A new global survey commissioned by Logitech G suggests esports and professional gaming are continuing to gain mainstream acceptance, particularly among younger generations. The study found that 65% of respondents worldwide believe there should be more formal education pathways for careers in esports and professional gaming.
Released through GamingWire on May 13, the Logitech G PRO Series Survey highlights how attitudes toward esports jobs and gaming careers are evolving, while also showing major divides between generations and regions.
According to the survey, 54% of people globally now view professional gaming as a legitimate career path. Support is strongest among younger age groups, with 67% of Gen Z and 60% of Millennials agreeing that esports can provide a viable profession. In comparison, only 37% of Baby Boomers share the same view.
Regional differences were also notable. In Germany, only 20% of Baby Boomers considered professional gaming a legitimate career, while support among the same generation in China reached 74%.
Derek Perez, Global Communications Gaming Lead at Logitech G, said the findings reflect how far esports has progressed as both entertainment and a professional industry.
“This research shows how far esports and gaming have come - not only as entertainment, but as a genuine path to personal and professional success,” Perez said. “However, more can be done to support younger generations in pursuing careers in professional gaming.”
Esports Careers Still Face Respectability Challenges
While support for esports careers continues to grow, the survey also revealed lingering skepticism around the profession’s long-term stability and respectability.
Healthcare professionals, lawyers, teachers, and engineers ranked among the world’s most respected careers. Professional gaming ranked lower, sitting alongside entertainers, professional racers, and politicians in public perception.
Only 1% of Baby Boomers and 3% of Gen X respondents said they would actively encourage a child or younger person to pursue a career as a professional gamer. Millennials were also cautious, with just 4% recommending esports as a career option for younger people close to them.
Still, public perception appears to be shifting. Two-fifths of respondents said professional gaming is more aspirational in 2026 than it was a decade earlier in 2016.
The survey identified several major barriers preventing wider acceptance of esports careers. Financial risk was the most common concern at 42%, followed by the competitiveness of the industry at 34% and lack of parental or societal support at 31%.
A third of respondents also said esports lacks job security, while 42% believed many people still see gaming as a hobby rather than a legitimate profession.
Demand Grows for Esports Education and Training
One of the survey’s strongest trends centered on esports education and structured career development.
Nearly half of respondents worldwide said schools should include esports classes alongside traditional sports programs. Support was especially high in China, Switzerland, and the United States, while countries including the UK, France, and Germany showed more hesitation.
The report also found that one in five people believe the lack of formal qualifications contributes to esports not being taken seriously as a profession.
As a result, respondents expressed growing interest in universities, colleges, and specialist institutions offering formal gaming and esports programs. The 65% global support for structured education pathways reflects increasing demand for clearer routes into esports careers beyond professional competition alone.
The survey also pointed to broader infrastructure needs within the industry. Respondents said expanded media coverage, professional training facilities, transparency around player earnings, and inclusion in major sporting events would help esports gain wider legitimacy.
Competitive Gaming Seen as Mentally and Physically Demanding
The Logitech G survey also highlighted changing attitudes toward the skills required for professional gaming.
A large majority of respondents - 84% globally - described esports as mentally demanding, while 55% also considered it physically demanding.
Training expectations were another area where public understanding appears to be evolving. More than a quarter of respondents believed professional gamers train between 10 and 12 hours per day, exceeding the workload associated with many traditional careers.
Support for esports in global sporting competitions also continues to grow. Overall, 37% of respondents supported the idea of competitive gaming becoming part of the Olympic Games, rising to 49% among Gen Z participants.
Logitech G Continues Focus on Competitive Gaming Hardware
Alongside the survey findings, Logitech G reiterated its focus on supporting esports athletes and aspiring competitors through gaming technology and training accessibility.
Perez said improving access to equipment, coaching, and facilities remains important for the long-term growth of professional gaming careers.
The company also highlighted products including the PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE gaming mouse and the Logitech G512 X TMR Analog/Mechanical Gaming Keyboard as part of its competitive gaming lineup.
Founded in 1981, Logitech develops hardware and software products across gaming, productivity, and creative markets, with Logitech G serving as its gaming-focused division.
