What services does an esports production company provide?

Esports production companies provide comprehensive services including live event production, tournament broadcasting, streaming setup, broadcast graphics and overlays, observer and spectator systems, audio production, on-site technical crews, remote production capabilities, and post-production editing for highlights and content.

How much does esports production cost?

Esports production costs vary significantly based on scale. Small community tournaments may start from £1,000-£5,000, while mid-tier events range from £10,000-£50,000. Major professional tournaments with full broadcast production can cost £100,000 or more. Costs depend on crew size, equipment, venue, streaming platforms, and production complexity.

What equipment is needed for esports production?

Professional esports production requires streaming PCs and capture hardware, video switchers and mixers, broadcast cameras and PTZ systems, audio mixing consoles, graphics and overlay systems, networking infrastructure, monitor walls, observer stations, replay systems, and communication equipment for crew coordination.

Can esports events be produced remotely?

Yes, remote production has become increasingly common in esports. Using cloud-based tools, low-latency streaming, and distributed teams, professional broadcasts can be produced with talent and crew in different locations. This reduces costs while maintaining broadcast quality for online tournaments.

What games are most commonly produced for esports?

The most commonly produced esports titles include League of Legends, Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Fortnite, Rocket League, Overwatch 2, FIFA/EA Sports FC, Call of Duty, and fighting games like Street Fighter and Tekken. Each game has unique production requirements and spectator tools.

How do I hire an esports production team?

To hire an esports production team, reach out to agencies with your event details including game title, format, expected viewership, venue (or online), dates, and budget. Professional teams will provide proposals covering crew, equipment, streaming, graphics, and any additional services needed for your event.

What makes esports production different from traditional sports?

Esports production differs from traditional sports in several ways: the action happens on-screen rather than in physical space, requiring game observers rather than camera operators. Graphics and overlays are heavily integrated, multiple player perspectives must be managed, and production teams need deep game knowledge to capture key moments.

Esports Production Guide: Complete 2025 Handbook

Q: What is esports production?

Esports production encompasses all the technical and creative elements needed to broadcast competitive gaming events. This includes camera work, live streaming, graphics packages, observer systems, audio mixing, commentary, replay systems, and overall show direction. Professional esports production transforms gameplay into engaging entertainment.

Welcome to the definitive guide to esports production. Whether you're organising your first community tournament or scaling up to major arena events, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about creating professional competitive gaming broadcasts.

What is Esports Production?

Esports production is the art and science of transforming competitive gaming into professional broadcast entertainment. It encompasses all the technical and creative elements needed to present gameplay to viewers in an engaging, informative, and polished manner.

At its core, esports production includes:

Broadcasting: Live streaming gameplay to platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and custom destinations
Observation: Capturing the right moments and perspectives from within the game
Graphics: Overlays, lower thirds, scoreboards, and animated elements
Audio: Commentary, game sound, music, and crowd atmosphere
Direction: Orchestrating all elements into a cohesive viewer experience

The Evolution of Esports Production

The esports industry has grown from small LAN parties with basic screen captures to major arena productions rivaling traditional sports broadcasts. Today's viewers expect:

4K streaming quality
Multiple camera angles
Real-time statistics and analysis
Professional commentary teams
Instant replays and highlights
Polished graphics packages

Key Components of Esports Production

1. Broadcast Infrastructure

The technical foundation of any esports production includes:

Streaming Hardware

Encoding PCs with powerful CPUs and GPUs
Capture cards for game feeds (such as those from Elgato or Magewell)
Video switchers for multi-source production (Blackmagic Design ATEM series is popular)
Audio mixing consoles
Monitoring systems

Network Infrastructure

Dedicated internet connections with guaranteed bandwidth
Redundant connectivity for failover
Local network switches for crew communication
Content delivery network (CDN) integration

2. Observer and Spectator Systems

Professional observation is what separates amateur streams from broadcast-quality productions:

In-game observers who understand the game deeply and can anticipate action
Spectator tools specific to each esports title (see Liquipedia for game-specific resources)
POV management for player perspective feeds
Replay capture for instant replay capability

3. Graphics and Overlays

Visual elements that enhance the viewing experience:

Stream overlays and frames
Lower thirds for player/team information
Scoreboards and brackets
Transition animations
Sponsor integration
Social media feeds

4. Audio Production

Crystal-clear audio is essential:

Commentary desk setup
Game audio mixing
Crowd microphones (for live events)
Music and sting integration
Intercom systems for crew coordination

5. Talent and Commentary

The voices that bring the action to life:

Play-by-play casters
Colour commentators and analysts
Desk hosts and interviewers
On-location reporters

Production Roles and Responsibilities

Director

The director calls the shots, deciding which source goes to air, when to cut to replays, and how the overall show flows.

Technical Director

Manages all technical aspects including video routing, signal quality, and equipment operation.

Producer

Oversees the entire production, managing timelines, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring smooth operations.

Observer Lead

Coordinates the observer team to ensure comprehensive coverage of in-game action.

Graphics Operator

Triggers graphics, updates scoreboards, and manages all visual elements in real-time.

Audio Engineer

Balances all audio sources and ensures consistent sound quality throughout the broadcast.

Production Formats

Online Tournaments

Remote production has become increasingly sophisticated, allowing professional broadcasts without physical venues. Software like OBS Studio and vMix enable:

Cloud-based production workflows
Remote commentary from home studios
Distributed observer teams
Low-latency streaming integration

LAN Events

On-site productions at dedicated venues:

Full control over player setups
Live audience integration
Studio environments
Higher production complexity

Hybrid Productions

Combining on-site and remote elements:

On-location talent with remote production
Mixed online and offline player participation
Distributed crew operations

Planning Your Production

Pre-Production Checklist

Event Details

Tournament format and schedule
Game title and version
Number of matches per day
Broadcast hours required

Technical Requirements

Streaming platform specifications
Required resolution and bitrate
Backup streaming options
Recording requirements

Content Needs

Graphics package development
Music licensing
Sponsor obligations
Social media integration

Production Timeline

4+ Weeks Before

Finalise crew assignments
Begin graphics production
Confirm equipment list
Complete technical planning

2 Weeks Before

Conduct technical tests
Rehearse graphics and transitions
Train observers on specific game requirements
Test all streaming destinations

Day Before

Full technical rehearsal
Final equipment checks
Crew briefing
Backup system verification

Event Day

Early call time for setup
Sound checks and line tests
Final rehearsal
Go live!

Best Practices

Quality Standards

Test Everything: No assumptions—verify all systems before going live
Have Backups: Redundancy in critical systems prevents disasters
Communicate Clearly: Establish protocols for crew communication
Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adapt to unexpected situations
Focus on Viewers: Every decision should enhance the viewer experience

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Insufficient internet bandwidth
Inadequate testing time
Poor audio balance
Missing backup systems
Unclear crew roles

Conclusion

Professional esports production requires careful planning, skilled personnel, and appropriate technology. Whether you're starting small or producing major events, the fundamentals remain the same: capture great content, present it professionally, and always prioritise the viewer experience.

Ready to elevate your esports production? As a leading esports production company and esports production agency, we're here to help. Contact us for a consultation on your next event.