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.

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 Cost Guide 2025

Understanding the costs involved in esports production helps you plan effectively and get the best value for your event. This guide breaks down typical pricing across different production scales and services.

Production Cost Overview

Esports production costs vary significantly based on:

Event scale and duration
Production complexity
Crew size requirements
Equipment needs
Venue considerations
Streaming requirements

Quick Reference: Production Tiers

| Production Tier | Typical Cost Range | Best For | |-----------------|-------------------|----------| | Basic | £1,000 - £5,000 | Community tournaments, small online events | | Standard | £5,000 - £20,000 | Mid-size tournaments, weekly leagues | | Professional | £20,000 - £75,000 | Major online tournaments, small LAN events | | Premium | £75,000 - £200,000+ | Arena events, major championships (like those seen on LoL Esports) |

Cost Breakdown by Category

Crew Costs

Personnel typically represents 40-60% of production budgets.

Day Rates (Typical UK Market)

| Role | Day Rate Range | |------|---------------| | Director | £400 - £800 | | Technical Director | £350 - £650 | | Producer | £400 - £700 | | Observer Lead | £300 - £500 | | Observer | £200 - £400 | | Graphics Operator | £250 - £450 | | Audio Engineer | £300 - £500 | | Camera Operator | £300 - £500 | | Stream Technician | £200 - £400 |

Rates vary based on experience, event prestige, and market conditions

Equipment Costs

Equipment can be owned, rented, or provided as part of a production package.

Core Equipment Categories

Streaming PCs: £500 - £2,000 per system
Capture Hardware: £200 - £1,000 per channel (brands like Elgato and Magewell)
Video Switcher: £500 - £5,000 (rental per event) - Blackmagic ATEM series are popular
Audio Console: £300 - £2,000 (rental per event)
Cameras: £200 - £800 per day per camera
Monitors: £50 - £200 per day per display
Networking: £500 - £3,000 depending on complexity

Graphics and Design

Custom graphics packages range based on complexity:

| Package Type | Typical Cost | |--------------|--------------| | Basic Overlay Set | £500 - £1,500 | | Standard Package | £1,500 - £5,000 | | Premium Package | £5,000 - £15,000 | | Full Broadcast Rebrand | £15,000 - £50,000+ |

Streaming and Infrastructure

Dedicated Streaming Service: £200 - £1,000 per day
Multi-platform Streaming: £300 - £800 additional
VOD Processing: £100 - £500 per day
CDN Services: £50 - £500 depending on viewership

Sample Production Budgets

Budget Example: Community Tournament

Weekend online tournament, 2 broadcast days

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Production Crew (3 people x 2 days) | £1,800 | | Graphics Package | £800 | | Streaming Services | £400 | | Total | £3,000 |

Budget Example: Mid-Size Online League

8-week league, 2 broadcast days per week

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Production Crew (5 people x 16 days) | £16,000 | | Graphics Package | £3,500 | | Streaming Services | £3,200 | | Equipment/Software | £2,300 | | Total | £25,000 |

Budget Example: LAN Tournament

3-day arena event with live audience

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Production Crew (15 people x 3 days) | £27,000 | | Equipment Rental | £15,000 | | Graphics Package | £8,000 | | Venue AV Integration | £12,000 | | Streaming/Infrastructure | £5,000 | | Talent (Casters/Analysts) | £10,000 | | Contingency (10%) | £7,700 | | Total | £84,700 |

Cost-Saving Strategies

Remote Production

Producing online events remotely using tools like OBS Studio or vMix can reduce costs by 30-50% compared to on-site production:

No travel or accommodation expenses
Distributed crew working from home
Reduced equipment requirements
Flexible scheduling

Multi-Event Agreements

Booking multiple events with the same production partner typically reduces per-event costs:

3-5 events: 10-15% discount
6-10 events: 15-20% discount
Season-long commitments: 20-30% discount

In-House Development

Building internal capabilities over time:

Train staff on production tools
Invest in owned equipment
Develop graphics templates for reuse
Build relationships with freelance crew

What Affects Pricing

Factors That Increase Costs

Short notice bookings (rush fees)
Weekend or holiday events
Complex technical requirements
Multi-language broadcasts
High-profile events requiring senior crew
Remote locations
Extended broadcast hours

Factors That Decrease Costs

Advance booking
Flexible scheduling
Simple single-stream productions
Weekday events
Long-term partnerships
Off-peak season events

Getting Accurate Quotes

When requesting production quotes, provide:

Event details: Game, format, schedule
Technical requirements: Resolution, platforms, features
Scope: What services you need vs. what you'll handle
Timeline: Event dates and booking deadline
Budget range: Helps providers suggest appropriate solutions

ROI Considerations

Production quality directly impacts:

Viewership: Better production attracts and retains viewers on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming
Sponsorship: Professional broadcasts command higher sponsor rates
Brand perception: Quality reflects on your organisation
Growth: Successful events build audience for future events

Investing in professional production typically delivers returns through increased engagement, sponsorship value, and brand building.

Conclusion

Esports production costs scale with your needs and ambitions. Whether you're running community tournaments on a tight budget or producing major championships, understanding these costs helps you plan effectively and allocate resources wisely.

As a professional esports production agency, we provide custom quotes tailored to your specific event requirements. Contact our esports production company to discuss your needs.