The most common way to make money in esports is to join an esports team as a professional player. You will earn a salary and receive a share of the monetary prizes you win on behalf of the team. The average esports player earns $1,000 to $5,000 per month.
There’s an obvious problem with this method: not every gamer can be lucky enough to join an esports team. Thankfully, that is not the only way to make money in esports. There are at least 14 ways to do this without too much hassle.
In this post, we’ll explore how to make money in esports using gaming and non-gaming methods that work. Let’s dive in!
How Esports Players Make Money
Esports is a booming industry where players can earn serious cash. From streaming their gameplay to snatching big wins in tournaments, there are many ways for gaming pros to make money.
Let’s dive into the exciting world of esports and explore how these skilled players turn their passion into profit.
1. Salary
Imagine you’re a top-tier esports player. Your gaming skills don’t just bring you fame; they can also earn you an average salary of a whopping $314,000 a year – and that’s without counting the prize money from competitions!
So, what factors into this payday? Here’s a quick rundown:
- Your Skills: How good are you at your game? Your prowess can significantly boost your earnings.
- Social Following: Got a bunch of followers cheering you on social media? That popularity can translate into dollars.
- Reputation: Are you known for your strategic gameplay or your fast reflexes? A solid reputation in the gaming world can fatten your paycheck.
- Team Size and Game: Playing for a big-name team or in a popular game? That can mean more money.
- Competitions: The types and levels of competitions your team participates in can also sway your salary.
And here’s the kicker: If you’re at the top of your game, you could be looking at millions per year from your organization. That’s why a pro gamer like Faker can boast of a net worth of over $4 million.
Imagine that – gaming your way to millionaire status! This makes salary a key player in the income game for esports professionals.
2. Winning tournament prizes
The biggest esports tournaments, like ‘The International 2021’, can boast prize pools over $40,000,000. That’s a lot of zeroes!
Now, how does this prize money get to you? Typically, there’s a favorable split between players and their organizations.
Often, it’s around 80% for the players and 20% for the organization, but this can vary based on contracts. Some generous organizations even hand over all the winnings to their players.
This means if you’re part of a winning team, you could be pocketing a significant chunk of that multimillion-dollar prize. And while the team as a whole might not get the prize money directly, your triumphs boost the team’s brand big time.
As esports continues to grow, so do these prize pools, making tournament wins not just a matter of pride but a major payday.
Imagine competing in your favorite game and walking away with a life-changing sum. That’s the power of prize money in esports!
3. Individual sponsorship deals
In esports, individual sponsorship deals are gold, much like endorsements for traditional athletes.
Imagine you’re a gamer with a popular Twitch feed. Brands are eager to partner with you for that direct connection to your audience.
One common strategy? Affiliate codes. You get a code from a brand, share it with your viewers, and every time someone uses it to make a purchase, you earn a commission. It’s a win-win!
However, it’s not always smooth sailing. The esports hype has cooled a bit, making companies more cautious about where they put their money.
Some current sponsors are even rethinking their commitments. But here’s the upside: a well-struck deal can tap into a goldmine of digitally engaged, young audiences. These are people entering their prime spending years, making them incredibly valuable for brands.
So, as an esports player, your challenge is to offer potential sponsors real value for their financial support. It’s about proving that partnering with you isn’t just cool – it’s smart business.
This way, sponsorships can open doors to significant earnings, all while you do what you love: play and stream your favorite games.
4. Streaming and content creation
If you’re a gamer, you can transform your passion into a thriving profession as a streamer, writer, podcaster, or social media influencer. Entertain, inform, and engage a massive audience through various types of content.
Let’s talk about the types of esports content you can create:
- Live Streaming: Be the star of your own show! Broadcast your gameplay live, share your strategies, and interact with fans in real-time. Platforms like Twitch are your stage.
- Gameplay Videos: Post your gaming sessions on YouTube. Show off your skills, share tips and tricks, or just have fun with your audience.
- Esports Podcasts: Share your thoughts on the latest in esports, interview other gamers, or discuss gaming trends. Your voice can be a powerful tool in the esports community.
- Gaming Blogs and Articles: Love writing? Create compelling articles or blog posts about gaming strategies, industry news, or game reviews.
- Social Media Content: Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok to share quick gaming updates, behind-the-scenes looks, or just connect with your followers in a more personal way.
Each type of content offers a unique way to engage with your audience and build your brand in the esports world.
5. Selling merch
Selling merchandise (or merch) in esports isn’t just about slapping your logo on a t-shirt; it’s about connecting with fans on a whole new level.
As esports gains recognition as a legitimate sport in many countries, selling branded merch will become more lucrative. Every piece of merch is an opportunity to turn a fan into a walking billboard for your brand.
Here are four tips to make your esports merch a hit:
- Choose Unique Products
Don’t just follow the crowd. Offer something unique that reflects your brand and appeals to your fans. Think beyond the usual – every hoodie and hat should tell a story about your team.
- Represent Your Brand
Your merch isn’t just merchandise; it’s a statement. It should scream your style and ethos. Whether it’s bold, minimalist, or quirky, make sure it’s unmistakably you.
- Product Ideas
Start with fan favorites like hoodies, tank tops, sweatshirts, and hats. But why stop there? How about branded mugs for those late-night gaming sessions?
- Go Online
An online store is your best friend. It’s your gateway to reaching fans across the globe, offering them a piece of the esports world they love.
6. Coaching
Just like coaches in traditional sports, an esports coach plays a crucial role in training and motivating a team, identifying each player’s strengths and weaknesses, and developing winning strategies.
You might wear multiple hats – head coach, strategic coach, even sports psychologist. Each role demands different skills and offers a unique impact on the team’s performance. They also come with various salaries.
In the mid-tier levels, coaches earn around £50-500 per month. But there’s room to grow! You can offer personalized coaching sessions, with some coaches charging £20 to £100 or more per session, depending on their reputation and skill level.
For the best teams, coaches can earn low six-figure salaries. You’ll be immersed in the team environment, often located in a gaming house or office, with meals and travel covered.
It’s a competitive field. Initially, you might not earn much, especially if you’re not an ex-pro player. Many start voluntarily or with unpaid roles in grassroots teams to gain experience.
7. In-game skin sales
Gaming companies often honor standout players by featuring them in the game with signature skins or items. When other players purchase these, it becomes a revenue stream for the esports player.
Signature skins are unique, often character or weapon designs that reflect a player’s persona or team branding. When gamers buy these skins, they’re customizing their game and supporting their favorite esports stars.
Big titles like Rocket League, CS:GO, and Rainbow Six Siege have embraced esports-specific skins.
Publishers share a significant portion of the revenue from these sales with esports teams. For instance, Ubisoft shares between 20% and 50% of R6 Siege skin sales with teams.
Teams usually pass on a large chunk of this revenue to their players. In massive events like VALORANT’s ‘Champions’ competition, themed skin sales can generate millions.
For example, sales from Champions skins brought in about $40 million in 2023, half of which went to the participating teams. The revenue for the previous year was $32 million.
8. Community support
If you’re a fantastic player but you don’t have enough money to compete for big prizes, you can look to the gamer community for help.
This method is especially effective for solo esports games like NBA 2K, Madden NFL, and EAFC (formerly FIFA).
You can get support from the community via two avenues:
1. Crowdfunding:
This is a fantastic way for fans to directly support their favorite players and teams. By contributing to crowdfunding campaigns, fans can help cover expenses like travel, equipment, or even training facilities.
The best crowdfunding platform for creators, especially those in the esports and streaming worlds, is Patreon.
2. Donations:
Many gamers rely on the generosity of their viewers. Donations, big or small, can significantly support your career. You can open a GoFundMe or Kickstarter for this.
Unlike traditional transactions, donations and crowdfunding are not mandatory. They’re acts of goodwill, showing that in esports, the community is willing to invest in its heroes.
9. Course creation
Creating an esports course is an excellent way for gamers to earn money, especially since many esports players retire early. It’s a form of passive income that can last beyond your playing or streaming career. But, how do you get started? Here’s a breakdown:
Choose the right game and audience:
Start by selecting a game you’re passionate about and understand deeply. Then, identify your target audience – are they beginners, intermediates, or advanced players?
Create engaging content:
Your content should be clear, engaging, and inclusive. Consider different skill levels and make your course accessible to a diverse audience. Incorporate gamification, leaderboards, or achievement badges to keep learners motivated.
Select a platform to host your course:
You need a reliable platform where students can access your content. Options include self-hosted websites for complete control or platforms like Stratplays, tailored for esports content.
Market and gather feedback:
Once your course is live, continuously market it and gather feedback. Use tools like post-course surveys and student forums to understand the impact of your course and make necessary improvements.
Remember, the key is to provide value, be it through mastering specific strategies or improving overall gaming skills.
And for hosting your course, Stratplays is a great option with features like course rating and feedback, helping you refine your content and reach more students.
Ready to turn your gaming expertise into a rewarding educational experience? Click here to get started!
Other Ways to Make Money in Esports
Beyond the keyboard and controller, there are countless ways to get in on the action. Let’s uncover the best ways to make money in the esports industry without playing games.
1. Investing
Investing in the pro gaming space can be a smart move if you’re looking to diversify your portfolio. Please note that this is different from betting. Many finance experts are already doing it.
So, how can investors make money in esports? There are two ways to do it.
1. Publicly-Traded Stocks:
This is the most straightforward way to invest in esports. Many esports organizations have publicly-traded stocks. You can buy and sell these stocks through online brokers, giving you more control and flexibility in your investments. Starting is as simple as creating a brokerage account online.
2. Private Market Investments:
For a more direct approach, consider investing in esports startup companies. Startups are riskier but offer higher potential returns. As esports gains global momentum, numerous startups are emerging, many focusing solely on gaming and competitions.
However, these private investments are typically reserved for top investors, so building a network in the esports investment community is crucial.
So, which investment type is better for esports? Let’s take a look at their pros and cons.
| Investment Type | Publicly-Traded Stocks | Private Market Investments |
| Pros | – Beginner-friendly and easy to grasp – Lower risk, unlikely to lose entire investment – Easily sold through public exchanges for quick liquidity | – Offers higher potential profits – Focuses specifically on esports, ideal for dedicated investors in this sector |
| Cons | – Rare to find a company exclusively dedicated to esports – Potential for high returns is less compared to private investments | – Requires deeper investment knowledge – Greater risk involved – Typically accessible only to well-connected investors in the esports arena |
2. Betting
eSports betting is an emerging and exciting field, blending the thrill of competitive gaming with the world of sports gambling.
It operates much like traditional sports betting, where you can place bets on competitive video game matches played either by teams or individuals.
Popular esports games to bet on include:
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Valorant
- Leagues of Legend
- Dota 2
- Overwatch
- Rocket League
- Fortnite.
These games are popular enough for gambling sites to open betting markets for them. The sportsbooks list these eSports fixtures, offering you the opportunity to bet on various events.
Much like traditional betting, you will need to navigate through different betting markets and compare odds before placing your bet. Do remember to bet responsibly!
3. Owning an eSports team
Creating and managing an eSports team can be a lucrative venture, given the right strategies and management. You can also buy an existing team.
If you own an esports team or organization, how do you make money, especially if you are not guaranteed to win prizes?
You don’t have to win to make a profit from your team. There are multiple ways to monetize this business. Check them out below:
- Sponsorships: This is a major revenue source for eSports teams. Sponsorship deals can form up to 95% of a team’s revenue. However, the short lifespan of popular games can impact the sustainability of these sponsorships.
- Broadcast Revenue: Teams may earn money through broadcast rights, though this often depends on agreements with game developers and league creators.
- Merchandise Sales: While not a significant portion of the revenue, selling branded apparel, accessories, and gaming equipment can supplement income.
- Prize Money: Success in tournaments doesn’t just bring prize money; it also enhances brand visibility. However, prize money typically goes to individual players rather than the team as a whole.
- Subscriptions and Naming Rights: Teams like Team Liquid have capitalized on selling naming rights for facilities, and players with a high profile, such as Ninja from Luminosity Gaming, can bring substantial revenue through Twitch subscriptions.
As eSports continues to grow, so do the opportunities for revenue generation and brand building for team owners.
We recommend that you use a site like Seek Team, to begin the journey of recruiting players for your new team.
4. Working in the esports industry
If you’re dreaming of a career in the esports industry, there’s a world of opportunities waiting for you. Depending on your goals, you’ll likely need a relevant bachelor’s degree in fields like marketing, broadcasting, or business.
But remember, in esports, what you’ve done can matter more than what you’ve studied. Building a portfolio that showcases your skills will set you apart.
You could find yourself in various roles, from managing teams and events to promoting the next big game on social media. For the communicators among you, there are opportunities in broadcasting and journalism.
So, if you’re passionate about gaming and have the skills to match, the esports industry could be your playground.
You can learn more in our recent post on how to start a non-gaming esports career.
5. Organizing esports tournaments
If you have more of an entrepreneurial spirit, you may have wondered how to make money in esports events. Well, this is your lucky day. And no, you don’t have to fund the entire tournament from your wallet.
To secure funding for your esports tournament, consider reaching out to gaming and tech companies for sponsorships. You can also charge registration fees and collaborate with vendors.
Organizing your own esports tournament involves four key stages before the main event:
- Venue and registration: Start by booking a suitable venue and creating an easy-to-use registration page. Ensure the venue meets your technical and logistical needs.
- Marketing: Begin advertising your event 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Your marketing materials should include essential information like registration details, fees, and event highlights. Keep communication lines open and responsive.
- Player recruitment: Attract players by offering incentives like prizes, cash payouts, and the opportunity to compete in popular games. Make sure the event caters to players of all skill levels.
- Equipment and staff: Gather necessary equipment and hire specialized staff for the smooth running of the tournament.
You want to create an engaging and successful esports tournament that appeals to both players and spectators.
That concludes our insights into how to make money in esports. We recommend that you make a shortlist of the methods that interest you. Rank them according to their viability based on your budget, experience, and skillset. After that, it’s time to get to work!
