Leading video game livestreaming platform Twitch has further extended its reach beyond the gaming space with the addition of a traditional sports category. Labeled simply as “Sports,” the category joins similar expansions of Twitch’s scope including “Music & Performing Arts,” “Fitness & Health,” and “Just Chatting” – the latter of which is currently the most-watched category on the platform. Channels streaming under the category at the time of writing range from rebroadcasts of old soccer matches, sports talk shows, wrestling content, and video from a 2012 roller derby event.
As part of the kickoff for its new vertical, Twitch announced a collaboration with four popular soccer clubs: Real Madrid, Arsenal, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain (many of whom are also actively involved in supporting esports initiatives). These clubs will produce exclusive content on Twitch. Real Madrid and Arsenal already have Twitch channels that have been broadcasting content; Real Madrid for several months, and Arsenal since mid-July. Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are expected to debut their channels soon.
Twitch has steadily increased its engagement with the traditional sports world over the last year or so, broadcasting Thursday Night Football games with popular streamers providing commentary, and recently announcing that coverage of four matches from the Premier League would be broadcast on the platform for viewers in the U.K. Many professional athletes also stream their own content on the platforms including Los Angeles Chargers player Austin Ekeler, F1 driver Lando Norris, and WWE superstars Claudio Castagnoli (ring name Cesaro) and Xavier Woods, among others.
