The eSports industry has been growing at a rapid pace over the last few years. We’re now seeing record numbers of gamers taking up eSports as a hobby, with the community expected to grow to 577.8 million players by 2024.

As more players turn their hands – or remotes – to this new type of online gaming, we have also seen a large increase in the number of eSports competitions appearing. These competitions give gamers the chance to prove their skills against other players and have the potential to win a significant amount of prize money for their hard work. If you want to keep updated on how you can enter and win some of these competitions, keep on reading.

Keep up to date with the latest gaming news

There are hundreds of blogs dedicated to the gaming industry out there that can act as your source of knowledge on all things eSports. Find a blog that you enjoy and bookmark it on your computer or mobile so you can be the first to know every time they release new articles. Thunderpick news from the esports world of competitions is a good place to start if you want to find out about upcoming competitions and get the lowdown on everything that has been on in previous tournaments, as well as a whole range of related eSports articles.

When you’re in an eSports competition, you’re likely going to be up against some of the best players in the world, so every little bit of knowledge you can get on the game is going to be useful. Make sure to read as much as you can, try out new tips, download any new updates, and practice as much as you can before you’re ready to enter.

Pick your sport

Picking the sport for your competition could mean the difference between winning a first-place medal or being at the bottom of the leaderboard. There are a lot of choices, so you should try and think about the games that you enjoy but are also really good at. After all, you’re going to be watching and playing this game a lot so you don’t want to choose one that you’ll get bored of after a few sessions.

Some of the biggest games in eSports are collectible card games (CCG), real-time strategy (RTS),  first-person shooters (FPS), and multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA).

Watch and follow as many competitions as you can

If you want to be a rising star in your favorite game, it’s best to learn from an example by watching and following along with other successful gamers. You can keep an eye on upcoming events on this eSports calendar which will tell you when the most popular competitions will be held.

Aside from watching the actual competitions, you should also follow content creators, find online gaming communities, and keep up to date with what commentators, gamers, and developers are doing on social media so you’re always in the loop.

The key is to try and integrate yourself into these gaming communities; there’s a wealth of knowledge out there that you can leverage in your own competitions so make an effort to explore as much as you can. You’d be surprised at how supportive the gaming industry is; it’s simple to make friends, find mentors, and explore a range of new gaming opportunities.

How to apply for eSports competitions

For the most part, eSports competitions are invite-only, which can make it very difficult for new gamers to get a spot. If you do want to get into some bigger competitions, one of the best things to do is play in a ranked mode online on your chosen game, climb up the leaderboard to make a name for yourself, and get yourself noticed.

It’s also possible to find smaller competitions that allow players of all levels to enter. They may not offer the biggest prizes to their champions, but it can be a good way to make a name for yourself in the eSports industry and work your way toward competing in the more prestigious tournaments.

There are plenty of tournaments, of all sizes, being held frequently throughout the year. While you’re still learning, try and apply for as many of these competitions as possible so that you can practice gameplay, understand how these competitions work, and hopefully come away with some impressive sums of prize money.

Final thoughts

eSports is an exciting way for avid gamers to test their skills in a competitive environment and win prize money for their hard work. Although it can be difficult to enter these competitions for beginners, if you’re able to study as much as you can, enter smaller competitions, and follow along with the latest gaming updates, you’ll be the next professional gamer in no time.