How Much Do Esports Players Earn?

A look at how much money professional esports players make from playing video games competitively.

Introduction

Whether you’re a fan of professional gaming or not, it’s hard to deny that esports is a rapidly growing industry. With massive prize pools and millions of dollars up for grabs, it’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to esports as a way to earn a living.

But just how much do esports players earn? Well, it depends on a few factors, such as the game they play, their team’s performance, and their individual results. Generally speaking, however, the average esports player can expect to earn anywhere from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars per year.

Of course, there are always outliers at both ends of the spectrum. For example, some of the very best players in the world can earn upwards of $10 million per year, while lower-tier players might only bring in a few hundred dollars. But even then, it’s safe to say that most esports players are doing quite well for themselves financially.

So if you’re thinking about getting into the world of professional gaming, rest assured that there is plenty of money to be made. Just how much you can earn will depend on your skills and dedication to the craft.

How Much Do the Pros Earn?

Esports is a growing industry with more and more people getting involved every day. But how much do the pros earn? This is a question that is often debated. Let’s take a look at what the top earners in esports make.

Salaries

While exact numbers are difficult to come by, a report from Forbes in 2018 suggested that the average yearly salary for an esports player is $60,000. However, this number varies greatly depending on the game, the organization an athlete plays for, and their level of success. The best players in the world can easily make millions of dollars per year from prize money, sponsorship deals, and playing contracts.

Tournaments and Prize Money

The amount of prize money at stake in esports has been rising rapidly in recent years, thanks in part to the growing popularity of the industry and the increasing number of investors who are willing to put money into it. The total prize pool for all esports tournaments was estimated to be worth around $655 million in 2017, up from just $165 million in 2015.

While some professional gamers are able to make a living from Streams and sponsorships, the majority of their income still comes from winning tournaments and other competitions. The prize money on offer at these events can vary wildly, depending on the game being played, the size of the tournament, and the location where it is taking place.

The International is the biggest and most prestigious annual tournament for Dota 2, with a prize pool of over $24 million in 2017. By comparison, first place at the League of Legends World Championship earned a team $1 million from a prize pool of $4.7 million.

How Much Do the Amateurs Earn?

According to a report by Forbes, the average earnings for an amateur Esports player is around $12,500 annually. This may not sound like a lot, but it is a significant amount when compared to the earnings of traditional athletes. The report also states that the average pro player earns around $316,000 per year.

Salaries

The best-paid professional gamers earn millions of dollars per year. A select few makeirregular incomes from prize money, content production, merchandise sales, and otherstreaming platforms. Some top players have sponsors who cover the cost of travel tocompete in tournaments. Most amateurs, on the other hand, are not so lucky.

There are a few different ways that amateur players can earn money gaming. The first isby being signed to an esports organization. Organizations will usually offer a base salary,travel stipends, and sometimes a cut of any winnings. The second way is through online tournaments. These tend to have smaller prize pools but are open to anyone who wants to compete. The third way is by becoming a content creator and streaming their gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube Gaming. This can be a full-time job in itself and many popular streamers make a very good living off of ad revenue and donations from their viewers.

Tournaments and Prize Money

The earning potential for professional gamers is on the rise, thanks in part to the popularity of esports.

While prize money has always been a part of competitive gaming, the size of the purses has grown exponentially in recent years. The total amount of prize money awarded in esports tournaments increased from $6.7 million in 2014 to $32 million in 2015, according to industry research firm SuperData. And that figure is expected to more than double again to $70 million in 2016.

The increase is due largely to the growing popularity of esports, which has led to more sponsorships and bigger tournament purses. The prize money for some of the biggest tournaments can now reach into the millions of dollars.

The International, a Dota 2 tournament organized by Valve, had a prize pool of more than $20 million in 2016. That was more than double the amount of prize money up for grabs at The International 2015, and it made it the largest prize pool in esports history.

Other Overwatch World Cup 2016 – Inaugural Season”, and had a prize pool of nearly $4 million.
ELeague Major 2017″, with a prize pool of $1 million.

Conclusion

In conclusion, esports players can earn a significant amount of money, especially if they are at the top of their game. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is a lot of competition in the world of esports, and not every player will be able to make a living off of their gaming skills. If you’re serious about becoming an esports player, it’s important to be realistic about your earnings potential and to understand that you may have to supplement your income with other sources of income.