Esports isn’t only for adults. Kids can compete too, if they’re eligible. But being good enough to compete is not the only requirement. The player must also meet the esports age limit.

So, how old do kids need to be to play esports?

To play in esports, the age requirement varies depending on the game. For many popular esports games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Smite, kids need to be at least 13 years old. However, for more competitive or mature-themed games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Overwatch 2, and Call of Duty: Black Ops III/Warzone, the minimum age is 18.

Some games, like League of Legends and Dota 2, set the bar at 16 or 17. It’s important to note that for several games, younger players may participate with parental consent.

Read on for more details, or skip ahead with the table of contents to find specific details.

General Esports Age Requirements

There is no universal age restriction for esports games. Each tournament organizer creates their own set of rules based on the following:

1. Gameplay Content:

This looks at the game’s content. If a game includes mature themes like violence or strong language, organizers might set a higher age limit.

This is to ensure the game is suitable for the player’s age and aligns with standard age ratings.

2. Competitive Difficulty:

This is about how challenging the game is. Games that require advanced skills, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking might have higher age limits.

Some tournaments, like League of Legends, require teams to play several games in a day. Age restrictions ensure that players are capable of handling the game’s competitive nature.

3. Game and Event Themes:

This considers the overall theme of the game and the event’s atmosphere. If the game or event deals with intense or mature themes, a higher age limit might be set.

Esports Age Limits Restriction for Top Gaming Tournaments

We already established that each game has it’s own set of age restrictions for its esports tournaments and leagues.

Some of these requirements are simple, while others involve a lot of conditions and workarounds.

Check out the table below for a quick overview of these games and their esports age limits:

Esports Game	Minimum Age Requirement	Younger Kids Allowed with Consent Form
League of Legends	17 (LCS) / 16 (LACS)	No
Dota 2	16	No
Fortnite	13	Yes
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds	18	No
Rocket League	15	Yes
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive	None (Open Access)	N/A
Apex Legends	16 (Most regions) / 17 (Japan) / 18 (South Korea)	Yes
Valorant	18 (Active Roster) / 17 (Reserve Roster)	Yes
Overwatch 2	18	Yes
Arena of Valor	13	No
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang	Under 18 with parental consent	Yes
Call of Duty: Black Ops III/Warzone	18	No
World of Warcraft	Age of majority / 13 with parental consent	Yes
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege	18 / 16 with parental consent	Yes
Guilty Gear	18	No
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	18	Yes
Tekken 7	Legal age in jurisdiction / with parental consent	Yes
Street Fighter 6	13 / Age of local rating	Yes
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty	16	No
Smite	13	Yes
Mortal Kombat 1	17 (USA/Canada) / 18 (Other regions)	Yes

League of Legends

According to LoL’s LCS (League Championship Series) rules, players must be at least 17 years old to participate in any LCS-affiliated match.

In contrast, for the LACS (League Amateur Championship Series), the age requirement is slightly lower. Players need to be at least 16 years old to participate in any LACS-affiliated match.

Dota 2

According to Dota 2’s WE Championship official rulebook, players need to be 16 years of age or older to play. If a country’s laws say something different, the age limit can be changed to match those laws.

Fortnite

Fortnite’s competitive event rules are created by Epic Games. They state that players must be at least 13 years old.

However, if the laws in your country require a higher age, that age limit will apply. Also, if you are between 13 and 17 years old, you need to have permission from your parent or legal guardian to participate. 

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

For (PUBG) esports competitions, starting in 2019, the rules changed: any player under 18 years of age is not allowed to play in pro-level tournaments. This rule applies to all global PUBG esports events.

Rocket League

In competitive Rocket League events, players need to be at least 15 years old. If a country’s laws require a higher age, that age will apply.

Players aged 15 to 17 must also have permission from a parent or legal guardian. 

Additionally, Rocket League has set guidelines for community tournaments.For these, all players must be at least 13 years old, again adjusting to the higher age if required by the player’s country of residence.

These rules help manage participation in both official and community events, ensuring compliance with legal age requirements. ​

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

In the case of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), while the ESRB rating suggests a minimum age of 17 and PEGI rates it as suitable for those 18 and older, Valve, the game’s developer, does not explicitly enforce these age restrictions on their Steam platform.

This means that, in practice, players of any age can access and play CS:GO, especially since the game has become free to play. This accessibility has contributed to its widespread popularity and diverse player base.

Apex Legends

Players in Apex Legends esports tournaments must meet certain age requirements to be considered eligible.

The minimum age varies by region: players from South Korea must be at least 18 years old, players from Japan need to be at least 17, and players from all other regions must be at least 16 years old at the time of registration.

If a player is under the age of majority in their territory, they need consent from a parent or legal guardian who must also accompany them to any in-person live events.

Valorant

Now for the Valorant age requirement. According to Valorant’s official esports tournament rules, there are two sets of age restrictions for players.

To be eligible for the Active Roster of a team, a player must be at least 18 years old. For the Reserve Roster, the minimum age is 17.

Players under 18 can only be added to a Team’s Reserve Roster if a parent or legal guardian agrees to all the league’s rules and policies on their behalf and provides a parental consent form.

Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2’s league laws say players need to be at least 18 years old by the start of the season.

If a player signs the Player Agreement before turning 18, a legal guardian must sign on their behalf. The player must then reaffirm this agreement after turning 18.

Minors are required to complete and execute a Minor Addendum to their Overwatch League agreement.

Players are only permitted to compete in regular season matches if they are 18 or older on or before the match date and have reaffirmed the Player Agreement and Official Rules.

The League Office may modify these rules for international players competing in the U.S. or in international events.

Arena of Valor

In Arena of Valor’s official esports tournaments, players need to be at least 13 years old when the tournament starts. This age requirement ensures that participants are of an appropriate age for competitive play.

Under extreme circumstances, tournament administrators have the right to make changes to the rules, which could include adjustments to age restrictions if necessary.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s tournaments require players under 18 years old to get consent from their parents to participate.

This requirement is verified through a parental consent form, which can be found at the provided link. Teams that qualify for the regular season will have their waivers checked to ensure compliance with this rule.

This policy helps to ensure that younger players have parental approval for their involvement in competitive gaming events.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III/Warzone

Both Call of Duty variations (Black Ops III and Warzone) esports rules say players must be over the age of 18 to participate in any Challengers Online or Challengers LAN competition in the region.

This age requirement ensures that all competitors are legally adults, which is important for the competitive integrity and legal compliance of the tournament.

World of Warcraft

In past World of Warcraft’s official esports tournaments, participants needed to meet specific age requirements based on their country’s laws. As of January 13, 2021, players must have reached the age of majority in their country of residence to participate.

However, players over the age of 13 but under the legal age of majority can still enter and participate if they meet all eligibility criteria and have a parent or legal guardian who reads and accepts the Official Rules on their behalf.

For minors, it’s also important to keep parents or legal guardians informed about their participation in the tournament, especially if they qualify for a live event. Their involvement will be necessary for travel arrangements, signing waivers, and communication.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege’s official esports event is open to everyone aged 18 and up. Participants who are 16 or 17 years old can also attend, but they must provide parental consent in the form of a written document.

The event is not open to anyone under 16 years old. This ensures a level of maturity among participants and complies with legal requirements for minors.

Guilty Gear

The Guilty Gear tournament is only open to legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years old and have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence as of the date of registration.

This age restriction ensures that all participants are legally adults, which is important for maintaining a responsible and legally compliant competitive environment in the tournament.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

All players must complete the online registration process to enter the SSBU tournament.

If a player is a minor (under 18 or under the legal age of majority in their region), their parent or legal guardian must also complete this process.

Tekken 7

Tekken 7 tourney is open to players who are of legal age in the jurisdiction of the tournament or have explicit permission from their parent or guardian.

If a winner does not meet these eligibility criteria, their participation will be void.

Street Fighter 6

Players must be at least 13 years old and meet the age rating set for Street Fighter 6 in their country.

Minors need parental consent to register and participate and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at tournaments.

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty

Players eligible to win EPT Points must be 16 years or older, 24 hours before an ESL Open Cup.

Smite

There are no specific age or account level requirements for the SOC, but players must be old enough to comply with the SMITE Terms of Service (13 years old) and have an account in good standing.

Mortal Kombat 1

MK 1 tournaments in the USA or Canada are open to individuals who are 17 years or older. Outside these regions, participants must be 18 years or older. Minors need their parent or legal guardian to execute required forms to compete.

FAQ

Can a 15 year old play esports?

Yes, a 15-year-old can play esports. Games like Rocket League and Smite are suitable for this age, with Rocket League requiring players to be at least 15.

What esports games are safe and suitable for kids under 10?

Not many esports games are suitable for kids under 10, as the minimum age requirements typically start at 13 years old. However, Minecraft is a fun and safe game for kids under 10 to play.

What esports games are only for those above 18?

Games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Overwatch 2, and Call of Duty: Black Ops III/Warzone are only for those over 18, as per their age requirements.

Should there be a maximum age restriction for eSports?

There is currently no maximum age limit for esports. This should remain the case for the foreseeable future to avoid age discrimination. No one is too old to compete in esports.

Final Tips

If we helped you find out you’re eligible for an esports tournament, then congratulations! We can also help you prepare for it with our library of esports courses.

If you didn’t make the cut, worry not. There are tons of other games in different genres that you might like. We revealed each one in our guide on how to start an esports career for any age.

Finally, there’s the option of waiting until you are old enough. You can make the most of the wait time by honing your skills through practice and research. Be the best you can be!