Work Environment
Esport Athletes typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- Esport Athlete- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
The Work
Esport athletes maintain a busy schedule which is dedicated to improving their performance in video games. This can involve long hours of practice, reviewing footage from matches, working with their coach, and competing directly to qualify for and achieve results in competitions.
They may have to adjust to difficult work hours. Competing may involve playing matches scheduled for other time sones, and may involve regular travel.
Job security is notoriously poor, and even the most stable organisations can decide to let players go. Athletes must be mindful of future opportunities at all times.
In 2019, only about 20% of esport athletes had a career lasting even 2 years.
Maintaining a healthy personal brand, having good relationships with other athletes, and a positive attitude towards work can help to secure opportunities when change eventually arrives.
Work tasks...
- Practice playing video games to hone a variety of skills.
- Participate in informal, scheduled matches with other players or teams.
- Manage a personal diet, fitness regime, and sleep schedule to ensure optimal performance.
- Travel to attend in-person competitions.
- Manage a personal brand and social media presence.
- Network to secure future opportunities with teams, brands, and other players.
- Handle the stress of tough competition and potentially critical fans.
- Participate in interviews and panels, and produce content to support an esport organisation’s brand partnerships.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
- Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
- Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
- Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
- Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
- Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
- Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
- Lead teams by serving as captain.
Qualities - Esport Athlete
Esports is a competitive field, and a high level of resilience and tenacity are required to keep up. Adaptability is also important, as athletes may have to move country to pursue opportunities, and esport games are subject to continual updates from the game publisher.
Being coachable is a key skill, as gamers often find initial success through unhealthy habits like staying up late to practice. Achieving peak performance means following the science around diet and fitness, and learning important skills to communicate with teammates, agents, and managers.
Interests - Esport Athlete
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Entry - Esport Athlete
Esport athletes usually discover their potential by excelling at a particular esport game, or by participating in an esport club. Exceptional performance can lead to meeting like-minded people and esport professionals, who can offer guidance towards opportunities in the field.
There are few if any formal courses on how to be an esport athlete, however some universities may have an esport club which can provide support. In general, the field is a highly competitive meritocracy and athletes will need to prove and make opportunities for themselves.
Many esport games demand very fast reaction times. These typically start to decline at around age 26, which can make this career more difficult for older athletes in some games.
Participation in elite esports tends to be male-dominated, and athletes of other genders may struggle to find acceptance, role models, or opportunities in the field.
A number of initiatives aim to make esports more widely accessible, and provide spaces for building confidence and a peer network. It is encouraged to seek out these communities for each individual esport game.
Further info...
Last Updated: January, 2023
Pay & Salary - Esport Athlete
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €6k - €50k
The salary range in esports varies depending on the individual game, the tier of competition, the salary offered by a particular employer, and the athlete’s success in tournaments.
The majority of aspiring athletes do not reach financial sustainability.
In 2019, the median annual prize money earned by esport athletes was less than €1000.
Esport organisations have been known to offer exploitative contracts with little to no base salary. All esport athletes should consult an esports legal professional before signing a contract.
Data Source(s):
Statista/ Glassdoor/ Esportsearnings
Last Updated: February, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Esport Athlete
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment levels fell in this occupation between 2021 and 2022, with 6,000 fewer people employed compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment numbers were small across the individual roles included in this occupation; although the Census shows that there was some growth over the period 2016 to 2022, this was primarily related to fitness instructors.
A half of all persons employed in this occupation worked part-time, far exceeding the national average of 22%. Employment permits issued for this group related to professional sports players sports coaches/instructors. The rising cost of living is likely to have an impact on the demand for the services provided by many people working in these occupations.
An increased use of digital fitness, particularly during COVID-19, may also have an impact on future demand for these roles, along with a shift in the skills profile required (e.g. digital skills). As such, the outlook for this occupation is uncertain, with any potential employment growth dependent on the levels of consumer discretionary spending.
Useful Contacts - Esport Athlete
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Ireland ESports
-
Imirt Irish Game Makers
-
Ardan
- Cluain Mhuire Wellpark Road, Galway City, Ireland, H91 WP9K
- 091 770 748
- [email protected]
- Click Here
