Is Twitch fast-tracking Partner status for Kai Cenat’s Streamer University participants?

Khizar Mundia Published 09/07/2026

Kai Cenat’s Streamer University 2026 is set to be one of the biggest streaming events of the year, and it has already generated plenty of excitement and debate online. The latest discussion centers on reports that some participants may have had their Twitch Partner applications fast-tracked, sparking further speculation that the platform is backing the event.

Kai Cenat is one of the most recognizable content creators in the world and this was only emphasised by him surpassing 1 million concurrent live viewers upon his return to streaming following a nine-month hiatus. The creator returned to announce the participants for Streamer University 2026 and the event has produced plenty of buzz online. Twitch is set to receive a boost in sponsorship once it begins in earnest and reports suggest that several selected creators may have had their Partner applications fast-tracked.

Twitch may be expediting partner status for Streamer University

Kai Cenat has stated that one of the primary aims of the Streamer University is to help emerging creators gain an audience, learn about content creation, and grow their brand. Some viewers online have speculated that Twitch may be helping the participants out, as it has been noted that several Streamer University creators already display the Twitch Partner badge. This prompted widespread speculation that the platform may have expedited their Partner applications. Twitch, however, has not confirmed whether participants are receiving fast-tracked Partner consideration.

Image credit: Kai Cenat

It’s worth noting that most Streamer University 2026 participants who have the Partner badge already boast several thousand Twitch followers, suggesting they may have already met the program’s requirements. Meanwhile, most Streamer University participants with smaller followings have not received the same status.

This matches what many viewers complained about when Kai Cenat announced the selected students for Streamer University 2026. They claimed the Twitch star had selected established streamers rather than bringing in new talent. Some evidence viewers provided was that all AMP members were accepted. While this is a different debate, it highlights that some established streamers may have come into the limelight because of Streamer University 2026, but received their Partner status due to their previous online efforts.

Our analysis

Twitch was once at the forefront of the livestreaming scene, with creators joining because they wanted to grow. Many such creators have now become larger than Twitch, with Kai Cenat being a good example. The streamer started and grew on Twitch, and now has his own ecosystem. His brand has become so successful that he broke records after returning from months away from streaming. The creator’s Streamer University also boosts Twitch viewership substantially, with the event one of the most anticipated on the calendar.

Many creators establish large audiences on other platforms before streaming on Twitch, meaning Partner status isn’t always tied to building a following exclusively on the platform. Kick also recognises this, recently announcing a fast-track initiative that will give KPP status to creators who have substantial followings or engagement on another platform. Twitch may also be thinking in a similar way, and this may be why the Streamer University participants got their pPrtner status. However, at this time, it isn’t confirmed that all the streamers got the status after the Streamer University announcement.

The larger discussion right now may be about suggestions that Kai Cenat has selected his friends and other established creators rather than unknown streamers. This is a potentially big issue given that Cenat has explicitly said that he wants the University to be a springboard for smaller creators.

Regardless, the Streamer University is going to be the biggest edition of this event to date, and if any official Twitch Partner status link is confirmed then we will update this story.

Feature image credit: Streamer University

Khizar Mundia

About Khizar Mundia

Khizar Mundia has been playing video games for as long as he can recall. Things have come a long way since the many days he spent playing the original NES, though. He now covers a variety of competitive games and esports, as well as the world of streaming, ranging from Twitch to Kick. If it’s of interest to gamers, it’s of interest to Khizar.

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