Streaming sports can be not only profitable but also a great way to grow your followers and increase viewership. That’s because billions of people love watching all kinds of sports — football, cricket, hockey, baseball, you name it. But is it illegal to stream live sports on Twitch?
You might be wondering about this, especially since Twitch is mainly known as a gaming-focused streaming platform. It’s also known for its strict rules, which can result in DMCA strikes or even a permanent ban. So, is streaming esports or free sports allowed on Twitch? The answer is yes, but it depends!
Is it illegal to Stream Live Sports on Twitch?
Violating Twitch’s copyright guidelines can result in a DMCA notice, which may start with temporary warnings or bans. If the violations continue, you could be permanently banned. So, is it illegal to stream live sports on Twitch? Generally, yes, because the broadcasting rights typically belong to TV channels and sports leagues.
But if you somehow manage to get those rights or authorizations from the leagues you want to stream the sports of, then you’re good to go. You won’t be banned. But if you don’t, you may get banned for using the copyrighted content of the sports channel that has the rights.
Why is it Illegal to Stream Sports on Twitch?
The reason why you’re not allowed to stream Sports on Twitch includes:
1. Copyright Infringement
All live sports broadcasts are owned by the TV channels or the leagues that have full rights to stream or publish them. If somebody else streams their content without permission, they could send a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act).
It’s a strike or a complaint that the sports owners can send to Twitch, which could lead to the removal of your video, suspension of your account, or other legal action against your Twitch channel.
2. Twitch’s Community Guidelines
The Twitch community guidelines also prohibit the streaming of content that infringes on intellectual property rights. This includes broadcasting sports on Twitch or any other live events, as they’re all copyrighted and owned by other parties.
3. Licensing Requirements
Twitch wants you to have specific licenses from the rights holders of the sports. You need to obtain those rights, and then you’ll be able to stream the sports on Twitch legally.
4. Enforcement Actions
Twitch is quite active and constantly monitors and removes copyrighted or unauthorised content. Therefore, if you stream any sports content without having the proper licenses and also meeting the requirements, you may be subjected to strict actions.
What If You Stream Sports On Twitch?
Streaming sports or anything that is illegal and you don’t have the right to do so could lead to the following consequences:
- Removal of the Content: If Twitch finds that your content is illegal or pirated, then they’ll remove your content immediately.
- Suspension: You may receive warnings initially about the consequences of using copyrighted content on Twitch. If you repeat the violations, then your account may be suspended permanently.
Is it still against the rules to stream free-to-watch TV or online content?
If something is free, it doesn’t mean that it’s allowed to be streamed on Twitch. Twitch follows clear guidelines, in which any content that belongs to somebody else is a violation of the guidelines. Therefore, even if the sport is free to watch on other channels, you still can’t stream it on Twitch.
What to do if You Get a DMCA on Your Twitch Channel?
If you receive a DMCA strike for streaming sports, don’t panic. Just appeal for a Twitch DMCA strike takedown.
- Read the DMCA notice carefully: If you get a DMCA notice in your email, you’ve registered your Twitch account with, go through the details of the DMCA and who sent it, and what type of content. This way, you’ll know who the sender is and what content of yours caused it.
- Check if you had permission or fair use rights: The next step is to check if you had the permission or the license to use the content. Because if your content was indeed falling under the Twitch DMCA guidelines, you won’t be able to take it down.
- Write a proper counter-notification: Add your contact info and also a clear statement that the Twitch DMCA strike was a mistake, and it should be removed from your channel. Also, agree that you’re willing to go to court if needed.
- Send the counter-notification to Twitch: Once you’ve written your appeal, email it to copyright@twitch.tv. Twitch will send it to the copyright sender and will take the takedown action accordingly.
- Wait for a reply from the copyright holder: It usually takes 10 business days to respond to requests with any legal action. For that reason, be patient and hope for the best.
FAQS
What is not allowed on a Twitch stream?
Twitch bans explicit content, hate speech, and illegal activities—keep it clean and respectful.
What games can you not stream on Twitch?
Most games are allowed, but some banned titles like Manhunt or pirated games can’t be streamed.
Do you need permission to stream games on Twitch?
You usually don’t need permission for most games, but check publisher guidelines—some require approval.
Why do Twitch streamers blur their chats on YouTube?
Streamers blur chats on YouTube to protect privacy and avoid harassment or unwanted attention.
Final Words
Is it illegal to stream live sports on Twitch? It depends on whether you have the rights, permissions, or licenses for the sports content you’re streaming. If you do, then it’s completely legal as it doesn’t violate the Twitch guidelines.
However, if you stream esports content on Twitch without any authorisation or permissions, then it’s against the guidelines, and your content may be removed, you may receive some warnings, and if you repeat the violations, your channel may get suspended permanently.
If you got a DMCA on Twitch but you think it’s unfair, then you can appeal for a Twitch DMCA takedown.