Former Minister of Sport Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and her successor Gil Avérous aim to position France as a leading nation in esports. The sector, which has grown significantly since the 1990s, generated €141 million in sales in 2022 and created over 1,000 full-time jobs. As esports clubs increasingly rely on sponsorship and content creation, new roles like team managers and mental trainers are emerging. Traditional skills from other industries are valued, indicating diverse pathways into the growing esports profession.
“Our goal is not just to excel as a sports nation, but also to establish ourselves as a powerhouse in esports.” This vision was articulated by Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the former Minister of Sport, during the introduction of the inaugural esport economic observatory to the government in March 2024. Her successor, Gil Avérous, has taken up this mission, stating, “I aim to transform France into a premier esport nation.” This ambition highlights the significant potential of the esport industry, especially as it continues to gain momentum, initially emerging in the 1990s and rapidly expanding since the early 2000s, largely due to the rise of platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Today, esports events regularly attract large audiences, with many thousands attending in person and even more streaming online.
For instance, the Major CS:Go (Counter Strike: Global Offensive), a popular multiplayer first-person shooter, drew nearly 50,000 fans to Bercy’s Accor Arena last year. It reached a peak of over 1.5 million online viewers, with the event’s organizers, Blast, estimating over 27 million euros in economic impact for Paris and its surroundings.
Over 1,000 Full-Time Jobs in Esports
The esport sector is experiencing remarkable growth, with total earnings for esports players reaching an impressive 141 million euros in 2022, according to the observatory launched in March. This figure represents a threefold increase compared to 2019. “It’s necessary to recognize that we’re no longer talking about an emerging sector,” notes Nicolas Besombes, a lecturer specializing in sports sociology at the Institut des sciences du sport-santé in Paris, who has studied digital sports practices for the last decade.
With increased revenues comes a surge in job creation. There were 1,017 full-time positions in esports by the end of 2022, including over 200 professional players—an increase of 56% since 2019, as per the esport economic observatory. Although the broader video game industry is facing challenges that might lead to layoffs in some companies, such as the French giant Ubisoft, “this is more of a recalibration after the rapid hiring during the COVID-19 boom,” explains Nicolas Borri, former development and operations director at Gentle Mates, an esports club founded by prominent YouTubers and streamers.
Despite the market being relatively small at present, there remains a pressing demand for talent in esports. “There are no roles that cannot be filled in the esports ecosystem,” emphasizes Besombes. Beyond professional gamers, a wealth of skilled individuals are essential behind the scenes. Roles at the club level include coaches, player managers, and agents. Additionally, a wide array of support positions exists, including event organizers, directors, cameramen, sound engineers, and commentators. Traditional business roles like lawyers, accountants, and HR managers are also vital.
Emerging Careers in Esports
As the sector evolves, new roles are surfacing to enhance the wellbeing of professional players. One such position is that of team manager, “who organizes players’ schedules while also serving in a psychological capacity,” notes Borri. This role is just beginning to be formalized; previously, these responsibilities often fell to the club’s CEO. Additionally, “Major clubs are increasingly hiring physical and mental trainers,” he adds, emphasizing that player health and wellbeing are crucial to team performance.
Most esports organizations still predominantly rely on sponsorship for their revenue streams, creating a heightened demand for individuals skilled in this area. The rise of influencer-led teams, such as Karmine Corp and Gentle Mates, has led to a growth in merchandise sales linked to these clubs. Consequently, the demand for content creators, community managers, and marketing professionals is expanding. “We currently see a significant need for sales and content creation roles in esports,” points out Borri. Alarmingly, 40% of organizations surveyed reported challenges in filling these positions.
Moreover, “80% of organizations hire external service providers,” revealing that a substantial number of professionals work as freelancers within the sector. In 2022, 29% of positions were contracted for service provision, while 57% of jobs recorded were permanent. “As sector demands mature, we expect employment types to stabilize,” observes Borri.
Pursuing Education for a Career in Esports
If you’re interested in joining the esports world, there are pathways available. “Specialized training programs in