Ibai Llanos

Ibai Llanos Garatea, born March 26, 1995 in Bilbao, is a Spanish internet celebrity, Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and esports commentator. Known mononymously as Ibai, he co-founded the esports organization KOI and serves as founder and president of Porcinos FC and Rōnin FC, teams in the Kings League Spain and Cuarta Catalana. His Twitch channel is the second most-followed on the platform, per Social Blade. In 2021, he launched La Velada del Año, a live boxing event that has become the most-watched broadcast on Twitch each year since its second edition. On YouTube, his main channel has over 16 million subscribers and more than five billion views. Forbes Spain named him the most influential social media influencer in Spain in 2021. Ibai was a content creator for G2 Esports from 2020 to 2021.[edit]

Ibai grew up in the Santutxu neighborhood of Bilbao, in a working-class household with a Basque father and a mother from Extremadura. He attended local schools and enrolled at the University of the Basque Country, but left before completing a degree to pursue his passion for video games and esports. His first step into the public eye came in 2014, when he began commentating on League of Legends matches for the Spanish league LVP. His energetic, humorous style quickly set him apart from other casters. Before streaming became his full-time gig, he worked as a waiter. He also studied to become a physical education teacher, but the esports bug had already bitten him.[edit]

Ibai's breakthrough came in 2018 when he joined the official Spanish broadcast team for the League of Legends World Championship, gaining international visibility. In 2020, he signed as a content creator for G2 Esports, where his daily streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic exploded his audience. He left G2 in 2021 to go independent and co-founded KOI, an esports organization, alongside Gerard Piqué. That same year, he launched La Velada del Año, a live boxing event featuring streamers. The second edition in 2022 drew 3.3 million concurrent viewers, the highest ever on Twitch at the time. The third edition in 2023 broke that record with 3.4 million. In 2022, he also founded Porcinos FC for the Kings League. By 2025, his YouTube channel surpassed 16 million subscribers and five billion views. As of 2026, he continues to stream, manage KOI, and plan future editions of La Velada del Año.[edit]

Ibai is known for his high-energy, humorous, and self-deprecating personality. He typically wears casual streetwear, often his own merchandise or KOI branding. His content mixes gaming, reaction videos, IRL streams, and talk-show formats. Spanish media portrays him as a pioneering entrepreneur who bridged esports and mainstream entertainment. His fans, often called Ibainianos, are fiercely loyal and active in creating memes and fan art. On social media, he is direct and sarcastic, frequently engaging with fans and other creators. His streams are characterized by quick wit and constant interaction with chat.[edit]

Ibai Llanos commands a vast digital audience that transcends the typical boundaries of streaming culture, mobilizing millions for large-scale charitable and entertainment initiatives rather than traditional fan campaigns. His followers, known collectively as Ibainianos in Spanish media, demonstrate their loyalty through massive participation in events like La Velada del Año, where they drive viewership numbers that rival major sporting broadcasts. This community has proven its capacity to disrupt legacy institutions, most notably during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final when Ibai's stream generated unprecedented traffic that challenged conventional television networks. The mythology surrounding his career is further cemented by viral incidents such as the casco de Roro controversy, which sparked public defenses from peers like AuronPlay, highlighting the tight-knit nature of the Spanish-speaking creator ecosystem. While recent announcements regarding the Mundial de Comidas have generated immediate international discourse, the core of his influence remains rooted in these high-volume digital gatherings. Despite this significant cultural footprint, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). Consequently, no specific ordinal rank or score is assigned at this time.[edit]

His nickname Ibai derives from the Basque language, meaning river bank, reflecting his deep roots in Bilbao where he is a lifelong Athletic Club supporter. Before achieving global fame, he worked as a waiter, a detail often cited alongside his rapid ascent as one of the first Spanish streamers to reach one million Twitch followers. The concept for La Velada del Año began as a joke on stream about seeing fellow creators fight, evolving into the most-watched broadcast on Twitch annually since its second edition. He frequently collaborates with global icons like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, and his streams occasionally feature him preparing traditional Basque dishes. A legendary story from his career involves his coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, where his platform experienced an unprecedented surge of traffic that caused technical issues for other services, marking a moment widely retold as the internet taking over mainstream sports viewing. Another iconic chapter in his lore is the sixth iteration of La Velada del Año in July 2026, which featured a headline match between The Grefg and IlloJuan alongside a performance by Juanes, turning the event into a cultural milestone. Fans also recall the casco de Roro incident, where the community rallied behind Ibai after criticism arose, solidifying his standing within the creator circle.[edit]

Ibai has kept his family life largely private. He has mentioned having a sister in streams but has not shared her name. His parents are Basque and Extremaduran. He grew up in a working-class home in Bilbao. As of 2026, he lives in Barcelona and owns property in Bilbao. He has no children and is not married. He has not publicly discussed any pets.[edit]

Ibai is closely associated with Gerard Piqué, with whom he co-founded KOI and the Kings League. Fellow Spanish streamer TheGrefg is also a co-owner of KOI and frequent collaborator. He has collaborated with international figures like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. His former employer G2 Esports remains a part of his network. He regularly streams with other Spanish creators such as AuronPlay and Rubius.[edit]

Ibai Llanos has been notably private about his romantic life. No credible sources confirm any relationships before his rise to fame. During his peak growth period from 2020 to 2022, rumors linked him to several female streamers and influencers, but he never confirmed any. In 2023-2024, speculation about a relationship with a Spanish influencer circulated, but Ibai neither confirmed nor denied it, stating he prefers to keep his private life separate. As of 2026, Ibai is reportedly single and has said in interviews that dating is difficult given his public profile. He has no known children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Ibai Llanos' net worth stands at $15 Million as of 2026. His financial portfolio reflects a diverse array of income streams derived from his status as a leading internet celebrity. Revenue from Twitch subscriptions, bits, and advertisements contributes an estimated $2-4 million annually to his earnings. YouTube ad revenue generated from over five billion total views adds another $1-2 million per year. His esports organization KOI, co-founded with Gerard Piqué, attracts substantial sponsorships from major brands including Finetwork and KFC. La Velada del Año generates significant capital through ticket sales, pay-per-view purchases, and corporate sponsorships. Additional income sources include his merchandise line, ownership stakes in Kings League teams Porcinos FC and Rōnin FC, and endorsements with companies such as Prime. He also holds real estate assets located in both Barcelona and Bilbao.[edit]

Ibai has won multiple awards within the Spanish creator and esports scene. Forbes Spain named him the most influential social media influencer in Spain in 2021. He has won several Premios ESLAND categories, including Best Streamer and Best Event for La Velada del Año. His Kings League team Porcinos FC has won multiple tournaments.[edit]