Your Guide to Starting an Affordable Esports Program

Let’s be honest — most people think starting an esports program means spending thousands of dollars on fancy gaming PCs, neon lights, and a whole new room to put them in.

I hear this firsthand at conferences and in the schools I travel to and that’s enough to scare anyone away.

But here’s the truth: you can kick things off with one simple setup — a console, a few controllers, and a TV or smartboard. That’s it. No massive budget. No complicated tech headaches. And yes, it can still be exciting, competitive, and a huge hit with students.

Why Starting Simple Works

Starting small keeps things manageable and affordable:

• It’s budget-friendly — One console can run games for multiple players at once.

• It’s fun for everyone — Games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 3 are competitive but family-friendly.

• It’s portable — Bring it to different classrooms, events, or even community nights.

• It’s easy to set up — HDMI cable, controllers, done.

Instead of worrying about a massive upfront investment, you can focus on building the program and the community.

How to Run Your First Event

1. Pick a game everyone can enjoy — Mario Kart and Smash Bros. are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

2. Use the space you already have — a library meeting room, STEM lab, or even the cafeteria.

3. Make it social — Let players rotate in and out and encourage friends to watch and cheer.

4. Keep score in a fun way — Even a whiteboard works for tracking winners.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly word spreads when students start talking about “Friday Smash Tournaments” or “Lunchtime Mario Kart Races.”

Give Students Real Roles (Not Just a Controller)

An esports program is more than people playing games. You can:

• Have student commentators announce matches.

• Let organizers handle brackets and schedules.

• Get a tech crew to set up the equipment.

• Have a social media team post updates and photos.

This way, even students who aren’t competing still have a reason to be involved — and they learn real-world skills while doing it.

Keep It Affordable

• Start with one console — you can always add another later.

• Buy games that have local multiplayer so you don’t rely on internet speed.

• Check for used controllers or refurbished gear to save money.

• Watch for eShop sales — sometimes you can grab great titles for under $10.

Level Up Later

Once your program gains momentum:

• Add a second console so more players can compete at once.

• Get a capture card to stream matches on Twitch or YouTube.

• Apply for grants or find local sponsors.

• Expand into other consoles or even PCs as your budget allows.

Want to Compete Right Away? Join LASEF for Free

If you’re ready to take your students’ skills beyond your own building, the Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation (LASEF) is a great place to start. https://lasefup.org

• Play from home — Students can join the LASEF online league at no cost.

• Go in-person — For the live event experience, teams can compete in the EBREL in-person tournaments.

• Get on stream — Matches at EBREL events may be live-streamed, giving friends, family, and the community a chance to watch the action in real time.

It’s the perfect way to give students a taste of real competition without spending a fortune on travel or massive setups.

Need some more inspiration? Check out our YouTube channel to see how other schools and communities are making esports happen.

The Big Takeaway

You don’t need to wait for a big budget or a dedicated esports lab to get started. A simple setup can bring students together, teach teamwork, spark leadership skills, and connect them to a statewide esports community through LASEF.

Start small. Keep it fun. Grow as you go.