Can You Earn Money From League of Legends?
By Arlo on Jan 5th, 2026, 06:15
There used to be a time when people wondered if there was a way to make money by doing something like gaming every day of their lives. That’s no longer a fantasy, and it’s a highly coveted six-figure salary profession, although positioning yourself to become one such professional is a different matter altogether.
While the rewards of becoming a pro LoL player are huge, it's also an incredibly steep climb that not everyone has the ability and guts to take on and overcome. Let’s take a look at the economics behind LoL esports and how a simple individual can make earnings in this industry.
Many dream of making it to the pros, but what that entails is seldom explored. It’s not just the tournament prize that gives an esports player the glitz of a high income; that’s just icing on the cake. It’s earning a team roster spot and the earnings that come along with the job.
In the LEC, Europe’s premier League, Riot Games mandates a minimum salary of 60,000 euros, but the average salary in 2025 is much higher at around 240,000 euros instead. Mid-lane specialists are the team’s ace, and command a more premium paycheck at 300,000, while top-tier talent whose names come with greater renown, such as Rasmus “Caps” Winther, earn much more than that.
Things are similar even in different areas such as North America, Korea, and China, where top-tier professionals earn $100,000 to $500,000 and more. These are all base salaries, not including any other income such as prize winnings or sponsorship deals.
With prizes going up to the millions, these certainly draw attention, but winning a tournament is too unreliable a means to earn a living, and it’s healthier to look at them as just bonuses. It’s certainly a huge bonus, though, with the League of Legends World Championship prize at a hefty $5 million in 2025. Even with the earnings split among team members and the sponsor, that’s enough money to become officially wealthy overnight.
Professional players aren’t the only ones who make a lot of money playing games with game streamers and content creators also make significant incomes monthly. Instead of tournament arenas, these are people who take to platforms like Twitch and YouTube to build a following, and that’s where they earn their keep.
While it’s easy to assume that streamers make second-rate income, earning figures of $10,000 to $70,000 monthly should be enough to change most people’s minds. But this isn’t playing second fiddle to elites; streamers and content creators require a different set of skills and are not necessarily people who failed to make it to the pros.
Building a community and maintaining it is a different feat altogether. Charisma, consistency, and a strong understanding of branding; these are just a few of the things that streamers need to have, although everything still starts from a fondness for LoL.
Not every expert is built for playing in the tournament arena. There are people who prefer to analyze the game more deeply, and while they may not develop their command of the game, their understanding runs much deeper than anyone else’s. These are people who may inevitably walk the path of an expert coach.
It’s not that coaches aren’t good; it’s that they're much better at something other than actually playing the game. Their ability to analyze the game is indispensable to any pro team, taking on opponent scouting duties, refining strategies, and managing players to ensure they’re ready to take on any challenge.
Their salaries match their responsibilities as well, with top-tier coaches in major region teams making six-figure salaries. There is quite a difference between team coaches and personal coaches in their earnings.
Take a look at how these different LoL career paths compare:
| Career Path | Potential Annual Earnings | Key Skills | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Player | $70,000 – $500,000 (including prizes) | Elite mechanics, teamwork, mental fortitude | High (with contract), short career |
| Streamer / Content Creator | $50,000 – $800,000 | Charisma, consistency, video editing, community building, management | Variable |
| Team Coach / Analyst | $50,000 – $150,000 | Deep game knowledge, leadership, communication | Mid to high |
| Personal Coach | $20,000 – $100,000 | Game expertise, marketing, teaching ability | Depends on reputation |
These are all paths for a LoL player who has studied the game, learned the groundwork, and taken on various challenges. Going the way of the pro is not necessarily the best, and each path also has its own difficulties to face and overcome.
They’re not all that different on a fundamental level. You’ll need to develop a profound understanding of macro-level strategy, you’ll need to join smaller tourneys to meet high-level players and build your network, and you’ll need to work hard to fuel your ambition.
Regardless of which path you intend to follow, you’ll need to keep your passion for the game burning all the way through. But if you have expert guidance, you’ll further enhance your chances for success.
Connect with a WeCoach pro today and learn what it takes to earn esports success whichever path you wish to tread. You’ll learn everything from the fundamentals to having the right mindset and confidence for everything that lies ahead.
