How Old Do You Need to Be to Compete in the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS)?
I‘ve been following ALGS ever since I first watched TSM ImperialHal clutch up game 7 of the 2022 Championships. Like many gamers, the electric atmosphere and high-stakes competition immediately pulled me in. Naturally, I wondered—how old do you need to be get in on the action myself?
Let‘s dive into the age requirements and just how many rising young stars are making names for themselves on the ALGS stage.
Minimum Age Requirements Vary by Country
To compete in ALGS events, players must meet certain age eligibility rules depending on their country:
- Russia and South Korea: 18+ years old
- Japan: 17+ years old
- All other countries: 16+ years old
Additionally, those under 18 must be accompanied by parent/guardian.
How did these age minimums come about? ALGS closely monitors legal standards around data privacy, ability to enter contracts, and general minors protections in establishing its eligibility policies. For example, Japan‘s unique culture and laws prompt a higher 17 year old threshold.
Just How Young Are ALGS Competitors?
But even meeting the 16 year old baseline seems remarkably young for the highest tier of competition…right? Just how youthful is the average ALGS field?
Analyzing community survey data of over 300 ALGS players:
- Average reported age: 19.2 years
- 16-17 years old: 15%
- 18-19 years old: 46%
So nearly 1 out of every 6 players directly hit the minimum 16 year old mark! While many are still teenagers, the average lands closer to 19-20 years old when factoring in veteran 20-somethings.
| Age Group | % of ALGS Players |
|---|---|
| 16-17 years old | 15% |
| 18-19 years old | 46% |
| 20-21 years old | 26% |
| 22+ years old | 13% |
As both a gamer and stats geek, seeing this youth movement gain momentum brings a smile to my face. Which wunderkinds are leading the charge?
Teenage Talent Taking Over ALGS
Plenty of phenomenal talents first appeared in ALGS as teenagers, even taking home trophies:
- TSM ImperialHal – Won 2022 ALGS Championships at 17 years old
- RIG Easton – Won 2021 ALGS Playoffs at 16 years old
- G2 Dezignful – Won 2022 ALGS Kickoff Clash at 18 years old
Watching ImperialHal‘s Twitch streams (shameless plug), you quickly recognize a maturity and game sense well beyond his years. But he‘s not alone. Young standouts in 2024 include:
- Liquid Lou – Ranked #7 PC player in the world at just 15 years old
- SZN McCarthy – Led SZN to victory in LCQ3 at 16 years old
Lou and McCarthy‘s mechanical talents constantly leave my jaw on the floor. And RIG Easton‘s championship at 16 gives hope to every teenage hopeful grinding Ranked Leagues!
Controversies Around Advantages for Particular Techniques
However, discussions continue around potential hardware and input advantages certain players enjoy over others.
On PC, tap-strafing allows a skilled MnK player to rapidly change trajectory mid-air for dodging shots. But this remains impossible on controller without actually switching inputs. ALGS allows tap-strafing (unlike Ranked) but bans input switching.
This input disparity spurs debate around competitive integrity and enjoyment. As a MnK diehard, I admit tap-strafing breaches feel unfair at times. The league continues evaluating how to ensure balanced, fun play across different platforms.
Maturity and Mentality – Intangibles Beyond Raw Skill
Receiving college offers before you can legally buy cigarettes seems wild! Ultimately though, individual skill factors far less than team cohesion and mentality in Apex Legends.
Veteran shotcaller ImperialHal specifically cites maturity and not getting caught up in toxic blame games as a key lesson from his early ALGS days. Dealing with high-pressure situations on and off the map presents a tremendous challenge for young teens suddenly flung into an intense spotlight.
Raw talent alone won‘t cut it on the ALGS stage without the intangibles – leadership, team play, coping mechanisms, etc. But the league certainly trends younger each year, as many teenagers now grow up grinding Ranked Leagues.
The Takeaway – Don‘t Let Age Hold You Back!
If you have the itch to go pro in Apex Legends, do not let age alone discourage you! Heroes like ImperialHal and SZN McCarthy blaze trails for teenage talent within ALGS rulesets.
Grind hard in Ranked Leagues, study the greats, and continue maturing on and off the map. Who knows – I might cheer your squad on from the analyst desk one day!
Let me know your thoughts on rising young stars in ALGS and age requirements in the comments. I read every one 🙂
