How to Start an Esports Team: A Comprehensive Guide
Esports has grown into a global sensation, with millions of fans, lucrative tournaments, and endless opportunities for aspiring players and organizers. Starting your own esports team can be an exciting and rewarding venture, but it comes with its challenges. Whether you’re building a team from scratch or looking to bring professional players together, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Along the way, we’ll explore vital topics like how to build an esports team for free, how to register your team, and even if esports teams are profitable.
1. How to Build an Esports Team
Starting an esports team begins with identifying your vision and goals. Do you want to compete in specific games such as Valorant or Fortnite? Or are you aiming to create a community-driven team for casual and semi-professional players?
Key Steps to Building an Esports Team
- Choose Your Focus Game(s): First, decide which games your team will compete in. Popular competitive titles include Valorant, League of Legends, Call of Duty, and Dota 2.
- Tip: Analyze game popularity and their esports scenes to ensure you’re gearing toward a sustainable title.
- Recruit Players: Look for talented and motivated individuals to join your team. Use platforms like GameTree or TeamFind to scout potential players who align with your team’s goals.
- Establish Team Roles: Assign clear positions for players such as in-game leaders, support players, analysts, and coaches.
- Create Branding and Identity: Design your team’s logo, choose a name, and establish a recognizable branding style. This is essential for attracting sponsors and gaining visibility.
- Develop a Practice Schedule: Regular practice times will improve team cohesion and individual performance.
- Set Goals: Establish short- and long-term goals, such as winning local tournaments, qualifying for regional championships, or attracting sponsors.
For those wondering how to build an esports team for free, relying on social media platforms for recruiting and promoting the team can minimize costs.
2. How to Start an Esports Team for Free
Creating a team doesn’t have to break the bank. While some esports ventures require substantial investments, there are ways to start small without compromising quality.
Budget-Friendly Steps
- Digital Networking: Use free social media platforms like Twitter, Discord, and Reddit to recruit players and build a fan base.
- Leverage Open-Source Tools: Design a logo with free platforms like Canva and use Google Drive for team organization instead of premium software.
- Participate in Free Tournaments: Many platforms, such as FaceIt and GameBattles, host no-cost tournaments where beginner teams can practice and gain visibility.
Keep in mind that building a professional esports team will eventually require funding for equipment, travel, and registration, but initial steps can cost little to nothing.
Before you take on a leadership role, it’s essential to understand what esports coaches do to guide and train players effectively.
3. How to Start an Esports Team in Middle School
Esports in schools is gaining momentum. For educators or students interested in starting an esports team, the setup differs slightly from professional teams.
Steps for Starting a Middle School Esports Team
- Get Administrative Approval: Before forming a team, gain support from school administrators and explain the benefits of esports, such as teamwork and strategic thinking.
- Choose Student-Friendly Games: Focus on games that are age-appropriate. Titles like Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. are excellent beginner-friendly options.
- Join School Esports Programs: Organizations like PlayVS and NAECAD provide resources for school-based esports teams and tournaments.
- Promote Inclusivity: Encourage participation from a diverse group of students and emphasize the educational benefits of teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Starting an esports team in middle school fosters essential skills while laying the foundation for future gaming careers.
4. How to Register an Esports Team
Official registration is essential if you want to compete in tournaments or establish your team legally.
Registration Process
- Select a Legal Entity Type: Decide if your esports team will operate as a business, nonprofit organization, or club.
- Choose a Name and Register it: Check the availability of your team’s name within your jurisdiction and register it accordingly.
- Sign Up for Competitions: Most tournaments require teams to register through platforms like Battlefy or Challonge.
- Tip: Keep track of tournament deadlines to ensure timely registration.
For official esports leagues, such as League of Legends’ LEC, your team may need additional qualifications, such as franchise fees or proof of competitive capability.
5. How to Make a Valorant Esports Team
Valorant has quickly become one of the most prominent games in competitive esports, with its emphasis on strategy, teamwork, and mechanical skill. Building a Valorant esports team follows many of the same principles as other games but with specific considerations for its unique gameplay.
Tips for Building a Valorant Team
- Focus on Composition: A successful Valorant team requires synergy. Recruit players who excel in different roles, such as Duelists, Sentinels, or Controllers.
- Join Valorant-Specific Communities: Use platforms like Valorant Zone to find players, scrims, and upcoming tournaments.
- Participate in Riot Games’ Tournaments: Riot’s official Valorant tournaments, such as the VCT, offer a professional pathway for aspiring teams.
Learning how to make a Valorant esports team involves not only technical skill but also finding players who share a united vision.
6. How to Join an Esports Team
For aspiring players, joining an esports team can be an excellent way to gain exposure and improve your skills.
Steps to Join an Esports Team
- Build Your Portfolio: Showcase your achievements, rank, and gameplay footage on streaming platforms like Twitch or YouTube.
- Engage in Networking: Join Discord servers, forums, and Reddit communities dedicated to the game you specialize in.
- Apply Online: Many teams post tryouts and application forms on platforms like EsportsEarnings. Large teams, such as FaZe Clan or Team Liquid, often hold recruitment events.
Understanding how to join an esports team starts with building visibility and connecting with the right people. Focus on improving your skill consistently.
7. How Much Does it Cost to Run an Esports Team?
Running an esports team incurs several costs that vary depending on the level of competition. On average, starting costs can range between $1,000 to $10,000 annually, depending on the size of the team and its goals.
Common Expenses
- Equipment and Gear: Gaming PCs, monitors, peripherals, and headsets can cost over $3,000 per player.
- Tournament Entry Fees: While local tournaments may be free or cheap, high-level competitions often require registration fees that can range from $50 to $1,000.
- Travel and Accommodation Costs: If your team travels for LAN tournaments, expenses can quickly add up.
- Marketing and Branding: Social media ads, merch designs, and promotions may cost $500+ annually.
By using free resources or focusing on regional competitions first, startups can dramatically lower the cost of getting an esports team off the ground.
8. Are Esports Teams Profitable?
The profitability of esports teams can be contentious. While some of the largest teams like TSM and Cloud9 generate millions annually, smaller teams often struggle to break even. According to Esports Earnings, revenue sources include sponsorships, tournament winnings, streaming, and branded merchandise.
Factors Affecting Profitability
- Sponsorships remain a major driver of revenue for teams like Fnatic and G2 Esports.
- Streaming content on platforms like Twitch can generate consistent income while building a fan base.
- Teams with exceptional branding often sell merchandise that accounts for 20-40% of their income.
However, profitability often takes time, and many teams run at a loss while building their reputation.
Building a successful team is a crucial step toward becoming a coach. Learn more in our guide on how to become a game coach in 2025 to position yourself as an expert leader.
Final Thoughts
Starting an esports team is an exhilarating process, whether you’re establishing one for fun, school competitions, or professional circuits. By learning how to build an esports team strategically, keeping costs down, and focusing on player development, you can create a solid foundation for success. While profitability may take time, the benefits of fostering community, developing talent, and competing on a global stage make the effort worthwhile.
