Discord Stage Channels: How to Host Talks, AMAs and Live Events

A normal voice channel works for five friends. It falls apart with 500 people and everyone's mic open. Discord Stage channels solve that: a few people speak, everyone else listens, and moderators decide who gets the mic.

Discord says communities use Stages for "AMAs, Fireside Chats, Townhalls, Reading Groups, and more." This guide covers how to create one, run it smoothly and use video and screen share.

At a glance - Requirement: Community server - Roles: Stage moderators, speakers and audience - Audio audience: up to 10,000 - Video audience: 50 free, 150 at boost Level 2, 300 at Level 3, more with extra boosts - Video limits: 1 screen share and up to 5 cameras at a time - Joining and leaving: silent, with no join sounds

🎤 How Discord Stage Channels Work

Everyone in a Stage has one of three roles:

Speakers show at the top, the audience below. There are no join or leave sounds, so people can drop in and out quietly.

🛠️ How to Create a Stage Channel

You need a Community server and the Manage Channels permission.

1. Select + in your channel list.
2. Choose Stage Channel as the type.
3. Select Next, then add the roles or members who should be Stage moderators.

Stage moderators need Manage Channels, Mute Members and Move Members on that channel. You can change them later under Edit Channel > Channel Permissions.

▶️ How to Start a Stage

Select your Stage channel and choose:

• Start the Stage: enter a topic and open it. The Stage is highlighted at the top of your channel list.
• Create Event: schedule it for later.
• Continue without starting: open the Stage quietly for sound checks before going live.

Start now, schedule an event, or set up quietly first. Image: Discord.

While people wait, Discord plays music for them, which they can mute with the music note button.

Planning a bigger event? Our Discord events guide covers scheduling and promotion.

🙋 Managing Speakers and the Audience

As a Stage moderator you can:

• Invite to Speak: right-click an audience member. They must accept.
• Move to Audience: right-click a speaker.
• Disconnect from Stage: right-click a member to remove them.
• Show Requests: see raised hands and accept or dismiss them.
• Turn off requests: switch off "Allow requests to speak."

Handling raised hands. Image: Discord.

On mobile, tap someone's profile to get the same options. The Stage ends when the last moderator leaves, but the channel stays for next time.

📹 Video and Screen Share on Stage

Speakers with the Video permission can turn on their camera or Go Live.

Important: if your Stage already has more than 50 listeners before video starts (without boosts), speakers can't start video. Discord suggests starting with at least one camera on if you plan to use video.

Our Discord Server Boost guide explains how boost levels work.

👂 For the Audience

• Join: select the Stage. You join muted.
• Request to speak: select the raised hand button.
• Text chat: Stages have text chat built in.
• Leave: select Exit Quietly. Nobody hears you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Discord Stage channel?

A voice channel for events where a few people speak and the rest listen, with moderators managing who can talk.

How many people can join a Stage?

Up to 10,000. With video or screen share, it's 50 by default and rises with Server Boosts.

Why can't I create a Stage channel?

Stages only work in Community servers, and you need the Manage Channels permission.

Can I use video in a Stage?

Yes. Up to 5 cameras and 1 screen share at a time, for speakers with the Video permission.

How do I end a Stage?

It ends when the last Stage moderator leaves. The channel stays for future events.

🎮 The Bottom Line

Discord Stage channels turn a chaotic voice call into a proper event. Pick your moderators, set a topic, invite speakers up and let the audience listen in comfort.

What would you host on a Stage: an AMA, a quiz night or a community town hall?

Sources

1. Discord Help Center: Stage Channels FAQ, updated 24 October 2026