An esports show looks like a gig from the seats. Behind the stage it runs like live television. There’s a broadcast schedule that won’t move, players who need to be in the right room at the right minute, and crew who can’t afford to wait at a door.
In 2023 we worked a season of EA esports shows with its production partner: the ePremier League Finals and eChampions League Knockouts at Here East, the eChampions League Finals in Istanbul, the FIFA 23 Global Series Playoffs, and two Apex Legends Global Series events at the Copper Box Arena and Resorts World Arena in Birmingham.
- 9shows in nine months
- 2countries
- 7days on site in Birmingham
Accreditation is also security
At an esports show, accreditation covers crew and players before the public ever arrives. Every pass has to be right, every morning, because the broadcast clock waits for nobody. Our accreditation lead stayed on site all week in Birmingham, from set-up to the final, so the same person knew every face.
Book the same accreditation people for every day of the event if you possibly can.
Look after the player rooms
At the FIFA 23 Global Series Playoffs we ran accreditation for every crew member and player, plus a floater whose job was covering breaks and keeping the player rooms stocked. Players need everything ready before a match.
An esports final is run much like a live TV broadcast.
Plan arena merchandise separately
Fans queued outside from the morning. The merch team was ready before they were.
At the Apex Legends events, the merchandise stands faced arena crowds, with fans queuing outside from the morning. At the Copper Box we had thirteen people on: two merchandise team leaders and seven merch staff, two on access control, a runner and the accreditation team leader. In Birmingham, a merch team of two leads and three assistants.
Arena merch is fast, cash-and-card, size-and-stock work. It needs leads who can count stock at close and reorder from the stockroom without leaving the till short. See our guide to merch stands for more.
Plan for long, back-to-back days
Studio days ran up to 12 hours, and arena weeks start with set-up days before anyone sees a stage. Build breaks into the plan, keep a runner free, and decide in advance who covers access control when the person on the door needs to step away. Doors on a broadcast floor are never unstaffed.
Know the game, at least a little
Fans at an esports final know the players, the teams and the patch notes. Staff don’t need to be pros, but someone on merch who knows which team is which sells more shirts and fields questions without radioing for help. We recruit for that.
Checklist
- The same accreditation people every day if possible
- Passes for crew and players checked before the public arrives
- Someone looking after the player rooms
- Merch leads who can count stock and reorder
- Breaks built into long studio and arena days
- A short brief on the game, teams and players
Common questions
Who checks in at an esports event?
Crew and players, before the public ever arrives. Every pass has to be right, every morning.
Should the same staff work every day?
For accreditation, yes, because the same person soon knows every face.
How long are esports event days?
Studio days can run up to 12 hours, and arena weeks start with set-up days before anyone sees a stage.
Send us the run of show and we’ll plan accreditation, merch and crew around it.
