Threads Rolls Out Live Chats to Capture Real-Time Sports Fans

Meta’s Threads has officially launched its Live Chats feature, beginning with the NBA Playoffs. The new tool lets selected creators and fans participate in live broadcast-style discussions tied to real-time events. Unlike traditional open comment sections, Live Chats are designed to prioritize quality conversation over chaotic, spam-filled threads.

Any user can join a Live Chat, but the ability to send messages, photos, videos, or links is limited to a chosen group. If a chat reaches capacity, users can still watch the discussion unfold, react to messages, and vote in polls — making it more of a curated broadcast than a free-for-all conversation.

How Live Chats Work

Chat creators have full control over participation. Open discussions allow up to 150 active contributors, while invite-only chats let anyone view the conversation but restrict posting to handpicked participants. Threads will notify users about relevant Live Chats based on their interests, and active chats will appear in their inbox marked with a “Live” badge. Sports chats will also display live scores in real time.

Taking Aim at X’s Live Event Dominance

The launch is a clear play to challenge X, formerly Twitter, which still dominates live sports discussion online. Sports remains X’s most-discussed topic category by a significant margin. However, X’s hashtag-based live chats have long struggled with spam, cluttering conversations during major events. Threads is betting that tighter creator controls will deliver a cleaner, more engaging experience.

Initially, Live Chats are available to Community Champions — creators who are actively engaged and known for sparking conversations. The feature is expected to expand over time.