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Schwab To Host Twitch ‘Catan’ Tournament, Blending Games With Finance

Published on September 8, 2025

Financial services company Charles Schwab has announced its sponsorship of the first annual “Twitch Plays Catan” tournament, scheduled for September 9-10, to engage the growing live streaming audience.

The two-day competition will feature eight popular content creators, including actor Khleo Thomas, streamer Lunity, and Indiana Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith. The tournament introduces an interactive twist, allowing viewers to provide real-time input on gameplay decisions, transforming passive viewers into active participants.

Michael Iachini, Head of Manager Research at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, will host the event. A board game enthusiast who has published his own “Catan” variant, Iachini will highlight strategic parallels between gameplay and investment principles.

Schwab’s entry into gaming content comes amid shifts in live streaming, according to Stream Hatchet. While Twitch maintains market leadership with a 54.2% share, it has experienced four consecutive quarterly declines. Meanwhile, YouTube Gaming achieved its highest-ever quarterly viewership with 2.2 billion hours watched in Q2 2025.

The financial services company appears to be capitalizing on the continued growth of non-gaming content, which increased 28% year-over-year to become the most-watched live streaming category with 1.59 billion hours watched.

Financial Education Through Gaming

Throughout the streams, viewers will encounter gameplay-inspired investment tips, interactive financial polls, and a live Schwab Resource Tracker monitoring players’ in-game inventories. The integration aims to connect game strategies with financial concepts like risk management, resource allocation, and long-term planning.

The tournament’s qualifying matches will stream on Tuesday, September 9, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT, with finals following on Wednesday, September 10, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT. Streamers will broadcast on their personal Twitch channels, with a main stream available on Twitch’s homepage.

“I think a lot of investors out there will be interested. And, of course, I think a ton of gamers will check out this event when it comes up,” Iachini said.