Streaming to a Facebook Event with Switcher

Switcher's Facebook integration allows you to easily stream to your Timeline or a Page that you Admin. Although the direct integration doesn't include Events, you can still stream to a Facebook Event with Switcher via Custom RTMP.

Note: For more detailed information about what Custom RTMP is and why it's used, check out our Help Center article Streaming to Platforms without a Direct Integration.


There are four core steps to streaming to a Facebook Event using Custom RTMP:

  1. Creating The Event On Facebook

  2. Gathering The Custom RTMP Values From Facebook

  3. Setting Up The Stream In Switcher

  4. Going Live To The Event From The Switcher App

Creating the Event on Facebook

Before doing anything in Switcher, you must create the Event on Facebook. If you have already created the Event, make sure that the settings align with the instructions below:

  • Start on the Page that you're using to create the Event. Reminder: you must be an Admin of this Page!

  • Tap the plus icon in the top right. A dropdown menu will appear.

  • Click/tap the Event option from the dropdown menu.

  • Set the Event to Online. This is required to stream to a Facebook Event.

  • Give the Event a Name, Start Date, Description, and choose a Category.

  • Once you have completed these fields, click Next.

The next screen will prompt you to select a Location.

  • Select Facebook Live.

  • Click Next.

The next screen will allow you to add Additional Details, but none of them are required.

  • Click Create Event to complete the setup.

Gathering The Custom RTMP Values From Facebook

Once you have created the Event on Facebook, you'll need to gather two very important bits of data from the Event's Settings:

  • Stream Key

  • Stream URL

To find these numbers:

  • Go to the Event, and click on Set Up Live Video.

  • On the next screen, click/tap Use Stream Key.

  • After you have selected Use Stream Key, there will be a section called Live Stream Setup that shows the Server URL and Stream Key.

Keep this page open as you continue to the next section, where you'll set up the stream using Custom RTMP in the Dashboard.

Note: Facebook offers different options to its users regarding auto-start. Some users will see an option to have the stream automatically start. Other users are not presented with that option in Facebook. If your stream does not start automatically, you'll need to come back to this page to initiate the stream.

Setting Up The Stream In Switcher Studio

Once you've set up the Event on Facebook, you'll use the Server URL and the Stream Key to set up a Custom RTMP channel in the Switcher Dashboard.

  • Log into the Switcher Dashboard with the same email and password that you use for logging into the Switcher app.

  • Click Platforms from the menu on the left-hand side of your screen.

  • Click on the orange Set up RTMP button.


  • Enter a Channel Nickname. This nickname will appear in the Switcher app and make it easier for you to identify the correct Custom RTMP stream. Your audience will not see the nickname.

  • Go back to the Facebook Event page with the Stream Settings and click Copy next to the Server URL.

  • Toggle back to the Switcher Dashboard, and paste the value into the Server URL box.

  • Repeat the same process for the Stream Key.

  • Adjust any of the other settings, as needed.

  • Click Save.

You will receive a confirmation message that the channel has been saved. The channel will now appear under Custom RTMP in the Dashboard > Platforms page.

You can adjust the settings at any time before going live, by clicking Details from this page (Dashboard > Platforms).

Going Live To The Event From The Switcher App

Step 1: Select the Custom RTMP Channel

  • When you're ready to stream to your Facebook Event, open the Switcher app on your main switching device.

  • Go to the Outputs tab.

  • Tap the grey "Change" button beside the currently selected event.

  • Tap on the orange "New Event" button.

  • Tap on the orange "RTMP" icon.

  • You'll see a list of all of the Custom RTMP Channels you've created with Switcher. Tap on the one for your Facebook Event to select it. You'll see a teal checkmark appear beside the Channel.

  • Tap on "Done" in the top-right corner of the window.

  • Ensure the Event Details are correct, or edit them if you need to make changes.

  • Tap on the orange "Create Event" option.

Step 2: Start the Broadcast

When you are ready to go live, tap the big red button in the top-right corner of the app to start the stream.

VERY IMPORTANT: If you did not have the auto-start option or did not enable it when setting up the Event stream on Facebook, you'll need to go back to the Facebook Live Producer page and click Go Live. If you enabled auto-start, the video will stream will start on its own. Either way, we recommend double-checking that the video is live on Facebook.