Powering Esports in the UAE - How EStars is Revolutionising Talent Acquisition in Esports

Esports in the UAE: A Growing Industry Needs Growing Talent

Esports in the UAE is booming. The esports industry has witnessed vast growth in the past decade, developing from a niche sector into a global phenomenon with millions of viewers and multibillion-dollar revenue streams. However, this rapid growth has not come without its own challenges, one of which is the shortage of trained skilled professionals to fill the increasing number of roles within the industry. EStars, a leading company in educational esports, operating out of the MENA region, is addressing this issue by upskilling the next generation of esports professionals. EStars has developed a suite of qualifications in the business of esports – teaching students about the ecosystem and its stakeholders and ensuring that students are aware of the broad range of career paths available.

Global esports market revenue growth chart from 2021 to 2028 highlighting industry expansion — Figure 1: Projected global esports market revenue from 2021 to 2028: Illustrate the exponential growth of the esports industry over recent years, emphasising the increasing demand for skilled professionals.

Challenges in Recruitment Within the Esports Industry in the UAE

Lack of Early Awareness and Exposure: One of the biggest underlying issues facing the esports industry is the lack of awareness among young people about the diverse career opportunities available beyond playing. Many students — and their parents — simply don’t realise that roles such as analysts, referees, event producers, commercial strategists and wellness coaches even exist within the sector. While some university degrees in esports are beginning to emerge, there’s still very little visibility or structured education for school-aged children. Without early exposure or clear pathways, many students simply never consider esports as a viable career option until much later, if at all.

Skills Gap and Specialist Roles: The esports ecosystem relies on a wide range of specialist roles — from game developers and broadcast producers to community managers and performance coaches. These positions demand a blend of technical, creative and managerial skills, yet most aspiring professionals lack access to targeted training and practical experience in these areas.

Absence of Standardised Career Paths: Unlike more traditional industries, esports does not yet have clearly defined career development structures or educational frameworks. This creates uncertainty for both young people exploring potential careers and for employers attempting to build reliable talent pipelines.

Balancing Technical Skills and Cultural Fit: Hiring managers frequently struggle to find candidates who are not only technically proficient but also able to thrive in the fast-paced, collaborative and deadline-driven environment esports demands. This tension is amplified by the industry’s high-visibility, live event nature.

Local Talent Shortages: In regions such as MENA, while there’s no shortage of players, there’s a gap in skilled professionals to fill vital support functions like event production, broadcasting, marketing and legal services. As a result, organisations often rely on international outsourcing, limiting the growth of a sustainable, diverse and locally driven talent ecosystem.

EStars: Pioneering Solutions in Esports Education

Young students experiencing immersive learning through VR headsets in an esports classroom

EStars addresses these challenges on a multi-dimensional level

Early Engagement and Skills Development: EStars introduces students to the esports industry from an early age through a safe online educational platform. By harnessing the power of gamification, the platform nurtures essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership and problem-solving.
Accredited Industry Recognised Qualifications: EStars delivers a clear academic and vocational pathway into esports through a suite of accredited qualifications. These include the EStars Certificates at Level 1 and BTEC qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 in Esports, providing students with foundational and advanced knowledge of the sector. These programmes equip learners with the knowledge and skills demanded by the modern esports industry, ensuring they’re prepared for further study or employment opportunities.
Immersive, Future-Ready Learning Environments: EStars transforms traditional learning through dynamic, immersive environments that mirror real world industry settings. These next-generation educational spaces elevate student engagement by placing learners in interactive, hands-on scenarios where they can apply theory in practice. This approach deepens subject understanding, enhances knowledge retention and accelerates the development of both technical and transferable skills within authentic, experience-driven contexts.
Meaningful Industry Exposure and Practical Experience: Bridging the gap between education and employment, EStars provides students with invaluable opportunities for direct industry engagement through its field trips to the Yas Creative Hub in Abu Dhabi – home to over 700 businesses. The field trips include workshops led by industry experts as well as innovation focused hackathons. These experiences offer young people a practical insight into the realities of working within the esports sector while helping them build professional networks.

Powering the Future of Esports Talent in the UAE

The recruitment challenges facing the esports industry demand agile, future-ready solutions. EStars delivers just that through a forward-thinking educational model that blends academic credibility, real-world industry relevance, and early career exposure. This isn’t simply about preparing students for the future of work — it’s about actively shaping the future of the esports industry itself.

Unlocking Career Opportunities in Esports: The EStars Advantage

EStars’ Certificates, endorsed by the NOCN Group — a leading UK-accredited body in vocational skills — offer an accessible introduction to the esports ecosystem. Designed to support students of varying abilities, these entry-level programmes provide a solid foundation for deeper exploration into esports. Whether learners are new to the field or looking to build essential knowledge, the Certificates offer an inclusive pathway into one of today’s fastest-growing industries.