccups, like the security issues in San Diego 2022, the event remains a cornerstone for the Twitch community.

As Twitch continues to grow, so will TwitchCon. It’s not just a convention; it’s a celebration of the culture and community that make Twitch special. Whether you're a streamer, a fan, or just curious, TwitchCon is an event worth experiencing.