How to Start an Esports Club at School

A Complete Guide for Students, Parents, Teachers & Administrators

Table of Contents

• Why Esports Belongs in Schools
• For Students: How to Start an Esports Club
• For Parents: Supporting Your Student Gamer
• For Teachers: Building Esports into Education
• For Administrators: Creating a Schoolwide Esports Organization
• Equipment, Budget, and Setup Tips
• Choosing Games for Your School Esport Club
• The Future of School Esports Clubs
• Next Steps

Why Esports Belongs in Schools

Esports has evolved from weekend tournaments into a $1.6-billion global industry, and schools are realizing that it’s not just entertainment, it’s education in motion.

Across North America, thousands of schools are forming esports clubs and school esports organizations to engage students, strengthen STEM pathways, and build community.

When done right, esports becomes a bridge between academic learning and real-world skills like teamwork, strategy, and leadership.

“We’ve seen students who never joined a club before suddenly take on leadership roles. Esports gave them a community and a reason to show up.”
- EGL Partner School Coach, North Carolina

For Students: How to Start an Esports Club

Starting a school esports club can sound intimidating, but you already have the most important ingredient: passion. With some organization and persistence, you can turn that enthusiasm into an official program.

Step 1: Rally Your Players

Start small; a group of six to ten interested gamers is plenty. Ask classmates what games they play and whether they’d want to compete or play casually.

Use a quick Google Form or Discord survey to collect names, preferred games, and availability.

Step 2: Find a Faculty Sponsor

Most schools require a teacher advisor for new clubs. Look for a teacher who’s open to technology, teamwork, or extracurricular leadership.

“We want to start an esports club that helps students collaborate and learn through gaming. Would you be willing to sponsor us?”

Step 3: Write a Short Proposal

Your administration will appreciate structure. Include:

• Purpose: To promote teamwork, leadership, and STEM learning through esports.
• Requirements: Computers, headsets, and a faculty sponsor.
• Safety: Using a platform like EliteGamingLIVE for secure, school-safe competition.
• Goals: Participate in one competitive season this year.

Step 4: Form a Leadership Team

Choose officers, president, vice president, coach, and media lead to distribute responsibility and foster accountability.

Step 5: Market Your Club

Use posters, social media, and morning announcements. Promote it as more than gaming, emphasize teamwork, inclusion, and technology skills.

Step 6: Join a League

When you register your school with EliteGamingLIVE (EGL), you gain access to structured, school-only competitions with built-in safety, moderation, and STEM-aligned learning modules.

💡 Pro Tip: EGL helps schools of all sizes get started, from elementary after-school programs to full high-school leagues.

Skip on ahead to: Equipment, Budget, and Setup Tips

For Parents: Supporting Your Student Gamer

When your child says, “I want to start an esports club,” it’s natural to wonder if that means more screen time. But modern esports programs, especially those built around EGL, are designed for growth, not distraction.

Why Esports Matters for Your Child

• STEM Integration: Games connect directly to science, math, and coding.
• Teamwork & Leadership: Students learn collaboration and responsibility.
• Scholarship Pathways: Over 200 colleges now recruit esports players.
• Community: Every student, athletic or not, can belong somewhere.

Common Questions

“Is it safe?”
Yes. EGL leagues are moderated and designed for schools.

“Will it affect academics?”
Actually, schools report the opposite: students who participate often show better grades and attendance.

“How much does it cost?”
EGL programs are affordable for schools, typically a few thousand dollars per year, but the benefits last far longer.

How Parents Can Help

• Advocate with teachers or administrators to explore esports as an academic enrichment tool.
• Volunteer during tournaments or help fundraise for new equipment.
• Celebrate your student’s accomplishments, whether it’s a match win or leadership growth.

🏆 “Before esports, my son dreaded school. Now he’s captain of his team and wants to study computer science.”, Parent, EGL League School

Skip on ahead to: Equipment, Budget, and Setup Tips

For Teachers: Building Esports into Education

Teachers are the cornerstone of every successful esports club. You don’t need to be a gamer, you just need curiosity and a desire to connect learning to modern life.

How Esports Enhances Learning

• STEM: Coding, strategy, and system design appear in every game.
• ELA: Students analyze narratives, write guides, and produce commentary.
• Math: Resource optimization and probability are natural fits.
• Social-Emotional Learning: Students practice empathy, focus, and conflict resolution.

Starting Steps for Teachers

1. Identify interested students; often, they’re already gaming together informally.
2. Approach administration with a structured plan.
3. Partner with EGL for turnkey league management and support.
4. Incorporate reflection: after matches, discuss teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Teacher Takeaway

Running an esports club is a chance to connect learning to passion. It turns gaming into mentorship, and mentorship into measurable growth.

💬 “When we introduced EGL to our school, engagement skyrocketed. Even students who struggled academically started showing up early.”, Middle School Teacher, Florida

Skip on ahead to: Equipment, Budget, and Setup Tips

For Administrators: Creating a Schoolwide Esports Organization

For administrators, esports is more than a club; it’s a new layer of student engagement that supports your district’s academic and social-emotional goals.

Why Schools Choose Esports

• Engagement & Attendance: Schools with esports see measurable improvement in attendance and participation.
• Positive PR: Esports signals innovation to parents and media.
• Career Readiness: Students gain exposure to IT, broadcasting, and marketing.
• Inclusivity: Every student can contribute, regardless of athletic ability.

Implementation Roadmap

1. Identify staff champions.
2. Assess available equipment.
3. Start with one school esports club as a pilot.
4. Partner with EliteGamingLIVE for structure, safety, and scheduling.
5. Review results and expand district-wide.

Budgeting for Esports

Most schools find they can run an effective program for a few thousand dollars annually, including competition access, platform support, and curriculum integration.

That’s significantly less than starting a new athletic program, and the return in engagement and school spirit is immediate.

🎯 “We invested a few thousand dollars in EGL, and the impact was visible within months: higher attendance, happier students, and national recognition.”, Principal, South Carolina

Equipment, Budget, and Setup Tips

You don’t need a high-end arena to start an esports program. EGL’s model works with what schools already have.

Minimum Setup

• 6 Gaming PCs or Laptops: Mid-range GPUs like GTX 1660 or better.
• Headsets & Mics: Communication is everything.
• Reliable Internet: Hard-wired where possible.
• Room or Lab Space: Any supervised environment works.

Funding Ideas

• PTA or Booster Club support
• Local business sponsorships
• Small education technology grants
• Fundraisers hosted by students

💡 Tip: Highlight esports as a STEM engagement tool when applying for grants, it attracts more funding than recreation-only programs.

Choosing Games for Your School Esports Club

Choosing the right titles keeps your program inclusive and educational.

Popular EGL-Supported Games

Safety First

EGL provides a controlled, school-only environment, with no open online matchmaking or unmoderated chats. That means students can compete confidently, and schools can rest easy.

The Future of School Esports Clubs

As schools continue to modernize, esports is becoming as common as chess or robotics clubs. Around the world, esports club programs are recognized for fostering 21st-century skills, and EGL is helping North American schools lead that movement.

Beyond Gaming: Esports as Education

Tomorrow’s esports programs will include:

• Broadcasting and production training
• Graphic design and branding projects
• Game development and analytics
• Entrepreneurship and event planning

Global Inspiration

Countries like South Korea and Finland have already integrated esports into formal education. EGL’s structured, curriculum-supported approach gives U.S. and Canadian schools the same opportunity, with a clear academic foundation.

🌟 “Esports isn’t about screens, it’s about connection, confidence, and community.”, EGL Coach Mentor

Next Steps

Whether you’re a student leader, teacher sponsor, parent advocate, or administrator, your school can start an esports program within months.

1. Students: Gather interest and find a faculty sponsor.
2. Teachers: Contact EGL to explore resources and league registration.
3. Administrators: Budget for an annual program investment that fits within extracurricular funding.
4. Parents: Encourage your school to join the movement.

Final Thoughts

Whether you call it an esports club, an esport club, or a full school esports organization, the goal is the same, to connect learning and leadership through gaming.

With EGL, schools get a safe, structured, and education-aligned esports experience that improves engagement, builds confidence, and fosters real-world skills, all for a predictable annual cost.

So don’t wait for the future of education. Build it, one match, one team, one student at a time.

👉 Learn more and register your school with EliteGamingLIVE
Or Book a Call below