A global study commissioned by Logitech G and released today reveals that nearly two-thirds of people worldwide (65%) support more formal education pathways in esports and gaming for aspiring professionals. The Logitech G PRO Series Survey, conducted by Censuswide with 18,000 respondents across 12 markets, uncovers a growing acceptance of esports and professional gaming as a calling, with over half (54%) of respondents globally believing professional gaming to be a legitimate career path.
The attitudes of older generations differ greatly in terms of acceptance of the career. Though two-thirds (67%) of Gen Z and 60% of Millennials agree professional gaming is a legitimate career path, just 37% of Baby Boomers do. Some nations are racing ahead in the rise of these digital athletes. In Germany, just one in five (20%) of Baby Boomers consider professional gaming to be a legitimate career, compared to nearly three-quarters (74%) of Baby Boomers in China.
Derek Perez, Global Communications Gaming lead at Logitech G, comments: “This research shows how far esports and gaming have come – not only as entertainment, but as a genuine path to personal and professional success. However, more can be done to support younger generations in pursuing careers in professional gaming.” He added that the more companies like Logitech support athletes and the industry overall, the more opportunities there will be for people around the world to pursue roles in esports.
Overall opinions in the survey are favourable, particularly with younger generations, but there is some way to go towards professional gaming being seen as a more respectable, mainstream career. Healthcare professionals (55%), lawyers (33%), teachers or lecturers (30%) and engineers (28%) top the list of careers worldwide in terms of respectability. Professional gaming (8%) is on par with musicians, actors, or entertainers (9%), professional racers (8%), and politicians (7%) when it comes to how respectable people see these careers.
Just 1% of Boomers and 3% of Gen X say they would choose for their children or a young person close to them to become a professional gamer. Even Millennials are apprehensive, with just 4% recommending the profession for a young person they know, while 15% would encourage a career as a doctor or healthcare professional. However, mainstream esports careers are gaining appeal: while 44% believe politics and 25% believe teaching is less desirable now than a decade ago, two-fifths (40%) say professional gaming is more aspirational in 2026 than it was in 2016.
The biggest barriers to overcome for pursuing professional gaming as a career include the perceived financial risk (42%), competitiveness of the industry (34%) and lack of parental and societal support (31%). A third of respondents worldwide think professional gaming doesn’t offer job security, while 42% say that people don’t see professional gaming as a real job because it’s still seen as a hobby rather than a valid career route.
The survey highlights a recognition of the physical and mental demands of competitive gaming, with more than a third (37%) globally supporting the addition of the sport in the Olympic Games, rising to nearly half (49%) of Gen Z. People increasingly see a career in professional gaming as mentally demanding (84%), while more than half (55%) agree it is a physically demanding career. The dedication to training and development is also being recognised, with more than a quarter (27%) of people thinking gamers spend 10–12 hours per day practicing, far exceeding the traditional “9 to 5” working day.
One in five respondents believe that a lack of formal qualifications or education requirements are some of the main reasons people don’t see professional gaming as a real career. However, there is huge appetite to combat this, as almost half (47%) think that schools should include esports classes in the curriculum alongside traditional sports. This prospect is especially popular with nations like Switzerland (73%), China (77%) and even the USA (46%), while nations like the UK (32%), France (36%) and Germany (29%) remain more cautious.
Worldwide, there are calls for more coaching and educational routes to professional gaming careers. Most people globally (65%) think there should be formal education pathways for careers in esports and professional gaming from universities, colleges, and specialist courses. Respondents say more media coverage on mainstream channels and professional training facilities (33%), more transparency around earnings (32%) and inclusion in major global sporting events (30%) would make people take professional gaming more seriously as a career.
Perez concludes: “Ensuring access to training, facilities, and technology is essential in ensuring the continued growth of careers in professional gaming. As a leader in gaming technology, Logitech G is committed to empowering everyone – from aspiring esports stars to everyday gamers – with gear designed for precision and reliability.” For more information, visit www.logitechg.com.
