Is 18 Too Late to Go Pro in E-Sports?
As a passionate gamer and e-sports enthusiast, I get this question a lot – and my answer is no. While the average age of professional gamers continues to skew younger, there are still opportunities to go pro even after your 18th birthday with the right dedication.
What‘s the Average Age of E-Sports Pros?
According to a Statista research report, the average age of elite League of Legends players is around 21 years old. For other popular e-sports like DOTA 2 and CSGO, top competitors tend to be in their early to mid 20s.
So while many go pro in their late teens, 18 is not at all a hard cutoff. However, data does show that reaction time can start slowing after age 24.
How Reaction Time Changes by Age
Expert research shows that visual reaction time correlates strongly with gaming performance. At a pro level, every millisecond matters. Here‘s an overview of averages by age group:
| Age Range | Average Reaction Time |
|---|---|
| 16-19 years old | Around 215ms |
| 20-24 years old | Around 220ms |
| 25-30 years old | Around 225ms |
So while increases are small early on, they eventually add up which makes consistency tougher after 30.
Case Studies: E-Sports Athletes Who Turned Pro After 18
However, there are still plenty of inspirational stories of players committing later and hitting it big:
SumaiL from DOTA 2 squad OG didn‘t start playing seriously until age 16. He turned pro at 18 and is now a two-time International world champion.
Saahil UNiVeRsE Arora also began DOTA 2 at 16 while studying to be an engineer. He went pro at 23 and is now retired after a lucrative career.
So with the right genetics and determination, you can still make waves even starting later.
Physical vs. Mental Skills in Gaming
Unlike traditional sports, e-sports rely more heavily on mental quickness and pattern recognition over pure physicality. Yes, reaction time matters – but game knowledge and strategic ability can make up for slight slow downs.
As a result, some pro players extend their competitive careers into their 30s which is extremely rare in high-level traditional sports.
My Take: Commitment is What Counts
In my view as lifelong gamer, raw talent or reactions don‘t automatically make you a strong competitor. What matters most, especially when starting later, is your sheer grit and commitment to keep improving.
Gaming a few hours per week since age 12 is not the same as structured, focused practice for years straight. That‘s the type of intensity it takes to go pro even beyond age 18.
Combine that diligence with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and you can absolutely compete at the highest echelons past your teens. Is it easier when starting younger? Perhaps. But plenty of journeyman pros have proven it‘s never too late to dominate if truly dedicated.
