Cybersports is not just a game, it is a whole industry where ordinary players become real athletes. Cybersports unites thousands of gamers in virtual arenas where more than just winning the game is decided.
Cybersports tournaments attract huge attention of spectators from all over the world, and talented players become celebrities with millions of dollars in fees and a huge army of fans, which is comparable to the popularity of athletes in classic sports. Developing every year, cybersport creates new opportunities for those who seek not just to play games, but to build their professional path.
So, how to earn money in cybersport? Let’s take a look at the popular options.
Career as a professional player
If you love to play and do it better than other players around you, you should consider a career as a professional player. It’s just like regular sports – regular training and participation in real competitions.
The most popular career disciplines are CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2, Valorant, League of Legends (LOL), Rocket League, Rainbow Six, Apex Legends, Overwatch.
A cyber athlete’s earnings usually consist of:
- Salary in the club (in the pro scene it can be from 2-3 thousand dollars to 20-30 thousand dollars per month)
- Prize money from tournaments. For example, in CS2 during the season there are several dozen tournaments with a prize pool of more than $100,000. The winner usually takes 30-40% of the prize pool, teams ranked 10-15 places get about 2-10 thousand. The prize money is usually divided among the players.
- Personal sponsorship contracts.
Coaching career
What should a player do after he leaves the pro scene? Coach young talent, of course. After all, who better to teach the game than a former pro. Coaching salaries in professional clubs start at 3-4 thousand dollars a month, and coaches are often invited as commentators and analysts by famous streaming studios.