Your first schools give a new esports league its credibility, and they're where you figure out how the league really runs. So keep an eye on schools that are ready to play, counted separately from schools that sound interested. A ready school has a teacher who'll take responsibility for the team, enough students for a viable roster, a decision on the entry fee and a clear idea of what the season asks of it. One committed teacher with a viable team is worth more than a long list of tentative contacts.

Ten is a useful planning target for this exercise, rather than a launch rule for every league. It won't tell you whether you'll break even, or whether every game and division will have enough teams, so work those out separately.

What should you offer schools before you contact them?

Offer one clearly defined season that you can genuinely deliver. Something concrete is easier for schools to understand, and the teacher who likes the idea needs enough detail to explain it to colleagues and senior leaders. Before your first conversation, settle:

  • the game and which students are eligible
  • season dates, the usual match night and time, and the timezone if schools are spread out
  • what each team commits to, without promising a match every week if byes or withdrawals could happen
  • the price, and what the school is responsible for
  • the support you'll provide as organiser
  • the date you'll decide whether the season goes ahead, and the minimum number of entries you need

Which schools should you approach first?

Start where you can name a teacher who's likely to champion esports, through an existing relationship or an appropriate professional contact. A named teacher and a backup adult are useful early signs that the school can follow through.

In New Zealand, NZ Esports' school guidance covers similar ground for its own pathway, from a known teacher contact and clear information on games and fees through to putting teams together and committing to attend. Your league's rules will differ, but it shows what a school needs to sort out before it can say yes.

What should you ask a teacher who's interested?

Ask a few practical questions, because interest still has to turn into approval, a viable roster and a confirmed entry, with billing sorted if a fee applies. Find out whether enough students want to play, whether your match time fits the timetable, whether school devices and the network will run the game, where students will play, which adult is responsible and how the school approves a purchase. Collect only what you need at this stage. Student names don't belong on a first enquiry form.

Then give the teacher something they can pass straight to their principal: a short season summary, what it asks of the teacher, game requirements, rules and safeguarding contacts, the price and the next step. If you can run a demonstration or a question session, offer that too.

How do you tell an interested school from a ready one?

Track every school through the same stages: contacted, interested, responsible adult confirmed, school decision pending, team and billing ready, then confirmed entry. Alongside each school, note the actual obstacle and the agreed next step, so you know whether you're waiting on a principal, a device check or an invoice.

Practical objections can come up after the first yes. Jonathan Jansen, a founder of School Esports, describes schools at the pilot stage carrying some scepticism about esports, resistance within senior leadership or discomfort with the admin load they expect. That's his experience of working with schools; ask your teacher contact which concerns apply to theirs and answer those directly.

School Esports, built independently by people who've run national school esports competitions, gives you a concrete process to discuss. Its demo teacher setup guide describes review of teacher registrations by an organisation administrator, plus student entry approvals and eligibility checks. The demo school billing guide covers paid entries and invoices. Check the steps available on your league's site, then walk the teacher through them or request a demo to see them yourself. That can help you discuss the practical questions early; the decision to join is still the school's.

How does the first season help you recruit the next schools?

A first season that's manageable for teachers and worthwhile for students can help you twice over: schools already involved may grow their commitment, and their teachers may be willing to introduce you to the next schools. Jonathan describes teachers becoming more willing to invest and recruit after they see what he calls the "massive social and positive impact" of esports. That's his practitioner judgement, rather than a guaranteed result for your league. Ask teachers what they actually noticed and what would justify another season; extra spending still needs the school's own approval.

The School Students section of NZ Esports' 2025 survey infographic, which Jonathan says he ran, reports that 60% said esports made them more confident to be involved in other school activities, and 91% said esports helped them socially. It doesn't say how many school students answered or give the number answering each question. These are students' own reports. They don't establish uptake of new activities, show that esports caused a change or predict results for your league.

Your first cohort also builds local knowledge about devices, schedules and school approval processes, which can make later onboarding smoother. Sort out setup problems that keep coming back, check each school is ready before the season starts, and ask teachers afterwards what was still hard. When a teacher is happy to recommend you, ask permission before sharing their school's name, logo, words or student images.

For the next step after recruitment, see onboarding schools and teachers.