Ibai Llanos Garatea, better known simply as Ibai, has transformed from a young League of Legends caster in Bilbao into one of the world’s most influential content creators and media entrepreneurs. Born March 26, 1995 in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain, his energetic style and boundless creativity have propelled him across platforms and industries.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Growing up in working‑class surroundings in Bilbao, Ibai found solace in video games during the late‑2000s economic crisis. At age 19, he began commentating on League of Legends matches for Spain’s Liga de Videojuegos Profesional (LVP). In 2016 he moved to Barcelona to further his broadcast career, and by 2019 he hosted the late‑night show “Hoy no se sale” on Ubeat.
Rise to Streaming Stardom
Ibai signed exclusively with G2 Esports in early 2020 as a content creator, marking his jump to full‑time streaming. In 2021 he left G2 to launch his own brand and co‑founded the esports organization KOI alongside Gerard Piqué in December of that year. He also ventured into creative formats like the interview series “Charlando tranquilamente,” featuring stars such as Ronaldinho, Sergio Agüero, Ed Sheeran, Bad Bunny and more.
Breakthrough Events and Records
Ibai’s event “La Velada del Año” quickly became a cultural phenomenon. In June 2022 his second edition set a Twitch concurrency record of over 3.3 million viewers. He continued breaking his own record, most notably in July 2025, when “La Velada del Año V” attracted over 9.18 million viewers, briefly making him the most followed streamer on Twitch.
His organizations expanded too. In 2022 KOI merged with Rogue, though that alliance dissolved in late 2023; in early 2024, OverActive Media acquired both KOI and Movistar Riders, forming MAD Lions KOI, with Ibai and Piqué holding up to a 21 percent stake and retaining a service agreement with the organization.
One ambitious creative project leading into 2024 included his recreation of Squid Game in Madrid in partnership with KFC and Netflix.
Platform Presence and Influence
As of April 2026, Ibai had around 19.8 million Twitch followers (the second most‑followed channel globally) and approximately 16 million YouTube subscribers with over 5.6 billion views. Forbes Spain named him Spain’s most influential social‑media influencer in 2021.
Business Ventures Beyond Streaming
Ibai’s entrepreneurial reach extends beyond KOI and streaming. He presides over Porcinos FC and Rōnin FC, clubs in Kings League Spain and regional Catalan football respectively. In recent years he’s emphasized the financial viability of the Kings League, calling it a profitable venture in 2026.
His production company behind “La Velada del Año” reached nearly €12 million in revenue in 2025, a dramatic jump compared to roughly €208,000 in 2024. Meanwhile, his personal fortune as of 2026 was estimated between €15 million and €20 million by sources like Celebrity Net Worth and others, while Ibai himself previously cited a 2023 personal wealth range of €5, 15 million. iFANN editorial analysis estimated €15 million for 2026, while Finent suggested up to $25 million in 2026.
Personal Life and Public Presence
Ibai currently lives in Barcelona, sharing a streaming house with friends and fellow creators. He maintains a close relationship with footballer Sergio Agüero, and was notably invited to Lionel Messi’s farewell dinner in August 2021.
FAQ
- How old is Ibai Llanos? He was born on March 26, 1995, making him 31 years old as of October 18, 2026.
- What is Ibai’s net worth? Exact figures are not publicly disclosed. Estimates from credible sources in 2026 range from €15 million (iFANN) to €20 million (Celebrity Net Worth), with other analytics platforms estimating up to $25 million. These are unverified estimates and may vary based on methodology and revenue assumptions.
- What is “La Velada del Año”? It is a live boxing event organized by Ibai that set Twitch viewership records, most famously over 3.3 million in 2022 and over 9.18 million in 2025.
- What is KOI? KOI is the esports organization co‑founded by Ibai and Gerard Piqué in December 2021. It merged briefly with Rogue and later became part of the MAD Lions KOI entity under OverActive Media.
- Does Ibai have involvement in sports beyond esports? Yes, he presides over football clubs Porcinos FC and Rōnin FC, and helped launch the innovative Kings League in Spain, which he describes as profitable.
Featured image: G2 Esports / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).
