How to Get Into Esports UK
The most realistic way into esports in the UK is to pick one game, build a track record in amateur competitions, and use British Esports/university pathways while networking with teams and organisers.
Quick Summary
- 1.Choose your path – Player, caster, coach, events, marketing, or production
- 2.Build track record – Enter FACEIT/ESL/Battlefy tournaments, grind ranked
- 3.Use UK pathways – British Esports, university courses, BTEC qualifications
- 4.Get experience – Volunteer at events, admin tournaments, help amateur teams
- 5.Network – UK Discords, Twitter/X, Insomnia/EGX events
- 6.Apply – Target UK orgs, use specialist job boards
Step 1: Choose Your Career Path
Esports is more than just being a player. The UK scene has roles in production, coaching, events, marketing and more. Work out whether you mainly enjoy competing, talking on camera, organising things, or doing creative/digital work.
Player
Competing professionally in one title
- •Exceptional skill in one game (top 0.1% rank)
- •Ability to perform under tournament pressure
- •Team communication and coordination
- •Dedication to 8+ hours daily practice
Grind ranked ladders, enter FACEIT/ESL tournaments, join amateur teams, get scouted
£0-£50k+ (varies hugely by tier and game)
Caster / Host / Analyst
On-air talent for broadcasts and events
- •Deep game knowledge of your title
- •Strong public speaking skills
- •On-camera presence and confidence
- •Ability to think quickly under pressure
Cast amateur tournaments, build showreel, volunteer at events, network with production teams
£25k-£70k+ (top talent earn significantly more)
Coach / Analyst
Training and developing players and teams
- •Strategic understanding of the game
- •VOD review and analysis skills
- •Communication and player management
- •High rank helpful but not required
Coach amateur/university teams, create analysis content, build track record of player improvement
£25k-£80k+ (varies by tier)
Event / Tournament Operations
Running competitions and live events
- •Logistics and organisation skills
- •Knowledge of game rules and formats
- •Problem-solving under pressure
- •Admin/referee experience helpful
Admin online tournaments on Battlefy/Challonge, volunteer at LANs, run community events
£22k-£55k+
Marketing / Social Media
Building brands and engaging communities
- •Understanding of esports culture and communities
- •Social media management experience
- •Content creation and copywriting
- •Data analysis for campaigns
Manage socials for amateur orgs, freelance for the scene, build portfolio of campaigns
£28k-£65k+
Production / Broadcast
Technical side of esports broadcasts
- •Knowledge of OBS, vMix, or similar
- •Understanding of broadcast workflows
- •Technical troubleshooting ability
- •Ability to work long event hours
Learn OBS/streaming software, volunteer at events, offer production help to amateur streams
£25k-£60k+
Step 2: Build Skills and Track Record
For players, you need exceptional skill plus evidence you can perform in pressure matches. For non-player roles, build a portfolio: cast community tournaments, help run brackets, or produce content for a local team.
For Players
For Non-Player Roles
- →Cast community tournaments to build a showreel
- →Help run brackets on Challonge or Battlefy
- →Produce graphics and social media for a local team
- →Learn industry tools: OBS, Premiere, Photoshop, Discord
Step 3: Use UK-Specific Pathways
The UK has formal routes into esports through education and the national federation. These are useful if you're already in or considering education; otherwise you can still attend their open events and tournaments.
British Esports Federation
https://britishesports.org →- •Student Champs - school and college esports competitions
- •Volunteering opportunities at grassroots events
- •Career resources and industry connections
- •National Championships pathway
UK Esports University Courses
- Staffordshire University
Esports BA (Hons) • Stoke-on-Trent - University of Chichester
Esports BA (Hons) • Chichester - University of Salford
Esports Enterprise & Management • Manchester - Northampton University
Esports BSc • Northampton - Confetti Institute
Esports Production Diploma • Nottingham
BTEC/College Qualifications
- ✓BTEC Level 3 National in Esports
- ✓BTEC Level 2 in Esports
- ✓T Level Digital Production, Design and Development
These cover team management, event production, broadcasting and marketing.
Entry-Level Esports Jobs
View all entry-level →Esports Marketing Collaborator (Video Editing)
Esports Assistant Coach
Assistant Esports Coach
Perfect for those starting their esports career. No extensive experience required.
Step 4: Get Real Experience and Network
Actual event and team experience matters more than saying you like esports. In the UK scene, you can volunteer, help amateur teams, and attend events to build connections.
Ways to Get Experience
- →Volunteer as admin/referee, event runner, or broadcast assistant at grassroots events
- →Attend UK LANs: Insomnia Gaming Festival, EGX, local LANs
- →Help start or manage an amateur team: organise scrims, social channels, sponsors
- →Join university esports societies even before enrolling
Build Your Esports CV
Keep a simple CV with links to:
- •Your Liquipedia/FACEIT/Tracker profile
- •VODs of your gameplay or casting
- •Events you've helped run
- •Any relevant qualifications
- •Social media/content you've created
Concrete Next Steps
Actions you can take immediately to start your esports career journey in the UK.
Choose your primary game/title
Pick ONE game and commit to it. Esports is title-specific - generalists struggle to break in.
Enter weekly online tournaments
Sign up for FACEIT, ESL Play, or Battlefy and compete regularly. Build a match history.
Join UK esports Discord communities
Find servers for your game, university esports groups, and British Esports channels.
Create/update your esports CV
Include: game ranks, tournament results, VOD links, events volunteered, relevant qualifications.
Research UK esports courses
If considering education route, check Staffordshire, Chichester, Salford, or BTEC Esports programmes.
Volunteer at a local event
Look for opportunities at Insomnia Gaming Festival, EGX, or local LAN events.
Esports Jobs Currently Hiring in the UK
View all jobs →
Esports & Partnership Marketing Manager
Account Director (eSports, APAC)
Esports Video Producer
Esports Marketing Collaborator (Video Editing)
These positions are actively hiring. Apply directly through our job board.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an esports job in the UK?+
Do I need a degree to work in esports?+
Do I need to be a good player to work in esports?+
What's the best way to network in UK esports?+
Can I work in esports remotely from outside London?+
Should I work for free to get started?+
What esports organisations are based in the UK?+
What's the average esports salary in the UK?+
Ready to Start Your Esports Career?
Browse current UK esports jobs or explore specific career paths to find your way in.