Twitch has put out new rules for TwitchCon 2026 in hopes of keeping both streamers and fans safe during the events in Europe and San Diego. TwitchCon is one of the biggest gatherings of Twitch streamers and viewers, complete with meet-and-greets and panels. As the convention continues to evolve, the streaming platform is adapting to ensure that everyone has a safe and fun time.
TwitchCon attendees can bump into all kinds of streamers walking around and documenting their experiences for their live viewers. While it’s often a memorable event, TwitchCon has also seen many unfortunate incidents involving its guests. Just last October, Twitch Emiru was assaulted during a meet-and-greet, when a fan came up and hugged her without her consent. Following the altercation, the Amazon-owned platform emphasized that it has zero tolerance for harassment of any kind, promising that it’s improving security protocols in its events moving forward.
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New TwitchCon Rules Explained
With TwitchCon Rotterdam 2026 coming up from May 30 to 31, Twitch reassured guests that it’s making “significant investments” to ensure a fun and safe environment for all. In a blog post, Twitch detailed a dedicated policy for IRL streaming and updated meet and greet rules. One of the most notable changes is that attendees will have the option to wear lanyards that show that they’re not comfortable being on camera. This means that IRL streamers won’t be allowed to interview or approach people wearing the designated lanyards, and if they violate this rule, they’ll either be temporarily suspended from streaming for the rest of TwitchCon or be restricted from attending in the future, depending on the severity. “No Recording / No Streaming” signs will also be installed in certain areas of the venue.
For meet and greets, TwitchCon is now prohibiting walk-ups and requiring reservations per person. According to Twitch, this will allow staff to manage capacity and create a more controlled environment to keep creators and fans alike safe and comfortable. It’s also looking to improve TwitchCon’s layout and flow of meet and greets in the future, which includes better separation between featured guests and the crowd. More security is expected to make sure that incidents, like Twitch streamers being confronted by stalkers, will be resolved immediately.
TwitchCon IRL Streaming Rules
- Streamers and attendees must keep pathways clear.
- Streaming isn’t allowed in areas with “No Recording / No Streaming” signage.
- Attendees should follow TwitchCon Staff instructions, including requests to stop streaming or relocate;
- Attendees can wear designated lanyards to signal that they prefer not to be featured or recorded. IRL streamers are not allowed to interview or approach anyone wearing the designated lanyard, or who verbally says they don’t want to be on camera.
TwitchCon Meet & Greet Rules
- Walk-ups are prohibited during meet and greet events.
- Attendees and plus ones are required to make reservations for meet and greets.
TwitchCon to Beef Up Security in 2026
In addition to new policies, Twitch also reiterated its promise to improve security measures to ensure that creators, fans, and staff members are safe during this year’s TwitchCons at Rotterdam and San Diego. This includes more trained staff who are ready to respond quickly and effectively if any issue arises. This comes months after Twitch apologized for its failure to protect Emiru, so it’s possible that this is the platform’s way of making sure that a similar oversight doesn’t happen again.
So far, TwitchCon’s updated rules have been met with mixed reactions, with most people being skeptical about the improved security. Some also pointed out that the rules might not be enough to protect streamers from possible harassment. The critiques could also stem from previous incidents where either a streamer or a fan were placed in danger, like the time a TwitchCon ball pit injured multiple people. If Twitch manages to keep its word to improve its upcoming events, then it could make a lasting impression on the streaming community.
