If you're exploring esports for your school or youth organization, you probably have a lot of questions.
That's a good thing.
Choosing an esports provider isn't just about comparing features. You need to understand what students will experience, what educators will be responsible for, and how the program supports your organization's broader goals.
Here are seven questions worth asking before making a decision.
Start with the basics.
What will students actually do when they show up?
At EGL, for example, we offer two primary programs.
The EGL League is our competitive esports and STEM career-exploration program for students in grades three and up. Students participate in structured video game competitions while also exploring careers in gaming, technology, AI, and related fields.
EGL Academy+ is our curriculum-focused program, primarily designed for middle and high school students. It combines career exploration, skill development, and certifications, providing opportunities to develop practical skills in areas such as coding and technology.
Gaming may get students through the door, but ask what happens after that.
What skills will they develop? What relationships can they build? What careers will they discover?
One particularly powerful opportunity is belonging.
In a 2025 study involving approximately 1,100 Albuquerque Public Schools students, only 17% reported feeling totally connected to their school before participating in esports. After participating, that figure increased to 50%.
Additionally, 70.8% reported that esports helped them make and maintain friendships, and more than half said it helped build their confidence.
Those outcomes illustrate why structured esports can be about much more than competition.
This is one of the most important questions you can ask.
Find out who needs to run the program, how much time they'll need, what they need to know, and what responsibilities the provider will handle.
An educator shouldn't receive login credentials and then be left alone.
Ask about onboarding, platform training, live training, and professional development.
EGL provides both platform-based and live training opportunities so educators can understand not only the technology, but also how to create a successful student experience.
Support shouldn't end when a contract is signed.
Ask how ongoing support works throughout the school year and whether you'll have access to people who can help troubleshoot challenges.
Students already love gaming.
Schools have an opportunity to use that engagement to introduce students to skills and careers they may never have considered otherwise.
Ask whether the program intentionally creates those connections.
You may want to start small.
That's fine.
But what happens when 20 students become 100? What happens when one school becomes five—or an entire district?
Look for a provider capable of evolving alongside your organization.
You don't need to become an esports expert before launching a program.
You need a partner willing to help you understand the process.
At EGL, we're not simply handing educators a product and expecting them to figure it out. Our role is to help partners build programs that work for their students, staff, schedules, and goals.
Before choosing a provider, ask questions.
And pay close attention to who is willing to help you answer them.