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What is esports? How to get into competitive gaming

Esports has exploded from a niche hobby to a multi-billion-pound industry. What started out as friends playing Counter-Strike in internet cafés has grown into packed-out arenas, massive prize pools, and real career opportunities — both on and off the screen. But what exactly is esports? How do you get involved? And can you really make a living from it?

In this guide, we’ll take you through all things esports, including how it works, how much money you can make, and what you need to get started. Whether you’re a casual gamer with pro dreams or just curious about where a love of gaming could take you, we’ll cover: 

What is esports?

Let’s start with the basics: what does esports mean? The term “esports” stands for electronic sports, and it tends to mean competitive video gaming in any form — not just sports titles like FIFA (now EA Sports FC), the F1® Series, and NBA 2K, though many tournaments do include these. Players go head-to-head to win prizes or cash, either individually or as part of a team.

What are esports games? They’re games with a competitive format, usually multiplayer, where players battle it out in tournaments or ranked ladders. Popular competitions such as The Esports World Cup 2025 include games like League of Legends, Valorant, CS2, Fortnite, FIFA, and Overwatch 2, and they’re watched by millions worldwide. Esports can be played professionally, semi-professionally, or even at grassroots levels.

So, is esports a sport? That’s still a hot topic. While it’s not physical like football or rugby, esports demands fast reflexes, intense training, strategic thinking, and team coordination — all the hallmarks of traditional sports. Some countries, like South Korea and China, already recognise esports as a sport officially.

And yes, an Esports Olympics concept is being tested by the International Olympic Committee. While not yet part of the main Olympic Games, this event could mean more recognition from other traditional sports governing bodies if it’s a success.

How big is esports?

Esports is massive. The global esports industry is expected to surpass £1.5 billion in value by 2025 (Statista). Events like The International, League of Legends World Championship, and the new Esports World Cup are drawing in tens of millions of viewers, with huge prize pools. Specifically, over 500 million people watched Esports World Cup events in 2024 globally, and The International 2021 had a prize pool of over £30 million.

Overall, it’s organisations in the US, South Korea, and China that are leading the charge. These countries take esports to the next level, offering more lucrative competitions and more established infrastructure. But the UK is catching up fast:

  • South Korea: The spiritual home of esports. Pro gamers are national celebrities. Infrastructure, sponsorship, and salaries are top-tier.
  • China: Huge market, massive events, and big money — though government regulation is tight.
  • USA: Home to massive franchises like the Overwatch League and CDL (Call of Duty League), with major investments from traditional sports teams.
  • UK & EU: Growing rapidly, especially in games like Valorant, Rocket League, CS2, and League of Legends. The scene is smaller but full of opportunity.

How to get into esports

Wondering how to get into esports? There are more routes into it than ever before, including playing competitively, joining an esports team, starting your own team, and even studying esports at college or university. 

  1. Play competitively. Start playing ranked matches, climb the ladder, and enter online tournaments. Sites like FACEIT (previously ESL Play) and Battlefy are great for finding amateur competitions.
  2. Join a team. If you’re serious about team esports, join an esports team for training and networking opportunities. Start small — many amateur or collegiate teams are scouting for dedicated players on platforms like Discord, Reddit, and Twitter.
  3. Start your own team. Ambitious? Start your own esports team by gathering players, entering local tournaments, and building a brand. Schools and universities are increasingly supportive of esports, and many will even let you start an esports team while you study there.
  4. Study esports at college or University.  In the UK and abroad, esports in higher education is growing fast, including courses that cover gameplay, team management, production, and marketing. In most programmes, you’ll have opportunities to train like an athlete, study the business side of esports, and build up a network. 

UK unis like Staffordshire University and the University of Chichester now offer esports degrees. With an esports degree, you could go on to a career in coaching, content creation, event management, or working for pro teams or sponsors.

What you need to get started in esports

You don’t necessarily need an expensive rig to go pro, but having a powerful gaming PC will make a big difference. When putting together your gaming setup, specs to look out for include:

You’ll also want a solid internet connection (low latency is key), a streaming setup if you plan to build an audience, and platforms like Discord or OBS for team comms and content.

What games are played in esports?

If you’re wondering what games you’ll need to play for a lucrative career in esports, here’s a breakdown by genre with examples:

  • MOBAs: League of Legends, Dota 2
  • FPS: Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Valorant, Call of Duty, Overwatch 2
  • Battle Royale: Fortnite, PUBG, Apex Legends
  • Sports: FIFA / EA Sports FC, NBA 2K, F1 Esports 
  • Fighting: Street Fighter 6, Super Smash Bros, Tekken 8
  • Racing & Sim: iRacing, Gran Turismo

So, what are the most popular esports games? The answer depends on the region — but LoL, CS2, and Fortnite tend to top the global charts. If you already play any of these games and regularly win, there’s a chance you could pursue a career in esports. 

How much do esports players make?

Let’s get real: how much do esports players make? The top earners are raking in millions according to Esports Earnings, but the average salary varies by region, game, and level.

Top esports earnings

  • Johan “N0tail” Sundstein (Dota 2): over £6.8 million
  • Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf (Fortnite): over £2.4 million
  • Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) (LoL): estimated net worth £5+ million, plus salary and sponsorships

Realistic earnings

  • UK semi-pro players: £300–£1,000/month
  • Entry-level pros: £12,000–£25,000/year
  • Top-tier EU players: £40,000–£100,000+/year

If you’re looking to supplement your earnings with extra income, streaming or coaching side-hustles can add thousands per month. And don’t forget sponsorships, Twitch subs, YouTube ad revenue, and of course, tournament winnings. If you build a personal brand, the sky’s the limit.

Is esports a good career?

Is esports futureproof? Not entirely. Like traditional sports, few make it to the top and no competition is without risk. But the industry is maturing and there are plenty of jobs beyond being a player, including:

  • Coach or analyst
  • Team manager
  • Shoutcaster or presenter
  • Video editor or content creator
  • Social media or marketing
  • Event producer
  • Game developer
  • Community manager

As with any industry in the events space, there are also jobs in esports within areas like hospitality, filming and broadcasting, set design, costuming, and many more. There’s a whole ecosystem to explore beyond being a player.

Transferable skills

There are also transferable skills you can learn from competitive gaming that can apply to real-world and professional experiences, including:

  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Strategic thinking
  • Data analysis
  • Content creation
  • Digital literacy
  • Event planning
  • Marketing & branding

Employers in tech, media, and beyond are starting to recognise the value of gaming experience, especially in roles related to project management, video production, community growth, and performance psychology. So, even if you don’t eventually go pro, your esports experience can still lead to a great career.

Is esports accessible and inclusive?

Due to the nature of gaming, the esports scene is generally inclusive with opportunities for all ages, races, genders, and disabilities. While the scene has traditionally skewed male, progress is being made to welcome more diverse talent. And the momentum is growing

In recent years, organisations like Galaxy Racer, GIRLGAMER Esports Festival, and Women in Games have been set up to try and level the playing field. The rise of university leagues, mixed-gender teams, and community-driven tournaments is also helping esports become more accessible.

Top creators like Pokimane and Amouranth have shown that building a strong brand can lead to substantial earnings, sometimes even outpacing traditional esports pros. These success stories highlight the growing potential for anyone — regardless of gender — who wants to carve out a career in gaming.

In short: esports is becoming more accessible every day. Whether you’re aiming to compete, stream, or create content, the space is full of opportunity, especially for those willing to innovate and engage their community. 

Whether you want to become an esports player, are looking for another kind of job in esports, or just want to know how big the esports scene really is, the answer is the same: esports is a growing, thriving industry, and there’s a place for you in it. 

The world of esports is competitive, but it’s full of opportunities. If you love gaming and are willing to put in the time, learn the skills, and maybe even build a personal brand, you’ve already got a head start. Give yourself the best chance with a custom gaming PC, keep an eye out for grassroots tournaments, and join online communities where players, teams, and opportunities come together. If you’d like more tips and advice for getting the most out of your gaming hobby, be sure to check out the rest of our blog.