From €115K to $1 Million: The Wild Range of Esports Salaries in 2025

Esports has evolved far beyond its roots as a competitive hobby. In 2025, it’s a full-time career for thousands of players worldwide—and for some, an extremely lucrative one. But just how much money are esports professionals making today?

The answer depends on several factors: the game they play, the region they compete in, and the level they’ve reached. From rookies just breaking in to global stars with massive followings, here’s what esports earnings look like in 2025.

Esports Salaries in 2025: Ranging From Modest to Massive

At the entry level, salaries are already impressive. In League of Legends’ LEC, new players are reportedly earning around €115,000 per year. The average salary in the league sits at approximately €240,000, while the median is closer to €165,000—indicating a few high earners are pulling up the average.

In North American VALORANT, tier-one players are seeing salaries between $35,000 and $40,000 per month. In Europe, that figure drops to around $10,000–$12,000 monthly, with top players earning up to $25,000.

Meanwhile, tier-one Counter-Strike teams are spending up to $240,000 per month in combined player salaries—making CS one of the most expensive esports scenes globally.

And these are just base salaries. Esports player income often includes performance bonuses, media appearances, and roster incentives, adding significant value to contracts. Depending on the organization, players may also benefit from content creation deals or promotional appearances.

Prize Money Still Plays a Huge Role

Prize pools continue to be a defining feature of esports income—especially in titles like Dota 2. While Dota’s prize dominance remains strong, 2025 brought a twist: the highest-paid player of the past year was actually a Street Fighter 6 competitor. Kakeru took the top spot with over $1 million in tournament winnings, surpassing even Dota 2’s highest earners.

That said, Dota 2 still dominates the leaderboard overall, thanks to massive tournaments like The International. In 2021, TI’s prize pool hit $40 million, and while more recent pools have been smaller, they still ensure that top-tier players earn well into six or seven figures annually.

Importantly, prize money usually goes to teams first, not directly to players. Most contracts include a revenue split—commonly 80% to players, 20% to the org—though in some cases, players may keep 100% of their winnings depending on the agreement.

Digital Skin Sales: A Growing Revenue Stream

Skins are no longer just cosmetics—they’re cash. In 2025, several top-tier games are integrating revenue-sharing programs tied to in-game content.

VALORANT is leading the charge. In 2024, Riot Games distributed $78 million to partnered teams, with $44.3 million coming specifically from bundle and skin sales. Champions Bundles and Team Capsules have become a major source of income for VCT orgs.

League of Legends is following suit. Riot’s Global Revenue Pool plan now allocates 50% of digital content earnings to teams in the LEC, LCS, and LCK. Of that total, 35% is based on performance in competition, while 15% is tied to popularity—rewarding orgs that engage fans and build strong brands.

Rainbow Six Siege also runs a program called R6 SHARE, where Tier 1 teams like Elevate and DarkZero earn 50% of the revenue from their branded items.

Personal Sponsorships & Brand Deals

Even when signed to major organizations, esports players are increasingly landing individual sponsorships—a trend that gives them more financial independence and brand identity.

In 2025, Alexia “Lexi” Brown, a player and content creator with Northwood Esports, became a brand ambassador for CORSAIR. This kind of deal typically includes product promotion, sponsored content, and appearances—offering players additional income and visibility.

Brands are also backing broader efforts in esports. For example, Team Vitality renewed its partnership with ALDI and launched campaigns aimed at tackling toxicity toward women in gaming.

Content Creation: A Legitimate Career Shift

For many pros, content creation is no longer a side hustle—it’s the main gig. Streaming and video content offer steady revenue through platforms like Twitch and YouTube, where players earn money via ads, subs, donations, and brand partnerships.

Some of the most successful transitions include:

• TenZ, who stepped back from competition and now streams VALORANT to over 4.3 million Twitch followers.
  
  
• Shroud, once a CS:GO legend, now a household name in streaming with over 11 million followers.
  
  
• Beaulo, who retired from Rainbow Six Siege and built a huge streaming audience.
  
  
• Faker, still active with T1, streams to nearly 4 million fans alongside his competitive play.
  
  
• Clix, a Fortnite star who’s now co-owner of XSET and streams to more than 8 million fans.
  
  

These players earn not just from viewers, but from sponsored streams, merch drops, and affiliate deals. It’s a business—and they’re running it.

Merchandise Sales & Personal Brands

With strong fanbases, some players have launched their own clothing lines or partnered with their orgs to drop custom merchandise.

Rekkles, the iconic LoL pro, has his own store selling hoodies and apparel. Clix, through XSET, has helped design and promote multiple merch collections that speak directly to his audience.

For players with large, loyal communities, merch is another powerful income stream—one that’s often overlooked when talking esports earnings.

The Bottom Line: Can You Really Make a Living in Esports?

Yes—if you’re good enough, marketable enough, and in the right game. While not every title or region pays equally, many esports players in 2025 are earning full-time salaries, supplemented by prize money, sponsorships, and digital content.

Some make six figures just from base pay. Others pull in even more through streaming, brand deals, and skin revenue. The path isn’t easy, but it’s clearer than ever that esports is no longer just a passion—it’s a profession.

FAQs

How much do esports players get paid?

It depends on the game and skill level. Entry-level pros in titles like League of Legends might start at €115,000 annually. Top-tier players in games like VALORANT can make over $35,000 a month.

Who is the highest-paid esports player in 2025?

As of May 2025, the top earner is Kakeru, a Street Fighter 6 player, who made just over $1 million in tournament winnings over the past year.

Can you make a living off esports?

Absolutely. While only a small percentage reach superstar levels, many players in established leagues earn enough to pursue esports as a full-time career.

Do esports jobs pay well?

At the top? Yes. Between salaries, prize money, sponsorships, and content revenue, top players in North America and Europe can earn six figures or more annually.

How much money can you make in esports?

There’s no ceiling—top pros make millions between contracts, prize pools, and their personal brands. But even mid-level players in big titles can earn a stable, full-time income.