How to become a professional gamer: A step-by-step guide
If your child dreams of going pro in gaming, they’re not alone. From Fortnite phenoms to esports champions, pro gaming has grown into a booming industry filled with opportunity, competition, and a whole lot of screen time. So, how do you turn a love for gaming into a career?
Whether your child is chasing prize money or planning their college path, here's what every aspiring gamer — and their family — should know.
1. Choose your game (and platform) wisely
The first step? Picking a game they love that has an active competitive scene. Popular titles in the professional world include:
League of Legends (PC)
Valorant (PC)
Fortnite (PC and console)
Super Smash Bros. (console)
Rocket League (PC and console)
Call of Duty (console and PC)
Pro tip: Watch tournaments on Twitch or YouTube Gaming to see which games are hot and what high-level play looks like.
2. Master your craft
Going pro means getting good — really good. That takes practice, feedback, and a growth mindset. Here’s how kids can level up:
Set a practice schedule: Treat it like a sport. Create a weekly routine with set hours each day for focused practice. Start with one to two hours after homework, and make weekends your deep-dive session. Use a timer to stay on track and avoid burnout.
Watch replays: Record your gameplay and rewatch it to spot mistakes or missed opportunities. Ask: Where did I hesitate? Did I miss an opening? What could I have done differently? This habit builds self-awareness and sharpens strategy.
Follow the pros: Subscribe to top players on Twitch or YouTube. Watch how they communicate, make decisions under pressure, and move in-game. Take notes. You can even slow down replays to understand the mechanics behind their moves.
Join online communities: Hop into Discord servers or subreddits dedicated to your game. Ask for feedback, share clips, and participate in casual scrims or tournaments. It’s a great way to get advice and build friendships with other players who are improving, too.
3. Compete early and often
Be a financially smart family!
Start small. Most pros begin with amateur or local tournaments before moving to the big leagues. Here’s how to get started:
Find a tournament: Browse platforms like Start.gg or Battlefy for beginner-friendly events in your child’s chosen game. Look for keywords like "open bracket," "beginner," or "youth league."
Register an account: Sign up with an email and gamer tag. Kids under 13 may need a parent or guardian to help with registration, depending on the platform’s age policy.
Check the rules: Every tournament has guidelines for format, communication, and in-game settings. Make sure you and your child read these ahead of time.
Get set up: Test your internet connection, update your game, and join any required Discord servers or game lobbies before match time. Be prepared to help ease any nerves.
Compete and learn: Matches may be one-on-one or team-based. Some are single elimination; others let you keep playing in lower brackets. Either way, your child gains real experience of what it takes to thrive in a competitive environment.
4. Build a personal brand
In esports, skill gets you noticed. But personality can help you stand out. That’s where building a personal brand comes in. Think of it as your child's gaming identity — how they present themselves to the world, both in and out of the game.
You might be thinking, why does this matter? Recruiters and sponsors often look beyond leaderboard rankings. They want to see a player who is positive, professional, and engaging. A strong personal brand can lead to streaming income, brand partnerships, and social media growth.
How to do it well:
Create a gamer tag: Choose a unique, family-friendly name that your child can use consistently across platforms.
Set up a streaming channel: Twitch and YouTube are top picks. Help them create a clean layout, intro graphics, and rules for chat behavior.
Post regularly: Short clips of great plays, funny moments, or tips for beginners can help them build an audience. Keep captions respectful and positive.
Engage with followers: Encourage your child to respond to positive comments, thank viewers for support, and collaborate with other young streamers.
Stay safe and respectful: Monitor online activity and coach them to avoid sharing personal info. Block and report toxic users and model good digital citizenship.
5. Balance school and screen time
Gaming can be a huge time commitment, but school is still the top priority.
Here’s how families can help kids find balance:
Create a daily schedule: Block out time for schoolwork, meals, breaks, and gaming. Visual planners or calendar apps can help kids stick to routines.
Use tech to your advantage: Set parental controls or app timers to manage daily screen time. Some kids even set alarms to remind them when to log off and study.
Make academics non-negotiable: Homework comes first. Gaming becomes a reward for staying on track.
Encourage movement and rest: For every hour of screen time, take a 10 to 15 minute break to stretch, walk, or grab water. Sleep matters too, so aim for 8 to 10 hours per night.
Talk about goals: If your child wants to go pro, remind them that many players attend college first. Esports scholarships, like those at University of California, Irvine, Boise State University, or Maryville University, combine academics with gaming dreams.
6. Explore esports camps and training programs
Just like sports have camps, esports have coaching programs. These offer training, team play, and even help with college recruitment. Some programs to explore:
College-hosted summer camps or local tech clubs
These programs offer many things, such as the following:
Skill development: Players get personalized coaching on mechanics, strategy, and decision-making.
Teamwork and communication: Many programs group kids into teams to learn coordination, shot-calling, and leadership.
Competitive experience: Scrimmages and mini-tournaments give players a taste of real esports pressure.
Feedback and growth: Coaches offer evaluations to help players set goals and track progress.
Networking and exposure: Advanced camps may have guest speakers, college scouts, or recruiters watching.
7. Understand the business side
Beyond playing the game is the business side of being a professional. Take time to understand the financial side of the business to set yourself up for success:
Contracts and representation: Players joining a team or signing with an organization may be offered a contract. These documents outline responsibilities, payment, time commitments, and content expectations. Kids should never sign alone — parents or a trusted adult should review every clause, and involving a lawyer is often a good idea.
Brand partnerships and sponsors: Companies may offer gear, cash, or promotion in exchange for exposure. Make sure these deals are ethical, age-appropriate, and beneficial to the player.
Taxes and income tracking: Money from tournaments, streaming, or sponsorships may count as taxable income. It’s helpful to keep detailed records and talk to a tax professional if income becomes regular.
Time management and self-care: Being a "brand" can be exhausting. Professional gamers are expected to play well, promote, and often stream or post content. Parents can help create healthy boundaries, downtime, and check-ins.
8. Develop soft skills, too
You’ll need quick reflexes, but soft skills are just as important to become a successful gamer. Focus on developing:
Communication: Especially important in team games, players must be clear communicators. Whether it’s calling out an enemy’s location or discussing team strategy, good communication keeps teams strong.
Emotional regulation: Losing a match or getting frustrated is part of the process. Great players know how to stay calm, reset, and come back stronger. Breathing techniques, mindset coaching, and encouraging peer groups help.
Adaptability: Games evolve, metas shift, and strategies change. Successful players embrace change, learn from losses, and are willing to try new tactics.
Leadership and teamwork: Esports is rarely a solo venture. Building trust, sharing responsibility, and supporting teammates can elevate a whole squad.
Parents can help by modeling these skills, encouraging reflection after games, and celebrating growth over wins.
9. Know when (and how) to go pro
Beyond talent, the decision to go pro is a question of a player’s readiness, the timing in their life, and having a strong support system.
Here are signs your child may be ready:
They’re ranking high: Whether it’s top 1% on a leaderboard or consistent wins in tourneys, they’re standing out.
They’ve built a presence: They’ve started streaming, gained followers, or have clips circulating regularly online.
Teams are reaching out: Some organizations scout talent early, especially for games with high turnover or youth leagues.
They’re passionate and self-driven: Going pro is a commitment. If they’re managing school and gaming well, that’s a good sign.
How to go pro:
Apply to teams or organizations: Some teams have tryouts or open applications.
Work with a coach or mentor: They can offer advice, connections, and help avoid common pitfalls.
Join a player agency: Some agencies represent young players and help them navigate contracts and sponsorships.
Stay grounded: Even with success, it’s important to continue prioritizing education, friendships, and mental health.
Going pro should be a family affair. Talk often, celebrate wins, and make sure your child is chasing gaming success in a healthy, sustainable way.
10. Keep it healthy and fun
At the end of the day, gaming should bring joy. Whether or not your child becomes a pro, they’ll gain valuable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance.
Encourage them to:
Take regular breaks
Connect with friends offline
Reflect on what they enjoy about gaming
And most importantly, remind them that success doesn’t happen overnight. But with support and patience, anything is possible.
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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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