How to Become an Esports Player? A Complete Guide

Esports is booming worldwide, and in recent years, the craze has reached India at full speed. Many young gamers now dream of becoming professional esports athletes, but the most common question is: What exactly is esports, and how can I become an esports player?

If you’re also looking to build a career in this field, this blog is for you. Here, you’ll learn:

What esports actually is
Why you should consider joining esports
The real purpose of esports
A step-by-step roadmap to start your journey
Pro tips to help you climb to the top

What is Esports?

Esports, short for “Electronic Sports,” is competitive gaming at a professional level. Unlike casual gaming, esports involves players competing against each other in official tournaments on platforms like mobile, PC, or console.

It’s no less than a traditional sport, you showcase your skills, participate in leagues, and even represent your country on an international stage.

In this blog, we’ll focus more on Free Fire, one of the most popular mobile games in India, but remember, these tips apply equally to other games like PUBG Mobile, Valorant, or Call of Duty.

Why Join Esports?

Building a career in esports has multiple benefits:

Name & Fame: A successful esports player gets recognition and respect.
Money: Big tournaments offer prize pools worth lakhs and even crores.
Brand Deals: Sponsorships and collaborations with top gaming brands.
Content Creation: Share your gaming journey on YouTube, Instagram, or Twitch and build another source of income.
Stable Career: With the right mindset and dedication, esports can become a long-term, rewarding profession.

The Purpose of Esports

The ultimate goal of esports is to represent your country on the international stage. Playing small third-party scrims or random paid tournaments won’t make you a Tier-1 (T1) player.

Your aim should always be to dominate your region, qualify for official events, and move towards Tier-1 esports competitions. That’s where the real recognition lies.

Basic Requirements to Become an Esports Player

Before you dive in, here are the essentials you’ll need:

1. A Good Device and Internet

Device: Gaming on low-end Android phones will hold you back. iPhones are considered the best choice because of their superior performance and stability. Yes, in some official tournaments, sponsored devices like the Samsung S24/S25 are used, but for practice and consistency, starting with an iPhone is highly recommended.
Internet: A stable, high-speed internet connection is a must. Lag can ruin your entire gameplay.

2. A Stable Team

Playing with friends for fun is okay, but esports requires a dedicated and professional squad. Your teammates should:

Share the same competitive mindset
Focus on improvement instead of ego clashes
Support each other during losses and practice

If your team constantly fights or doesn’t grow together, it’s better to move on and find players with a professional attitude.

3. Social Media Presence

Start sharing your journey on Instagram and YouTube. Upload your best clutches, highlights, or even raw gameplay. Professional editing is not mandatory in the beginning.

Being active on social media helps you build an audience, attract attention from organizations, and even get noticed by sponsors.

4. Age Requirement

For most official tournaments, you must be 16 years or older. Third-party tournaments may not always have this restriction, but for official esports leagues, age verification is mandatory.

How to Join Esports? The Roadmap

Here’s a step-by-step guide to kickstart your esports journey:

1. Understand the Tournament Structure

Every game has its official tournament calendar. Learn about the schedules, registration process, and qualification paths.

Focus on official events, that’s where your growth lies. Third-party events can be used for practice, but don’t waste too much time on paid scrims, as they add little value to your improvement.

2. Build a Professional Squad

If you don’t already have a team, find one through platforms like Discord. Many communities and servers post about squad trials and upcoming tournaments.

Learn how to register for events properly and build chemistry with your team.

3. Grind Smartly (Not Just Hard)

Playing long hours isn’t enough. Practice 3–4 hours of quality gameplay daily with proper focus.

After matches, sit with your squad on Discord or Google Meet
Review mistakes, discuss strategies, and improve together
Focus on “Play & Learn” rather than “Play & Repeat”

4. Stay Updated with the Meta

Esports constantly evolves. Every few months, the meta (Most Effective Tactics Available) changes, whether it’s new characters, weapons, or strategies.

If you can adapt to the meta faster than others, you gain a massive edge over competitors.

5. Follow the Community & Stay Active

Follow casters, pro players, and tournament organizers on Instagram, Twitter, and Discord.

This ensures you never miss out on:

Upcoming tournaments
Rule changes
Community discussions

Being updated is as important as practicing.

Pro Tips for Success in Esports

Avoid Politics: Don’t beg for slots or fall into community politics. Prove yourself through performance.
Don’t Chase Orgs: Many beginners think joining an organization is a shortcut to success. Wrong. First build your skill and results, orgs will naturally approach you.
Education Matters: Never ignore studies. At least secure a degree so you have a backup plan. This also boosts your confidence.
Strong Mindset: Esports is full of ups and downs. You may not always qualify, your team may break, or you may underperform. Don’t give up, consistency and patience are key.

Conclusion

Making a career in esports is not easy, but it’s definitely possible. With the right device, a dedicated squad, smart grinding, and awareness of the latest meta, you can rise to the Tier-1 level.

Most importantly, stay patient, stay focused, and never give up. The journey is tough, but the rewards are worth it.

Did you enjoy this blog? Drop a comment below and let me know what topic I should cover next!