What Happened to Kick.com?

Kick.com, officially operated by Kick Streaming Pty Ltd, burst onto the live-streaming scene in December 2022, backed by Stake.com co-founders Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven, along with streaming personality Trainwreckstv. The platform was conceived as a direct competitor to Twitch, primarily distinguished by its highly attractive 95/5 revenue split for streamers—meaning creators keep 95% of subscription revenue, with the remaining 5% covering payment processing fees. This model was a stark contrast to Twitch's standard 50/50 split and became a major draw for creators seeking better monetization.

The platform's initial strategy also involved a more permissive approach to content moderation, notably allowing online gambling streams that Twitch had restricted. This, coupled with significant financial investment from its founders (nearly $1 billion by April 2026), enabled Kick to sign high-profile streamers like xQc and Adin Ross to multi-million-dollar deals in 2023, rapidly boosting its visibility and user base. By 2025, Kick's Partner Program had paid out over $46 million to creators, solidifying its reputation as a viable and lucrative alternative.

Key turning points in Kick's trajectory include its sponsorship of the Sauber Formula One team (Kick Sauber for 2024–2025) in December 2023, which provided significant mainstream exposure. However, its rapid growth was not without controversy, including a regulatory crisis in August 2025 when France initiated legal action following the death of a streamer during a live broadcast. In response to such challenges and its evolving status, Kick began to mature its operations.

As of 2026, Kick has transitioned from a rapid-growth startup to a more established content business. In April 2026, the platform confirmed it had surpassed 100 million total users. Its focus has shifted towards stability, monetization systems, creator support, and content quality. A significant development in March 2026 was the comprehensive update to its Community Guidelines, streamlining rules and introducing a more rigorous, context-aware enforcement stance, particularly concerning AI-generated content, self-harm, and minor safety.

In a major strategic move, Kick launched KICK Ads in August 2026, opening its platform to advertisers for the first time. This move introduced a second major revenue stream for the platform, projected to contribute to an estimated annual revenue of $120 million to $180 million for 2026. The platform also secured significant partnerships in 2026, including becoming an official esports broadcaster for Riot Games' League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics, further diversifying its content and enhancing its credibility. Kick continues to show strong viewership, recording 593.4 million Hours Watched in July 2026, its best monthly result of the year, and maintaining its position as the fourth most-watched live-streaming platform globally, with a notable presence in MENA and LATAM regions.