Kick in Focus: Streaming Wars, Combat Sports, and Digital Expansion
PARIS, 10 February 2026 – The term ‘Kick’ dominates the French and international digital landscape this week, spanning from the aggressive market expansion of the Australian-founded streaming platform to high-stakes kick-boxing championships in Eure-et-Loir and new gaming frontiers for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Streaming: Kick Challenges the Twitch Hegemony
As of February 2026, Kick continues its trajectory as the primary challenger to Amazon-owned Twitch. Founded in 2022 by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani—the entrepreneurs behind the Easygo and Stake empires—the platform has maintained its “creator-first” reputation. By offering a 95-5 revenue split and more permissive content guidelines regarding gambling, Kick has successfully lured top-tier talent including xQc and Amouranth through multi-million euro contracts.
Recent data suggests that while Twitch remains the larger entity by total hours watched, Kick has capitalised on creator dissatisfaction. In France, the platform is increasingly used for “IRL” (In Real Life) broadcasts and gaming marathons, though it remains under scrutiny for its ties to online casino operations.
Combat Sports: International Gala in Chartres
In the world of physical sports, the French kick-boxing scene is preparing for a major international event. On Thursday, 12 February 2026, the Colisée de Chartres will host a “France vs Italy” gala. The evening is headlined by Cyril Benzaquen, the 36-year-old seven-time world champion, who remains ambitious as he returns to the ring. He will be joined by fellow veteran Karim Ghajji in a card that highlights the enduring popularity of full-contact disciplines in the region.
Further north, the Brittany regional championships recently concluded in Pipriac, where the Tigre et Dragon association crowned three new champions, signalling a robust pipeline of talent for the French national circuit.
Gaming: eFootball ‘Kick-Off!’ Announced for Switch 2
Konami has officially confirmed that its flagship football simulation, eFootball, will receive a dedicated “Kick-Off!” edition for the Nintendo Switch 2. Scheduled for release in the summer of 2026, this version aims to utilise the enhanced technical capabilities of the new hardware. While specific details remain sparse, the announcement confirms a strategic shift to provide a more robust portable experience compared to previous iterations on older mobile and console hardware.
Key Entities and Figures: February 2026
| Entity | Status / Role |
|---|---|
| Ed Craven | Co-founder of Kick and Stake; Australian Billionaire. |
| Cyril Benzaquen | Septuple World Kick-boxing Champion; fighting 12 February. |
| xQc | Lead Streamer; signed to a reported €100m deal. |
| Nicolas Ponchel | Former Kick-boxing champion; 2026 Municipal Candidate for Sannois. |
| eFootball Kick-Off! | New title confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 (Summer 2026). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Kick and Twitch?
Kick offers a significantly higher revenue share for creators (95% compared to Twitch’s standard 50% or 70%) and has more relaxed rules regarding gambling content, as the platform is backed by the founders of an online casino.
When is the next major kick-boxing event in France?
The next high-profile event is the international gala at the Colisée de Chartres on 12 February 2026, featuring world champions Cyril Benzaquen and Karim Ghajji.
Is eFootball Kick-Off! a new game?
It is a specialised edition of Konami’s eFootball platform specifically optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2, expected to launch in the summer of 2026.