How to Start an Esports Program: A Step-by-Step Guide

You want to start an esports program at your school, but you’re not sure where to start. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, from finding interested students to setting up matches and tournaments.

Introduction

The world of competitive gaming, commonly known as esports, has seen explosive growth in recent years. Esports programs have cropped up at colleges and universities across the globe, giving students the opportunity to compete in organized leagues and tournaments.

If you’re thinking of starting an esports program at your school, there are a few things to keep in mind. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of starting an esports program, from finding interested students to securing funding.

First, let’s take a look at what an esports program looks like.

Step One: Assemble a Team

The first step to starting an esports program is to develop a team of dedicated students who are interested in competitive gaming. It’s important to note that not all students who enjoy playing video games will be interested in joining an esports team. In order to start a successful program, you will need to identify students who are not only skilled gamers, but also have the passion and drive to compete at a high level.

The best way to find potential members for your team is to hold tryouts or tournaments. This will not only allow you to identify the most talented gamers, but it will also help build excitement and hype around your program. Be sure to advertise these tryouts or tournaments widely, as you want as many students as possible to be aware of your new esports program.

Step Two: Find a Coach
Once you have assembled a team of dedicated gamers, the next step is to find a coach. This can be someone who already has experience coaching traditional sports teams, or it can be a student who is highly skilled in the game or games you plan on competing in. Whoever you choose, it’s important that they are able to communicate effectively and have a good understanding of the game or games you’ll be playing.

In addition to finding a coach, it’s also important to develop a practice schedule that works for everyone on the team. This schedule should include time for both individual and team practice, as well as time for members to bond and socialize outside of practice.

Step Three: Join or Create a League
The next step is to join or create an esports league. There are many different types of leagues out there, so it’s important that you do your research and find one that’s right for your team. Once you’ve joined a league, you’ll need to register your team and pay any associated fees. These fees vary depending on the league, but they typically range from $50-$200 per team.

After you’ve registered your team, you’ll need to schedule matches with other teams in the league. These matches are typically played online, but some leagues may require teams to travel for offline tournaments or events.

Step Two: Create a Budget

Now that you have a better understanding of what you need to get started, it’s time to start thinking about how much it’s all going to cost.

take some time to research the cost of equipment, tournament fees, and travel expenses. It’s also important to factor in the cost of salaries for any staff or coaches you plan on hiring.

Once you have a good idea of what your startup costs will be, it’s time to start creating a budget. Be sure to include both one-time and recurring expenses, as well as a contingency fund for unexpected costs.

If you need help getting started, check out our sample budget for an esports program.

Step Three: Choose Your Game

The game you select will be the foundation of your program, so it’s important to select one that is popular among students and has a competitive scene that you can tap into. Some of the most popular games right now are League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, and Hearthstone. But don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to these games—if there’s another game that is popular on your campus, go with that!

Once you’ve selected a game, do some research on the competitive scene. Are there well-established leagues and tournaments? Is there prize money available? Are there college clubs or teams already playing the game? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you determine what kind of program you need to create in order to be successful.

Step Four: Join a League

Now that you have assembled a team and practiced together, it is time to join a league. Leagues provide structure and competition for your team, and can help you gauge your team’s progress.

There are many different types of esports leagues, from those run by game publishers to those run by third-party organizers. Some leagues are open to all teams, while others require teams to qualify through a combine or other process.

Before joining a league, do your research to make sure it is the right fit for your team. Here are some things to consider:
-Size: Does the league have enough teams for there to be interesting matches? Are the teams of similar skill level?
-Structure: How often do matches take place? Is the schedule reasonable for your team’savailability?
-Cost: Is there an entry fee? Are there any other costs associated with participating in the league?
-Prizing: Does the league offer prizing for winning teams? What is the prizing structure?
-Rules: What are the league’s rules and regulations? Do they seem fair and balanced?

Once you have joined a league, make sure to follow through with participating in matches and adhering to the rules and regulations. Leagues are a great way to improve as an esports team, but only if you put in the effort!

Step Five: Market Your Team

Now that you’ve established your team, you need to market it to potential players, sponsors, and fans. There are a number of ways to do this, but some of the most effective include social media, streaming platforms, and content creation.

Start by creating social media accounts for your team on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Then, begin posting content that will appeal to your target audience. This can include highlights from practice and matches, player profiles, and behind-the-scenes videos. You should also make sure to post regularly and interact with other users to get your team’s name out there.

In addition to social media, another great way to market your team is through streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. Create channels for your team and start live streaming matches and scrimmages. This will not only help raise awareness for your team, but it can also attract new players and fans who are interested in watching competitive gaming.

Finally, consider creating written or video content about your team. This can be anything from blog posts and interviews with players to match breakdowns and helpful tips for aspiring gamers. By producing quality content, you’ll not only show potential players and sponsors that you’re serious about esports, but you’ll also demonstrate your commitment to growing the scene as a whole.

Conclusion

There’s no question that launching an esports program can be a daunting task. But with careful planning and execution, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved.

We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of what it takes to start an esports program and how you can set your team up for success. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].