eSports

Revealed: What does it take to become an esports star?

Published

6 years ago

September 14, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Johan Sundstein aka ‘N0tail’ is the top-ranking esports player of 2020, with $6.9 million in prize money to his name
The average age of a top-ranking esports player is 24 for male players and 27 for female
Popular streaming sites have experienced a 20% increase in the number of hours streamed in lockdown

Esports have accelerated into the mainstream in recent years, providing many avid gamers with the opportunity to turn their passion into a career. And with prize funds reaching the millions, being on top of your game certainly pays off. So, what does it take to make it big in esports and how has the industry evolved? Intel explored the ins and outs of the growing esports world.

The making of an esports star

The most top-ranking male players of 2020 are from China (26%), and the most top-ranking female players are from the USA (42%)
Physical health must also be a priority when training for esports, as well as in-game performance

As an avid gamer, what would it take to break into the esports industry and what exactly does an esports star look like today?

Based on the 100 top-ranking male and female esports players of 2020, the average age is 24 for male players and 27 for female. Some are even as young as 16, demonstrating that progression is very possible at a young age.

To climb the ranks, players must be committed to perfecting their game and putting in the necessary training, both in-game and physically. Professionals specialise in one or two games, focusing their time and energy on perfecting their performance.

“The best game to get into when moving into professional gaming or streaming is something you actually enjoy,” explains Chris Ball aka ‘Sacriel’. “It’s clear to see when a streamer is forcing themselves to play a type of game they don’t enjoy just because they feel a ‘big’ game is their only option – so instead find something that you can be passionate about.”

Healthy eating and a good night’s sleep are also recommended for optimal performance.

Esports host, Frankie Ward says “Esports teams are beginning to bring their routines in line with more traditional sports. Counter-Strike team Astralis, for example, has a coach, sports psychologist, and a physiotherapist. They also have a nutritionist and a sleep doctor that they can access, should they need extra help.”

Aoife Wilson, Head of Video at Eurogamer also stresses the importance of physical health, adding that players should “make physical training a priority alongside in-game training, which can not only help with focus and mindset, but in preventing strain or injuries that can come with sitting at your computer for prolonged periods of time.”

The esports industry in 2020

The industry, which is currently worth $1.1 billion in 2020, is projected to be worth $1.8 billion by 2022
The top competing countries are the USA, China and The Republic of Korea

Esports have come a long way since their conception – from ‘Spacewar’ played on the first ever computer to ‘Dota 2’, best enjoyed on a specialist gaming PC. So, what does the industry look like in 2020?

Today esports have the potential to fill huge arenas with thousands of fans. Not to mention the additional at-home audience watching live competitions streamed online. The Intel® Extreme Masters, held in Katowice in 2017, was one of the largest esports events in history, with a live attendance of 173,000 and viewership of 46 million.

While many live 2020 esports events were forced to cancel in response to the coronavirus pandemic, some went ahead in a virtual format. In fact, popular streaming sites such as Twitch and YouTube experienced a 20% increase in the number of hours streamed in lockdown, suggesting gaming provided solace to many throughout quarantine.

The esports industry has grown by epic proportions in recent years. Over the last five years, revenue has tripled from $325M to $1.1 billion and audience size has quadrupled from 120M to 495M. What’s more, the industry is projected to be worth a huge $1.8 billion by 2022.

While the esports world is very much a global playing field, with players hailing from all around the globe, the top competing countries are the USA, China and The Republic of Korea. 2019 winnings totalled $41.3 million, $18.5 million and $16.5 million for the respective nations.

Streamer Chris Ball aka ‘Sacriel’ says, “as the technical limits on game engines get pushed further and further back with breakthroughs in computing prowess, I think esports and streaming is going to become more mainstream and I look forward to what the new technology brings us.”

You can view the full list of those make it to the top in the eSport industry here.

eSports

Esports World Cup Takes Over Paris For 2026 with Star-Studded Opening Ceremony

Published

4 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-world-cup-takes-over-paris-for-2026-with-star-studded-opening-ceremony

The Esports World Cup 2026 officially kicked off in Paris, France, with a grand Opening Ceremony at La Seine Musicale, welcoming the world’s best players, leading esports Clubs, publishers, partners, creators and fans to the first international edition of the world’s largest esports and gaming event.

Combining music, cinematic storytelling, competition and Parisian culture, the ceremony marked the beginning of seven weeks of competition that will bring together more than 2,000 players, 200 clubs, and representatives from over 100 countries competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for a record-breaking $75 million prize pool.

From the first moments of the show, the ceremony celebrated the journey that brings players to the Esports World Cup 2026 while introducing Paris as the host city for a new chapter in the competition’s history. Live performances from Aya Nakamura, Theodora, DJ Snake and Mosimann were woven throughout a production that combined orchestral music, dance, augmented reality, large-scale stage design and cinematic visuals to connect esports with the culture of its host city.

One of the defining moments of the evening saw the Esports World Cup Club Championship trophy revealed before representatives from the world’s leading esports Clubs took to the stage, signalling the start of the race to become the world’s best.

The evening opened with an esports-focused pre-show hosted by Doigby before transitioning into the Opening Ceremony, which was designed for both the live audience at La Seine Musicale and millions watching around the world. DJ Snake closed the global broadcast before continuing with an extended live performance, followed by a closing set from Mosimann for the audience in Paris.

“The Opening Ceremony is our welcome to the world – that our historic event is open,” said Mike McCabe, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer at the Esports Foundation. “As we bring EWC 2026 to Paris for the first time, we wanted to celebrate the city through artists who have helped shape music and culture in France today. Aya Nakamura, DJ Snake, and Theodora each represent something different, but together they reflect the creativity and influence that make Paris such a special place to host this event.”

Known for building a sizable global following through her distinctive combination of R&B, Afrobeats, zouk, and contemporary French pop, Aya Nakamura showcased to the crowd a stunning performance that embodied the wide-reaching spirit of the Esports World Cup.

As France’s top export artist and a dominant force on the global music scene, multi-platinum superstar Aya Nakamura boasts over 9 billion streams and countless charts. She delivered a stunning performance of her global hit “Copines” that perfectly embodied the wide-reaching spirit of the Esports World Cup.

Emerging from the Paris underground electronic scene to working with the biggest names in music such as Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Pitbull, DJ Snake has evolved to become one of the pioneers of modern global record production.

France’s rising star Theodora, or ‘Miss Kitoko’ now, has emerged as one of the country’s breakout artists of a new generation. With millions of streams on her music, she blends rap, pop, and club music with the sensibilities of an always-online generation, harnessing a digital-native and fearless ambition that shines through her performances.

DJ, record producer, and live artist Mosimann is one of the hottest names in electronic music right now, and the Swiss-born French national delivered a thrilling closing set for the live crowd in Paris. His viral Dream Track series has seen over 280 million views worldwide and has evolved into a string of official releases and his own Dream Tour. With a debut residency in Ibiza this summer, along with sets at Tomorrowland later this month in Belgium, Mosimann brought an electrifying finish to the Opening Ceremony.

Throughout the ceremony, audiences also heard the EWC 2026 Orchestral Anthem, created in collaboration with 2WEI Music and Hollywood Scoring. Written as the musical identity of this year’s tournament, the anthem accompanies the journey of players and fans throughout the competition, from qualification to championship, and features throughout the Opening Ceremony and tournament broadcast.

With the opening ceremony now complete, the world’s attention now turns to the competition at the heart of the EWC. Fixtures featuring the world’s best players in the biggest competitive titles will unfold daily across multiple arenas throughout the French capital. Clubs compete for the ultimate prize in all of esports: the Esports World Cup Club Championship.

The post Esports World Cup Takes Over Paris For 2026 with Star-Studded Opening Ceremony appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Esports World Cup 2026 opens in Paris with $75m prize pool

Published

2 days ago

July 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-world-cup-2026-opens-in-paris-with-$75m-prize-pool

Seven-week event runs through August 23 with 2,000 players, 200 clubs and 25 tournaments across 24 games at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

The Esports Foundation has opened the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, marking the first international edition of the event. The tournament runs through August 23 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and will feature more than 2,000 players and 200 esports Clubs from over 100 countries competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for a $75 million prize pool.

Organisers said the Paris finals follow the largest “Road to EWC” qualification programme to date, with more than 1.5 million players participating across 330 qualifying events spanning tournaments, publisher leagues and international circuits.

The opening press conference took place at the Hôtel de Ville with opening remarks by Emmanuel Grégoire, the Mayor of the City of Paris.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, said: “Competitive gaming has always had great players, great games and unforgettable champions. The Esports World Cup brings them together in one defining annual stage. For seven weeks in Paris, every title crowns its own winner, but every result also contributes to a bigger race: the Club Championship. That is what makes EWC different. It rewards not only individual brilliance, but the depth, consistency and ambition of an entire Club.”

The Esports Foundation said Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen return as Esports World Cup Global Ambassadors. The event’s Club Championship will distribute $30 million of the overall prize pool, including $7 million for the winning Club, with Team Falcons aiming to defend its title after wins in 2024 and 2025.

On distribution, the organiser said EWC 2026 will be available in 160 countries via more than 100 broadcast and OTT partners, with more than 7,000 hours of live programming planned and coverage in over 40 languages. The Esports Foundation also said it expects up to 5,000 official co-streamers via its Creator Program, which it described as up 42% year-on-year.

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Astana

Astana to host IESF World Esports Championship 2027

Published

1 week ago

July 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

astana-to-host-iesf-world-esports-championship-2027

IESF signs host agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Qazaq Cybersport Federation in Astana.

Astana has been confirmed as the host city for the IESF World Esports Championship 2027 (WEC27), following a host agreement signing ceremony involving the International Esports Federation (IESF), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Qazaq Cybersport Federation.

IESF said the event is expected to draw participation across more than 150 IESF Member Federations through the qualifiers, with national teams competing via IESF-recognized national member structures.

“WEC27 will be more than a championship. It will be a global celebration of nations, athletes, and the future of esports,” said Vlad Marinescu, President of IESF. “For every player, there is no greater honor than competing under their national flag and officially representing their nation on the world stage. That is what makes the World Esports Championship so powerful and so unique. In 2027, Astana will welcome the world and proudly stand as the Esports Capital in the World of Esports, uniting our Member Federations, athletes, fans, and communities. Kazakhstan has shown remarkable vision, ambition, and commitment, and we are confident that WEC27 will deliver an unforgettable championship and a lasting legacy for the global esports family.”

Yerbol Myrzabosynov, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said: “We are honored that the International Esports Federation has entrusted Kazakhstan with hosting the World Esports Championship 2027. This reflects the confidence in our country’s ability to deliver an event of the highest international standard. Hosting WEC27 reinforces our commitment to advancing esports and creating new opportunities for young people through sport, technology, education, and international cooperation. We look forward to welcoming the World of Esports to Astana and showcasing Kazakhstan as a destination capable of delivering world-class international events.”

Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qazaq Cybersport Federation, added: “We sincerely thank the International Esports Federation for the trust and confidence placed in Kazakhstan to host the World Esports Championship 2027. This is a historic milestone for our esports community and a testament to the progress we have achieved together with our partners. Alongside IESF, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and our national stakeholders, we are committed to delivering an outstanding championship for athletes, fans, and the World of Esports. WEC27 will inspire future generations, accelerate the growth of esports in Kazakhstan, and strengthen our country’s position as a leading esports and digital innovation hub.”

IESF said more details, including schedule, qualification pathway, venues, official titles, ticketing, and the event program, will be announced in the coming months via its official channels.

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