---
title: "Chat Compact Overview"
canonical_url: "https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/overview"
markdown_url: "https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/overview.md"
last_updated: "2026-08-10T09:41:36Z"
---

# Chat Compact Overview

**Chat Compact** is a standalone Virtual Stadium (VS) chat widget for embedding real-time community chat in a small footprint. It uses the same VS channels and authentication as the full [Virtual Stadium](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/virtual-stadium.md) web widget. Use compact layouts for tickers and sidebars, or full layout for a message list and composer.

See [API reference and examples](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/api.md) for properties, authentication, and integration code.

## Key Capabilities

### Compact layouts

Single-row ticker with channel header, or headerless three-row stack for dense sidebars.

### Full layout

Message list, composer, reactions, and channel controls when users need more than a strip.

### Virtual Stadium data

Messages and channels use Virtual Stadium APIs; authenticate with JWT or read-only API key.

### Standalone integration

No extra setup beyond authentication and a channel.

### Parent fill height

Full layout and in-session expanded compact chat stretch to fill the parent container.

### Theming

Global surfaces via client theme; chat accent colors via `srct-cc-*` hooks. See [Theming](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/theming.md).

## Placement Options

### Page footer or ticker

Default compact single-row layout for always-visible chat highlights.

### Sidebar column

Three-row compact variant or full layout in a fixed-height column.

### In-page module

Full layout embedded in a dedicated chat section on event or lobby pages.

### Mobile shells

Compact strip with expand gesture; use the `onAction` callback to coordinate parent UI. See [API reference](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/api.md#the-onaction-callback).

## Requirements

- Access to the Sportradar widgets client API and Virtual Stadium chat endpoints (configured on your client account)
- A Virtual Stadium **channel** (`channelId`) created in the moderation tooling
- **Authentication:** either a user **JWT** or an **API key** for read-only mode. See [API reference](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/api.md#authentication).
- Widget name for `SIR('addWidget', …)`: `chatCompact`

**Environment Requirements**

## Technical Requirements:

- JavaScript enabled
- XMLHttpRequest support for data fetching
- CSS3 support for styling and animations

**Sport and match identifiers**

Chat Compact is not tied to a sport or match identifier—it is bound to a Virtual Stadium **channel**. Channel content depends on how the channel is configured in the moderation tool (for example match-linked or global community channels).

## Main Configurable Features

Illustrations of main layout variants below.

<!-- TODO: ask — link demo URL when available -->

**Compact (single-row)**

Default compact strip with channel header and a single visible message row. Users can expand into full chat when interaction is enabled.

![Compact single-row layout](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/static/img/chat-compact/compact-single-row.png)

See [examples](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/api.md#examples).

**Compact (three-row)**

Headerless compact stack showing up to three message rows—suited to narrow sidebars.

![Compact three-row layout](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/static/img/chat-compact/compact-three-row.png)

See [examples](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/api.md#examples).

**Full (fill height)**

Full message list and composer, stretched to the parent container height.

![Full layout with fill height](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/static/img/chat-compact/full-fill.png)

See [examples](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/api.md#examples).

## Tips

- `variant: 'three-row'` omits the top channel header bar; channel controls appear on the actions rail.
- Customize appearance with [Theming](https://apidocs.sportradar.com/resources/widgets/docs/chat-compact/theming.md).