The world of content creation keeps evolving as time goes, but Twitch remains the go-to platform where League of Legends players showcase their skills and build communities.
Twitch allows gamers to forge connections with a global gaming audience while streaming, which resulted in hundreds of LoL gamers becoming international superstars.
To gain popularity on Twitch, you’d have to commit to streaming full-time as it requires dedication. However, this raises the question of how streamers make money on the platform and whether Twitch streaming is a sustainable career path.
Twitch Affiliate and Partner program
Affiliate program
Joining the Twitch Affiliate Program is a stepping stone for small LoL streamers who want to take their content creation to the next level.
This Program is catered to beginner streamers as it’s fairly easy to qualify with few requirements in place. It allows streamers to get some basic features such as Twitch subs, emotes, Bits, and ads.
More importantly, joining the Affiliate Program is the first step streamers have to take before applying for the coveted Partner Program.
Beyond Twitch’s own offerings, several external affiliate programs align well with LoL content creators. Notable among these are the Turbosmurfs program and the Amazon affiliate program. These external affiliations operate on a more conventional model, offering compensation based on sales generated through streamer-promoted links or codes.
Partner program
To become a Twitch Partner, streamers must have an established channel with consistent viewership and engagement while already being a part of the Affiliate program. This unlocks several perks that improve the quality of their brand and streaming service while unlocking more monetization options.
Improved ad revenue, stream quality options, custom emotes, and a Verified badge are just some of the features that make the Twitch Partner program a valuable milestone for streamers.
Twitch Subscriptions
The main source of income for League of Legends Twitch streamers on the platform is through Twitch subs which are a way for viewers to financially support their favorite content creators.
LoL streamers earn a share of the money the viewer pays for the monthly subscription, with Twitch Partners getting a larger percentage than Affiliates.
Twitch subs enable a variety of perks for viewers who end up subscribing, such as ad-free viewing, badges, sub-only chat, personalized emotes, and streamer-sub games.
These subscriptions come in different tiers, with each tier ranging in price and level of benefits for the viewer.
Streaks
Loyal subscribers who show their continuous support for the content creator have a streak displayed next to their subscription.
Some streamers celebrate these achievements with viewers when the subscribers reach a specific loyalty milestone.
Subathons
In recent times, subscription marathon streams have emerged as a great way to engage the audience and encourage people to subscribe.
Subathons are special events hosted by LoL streamers in which the stream’s duration is increased whenever someone subscribes.
These subathons are often paired up with special challenges or activities that are meant to further increase the engagement and entertainment value of the stream.
Gifted subs
Often referred to as gift subs, these subscriptions are a feature on Twitch that allows viewers to purchase subscriptions for other users.
Viewers can choose to purchase any number of gifted subs which are usually randomly distributed to other active viewers at the time.
Donations
Unlike Twitch subs which involve a recurring monthly payment, donations are one-time financial contributions that viewers make.
Another difference is that donations have no ceiling on the amount the viewer can donate, making them an unrestricted and flexible form of financial support.
When viewers donate, the transaction usually triggers some sort of an on-screen animation and sound effect, notifying the streamer and the viewers that someone subscribed.
Donations usually include personalized messages which are publicly displayed on the stream, allowing both viewers and the streamer to interact with the donor.
Streamers often set specific goals for the donations, indicating how the funds will be allocated once someone donates, usually involving upgrading equipment.
Ad revenue
Ad revenue is a form of passive income that LoL streamers can earn by showing advertisements on their channels.
When viewers watch these ads during a stream, a portion of the generated revenue goes back into the streamer’s pockets. Generally speaking, the effectiveness of ad revenue depends on several factors, including viewer engagement and the size of the channel.
The frequency of display of these ads as well as the potential income a streamer generates depends on their position in the Twitch Affiliate or Partner program.
Since ads are generally considered annoying for viewers, streamers often encourage the viewers to subscribe for an ad-free experience, generating revenue as a result.
Sponsorships
Twitch sponsorships are partnerships between LoL streamers and brands in which the streamer promotes the brand’s service or products on the channel in return for cash.
Long-term sponsorship deals provide a stable source of income for streamers which is why most popular LoL streamers work with several sponsors.
The brands that the streamers sponsor usually aim to be somewhat relatable to the audience watching, which increases the likelihood of successful product placement.
Affiliate marketing
In addition to getting flat fees from sponsorship companies, streamers often engage in affiliate marketing partnerships in which they promote their unique affiliate links and promo codes.
As a result, streamers earn a commission for every sale that is conducted through their personalized link or code.
Merchandise
In recent years, LoL content creators and streamers started distributing personalized merchandise as a way to generate more income as well as strengthen the community and brand image.
The merchandising strategy allows viewers to show their support for the streamer beyond the digital space. Another benefit is that merchandise is tangible unlike subscriptions and donations and it is something viewers can permanently keep.
These items are usually clothes and accessories that reflect the streamer’s brand and personality, including popular catchphrases, a memorable logo, or an emote.
Streamers usually promote their merchandise while they are streaming which is a great way to showcase their items to the people who are most likely to buy it.
Esports and tournaments
High elo League of Legends players who are very skilled at the game, apart from being successful streamers, often participate in professional esports.
Esports players can earn money in various ways, most notably through team salaries and tournament winnings.
There are ways for popular streamers to participate in tournaments apart from professional Esports, with Twitch Rivals being a prime example of such an event.
Elo boosting
Streamers who are among the top-rated players on the ranked ladder often partake in elo boosting as it’s a steady way of income when they’re not streaming.
If you’re unfamiliar with LoL boosting, it is a paid practice that refers to a high elo player logging into a buyer’s account and boosting its rank.
This practice has become increasingly prominent in the League of Legends community, allowing players to safely and swiftly boost their rank while enabling high elo players to work as elo boosters.
These players are much more skilled than the average player you encounter and they can carry games on their own which is why they swiftly and efficiently boost the ranks of accounts.
YouTube
Popular LoL streamers often extend the reach of their content by frequently posting clips on YouTube. This allows streamers to have several sources of income with YouTube revenue as well as following on different platforms.
Additionally, having an active YouTube channel extends the promotion network, allowing streamers to promote their Twitch platform on YouTube and vice versa.
Streamers usually post highlight reels of their Twitch streams which include some memorable moments, funny montages, or skillful outplays.
Furthermore, streamers may create unique YouTube content tailored for their audience such as guides, commentary, or even YouTube shorts.
Coaching
High elo players who are very skilful and knowledgable about League of Legends offer coaching to their viewers which includes personalized tips and real-time feedback.
These services are offered in a one-on-one or a group coaching session format in which the players pay to attend.
VOD reviews are a very popular method of coaching in which the coach reviews the student’s game and points out key areas of improvement.
Streamers can use their Twitch platform to promote their coaching services, with some popular streamers streaming a coaching session to the audience, creating engaging and educational content.
Public events
LoL streamers who are household names on the platform can leverage their popularity to make paid appearances at public events.
The organizers of public events pay streamers for their presence at the events as their appearance boosts the appeal of the event and attracts a wider audience.
At these events, content creators engage in panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and autograph signings, which increases the entertainment value of the event.
On top of that, some events allow streamers to create live stream sessions that they broadcast live from the event.