The e-sports scene has never been as hot as it is in 2025. Propelled by broadcasting platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, this sector is establishing itself not only as a major entertainment industry, but also as a new field of expression for influencers. Gaming's key players, true leaders of the digital sphere, federate massive communities and influence the marketing strategies, brand engagement and aspirations of millions of young people.
Their impact goes far beyond tournaments: they shape trends and redefine social codes. Here we take an in-depth look at the world of 10 key figures to watch, their careers and their levers of influence, between extreme competitiveness, innovation and masterful storytelling.
Strategic overview of the 10 major e-sport influencers
The e-sports ecosystem boasts a myriad of content creators. But certain influencers clearly stand out from the crowd, catalyzing the attention of sponsors, media and enthusiasts alike. Among the leaders, the diversity is striking: each embodies a distinct facet of gaming, from pure competitor to showman, from franchise specialist to unifying generalist.
Drawing up a list of the must-have influencers in 2025 requires the integration of several objective criteria. The number of subscribers, the variety of networks, the intensity of community involvement, but also the competitive track record and the ability to generate event interaction are all scrutinized. The ten profiles selected stand out for their continuous growth momentum, cross-disciplinary impact and regular presence at major e-sport events.
| Name / Pseudonym | Game / Specialty | Flagship platform | Cumulative audience | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gotaga | FPS (Call of Duty) | Twitch / YouTube | +8.8 million | Outstanding track record, opinion leader |
| Squeezie | Multigaming, entertainment | Twitch / YouTube | +24.5 million | A bridge between gaming and mainstream |
| SolaryFortNite | Fortnite | Twitch / YouTube | +3.5 million | Competitive specialist, memorable replay |
| LOCKLEAR | Multigaming | Twitch / YouTube | +3.9 million | Long-term lives |
| Sardoche | MOBA / Chess | Twitch / YouTube | +1.6 million | Gaming marathons, engaged debates |
| Doigby | Multigaming, events | Twitch / YouTube | +3.3 million | Dynamic and a born competitor |
| ZeratoR | Event organization | Twitch / YouTube | +2 million | Leader in charitable gaming |
| Domingo | Talkshow / Entertainment | Twitch / YouTube | +2.5 million | Lead host |
| Bruce Grannec | FIFA / Virtual soccer | Twitch / YouTube | +900 000 | Four-time world champion |
| Team Vitality | Multi-game organization | Twitch / YouTube | +1.7 million | Icon of French e-sports |
Selection criteria and new visibility challenges
From the hierarchy of subscriber numbers to the evolution towards proprietary events, these influencers now embody the pinnacle of the gaming digital pyramid. Their influence is based not just on gaming performance, but on personal brand building, combined with original, often hybrid, content. The breadth of their media presence also creates a zone of influence that goes beyond the simple framework of the streaming :
- Organization of massive charity events, such as the ZEvent initiated by ZeratoR.
- Conducts talkshow columns for the general public, such as "Popcorn", hosted by Domingo.
- Value-added replay production, notably at SolaryFortNite.
- The ability to drive trends, like Squeezie's crossover between gaming and music.
This analysis makes it clear that the pure skill of the player, while essential, is only one piece of the puzzle. Showmanship, community proximity and network mastery structure the dominance of the selected figures.
Top 10 e-sport influencers: case studies and outlook for 2025
The 2025 ranking is based on singular trajectories, characteristic of the rapid evolution of e-sports:
- Gotaga : A titled elder, he retains his position as mentor to the younger generation, supported by a meticulous communications strategy and a commitment to new video formats (shorts, interactive clips).
- Squeezie The company is a master at hybridizing worlds, combining humorous content with thrilling gaming sessions at exclusive events.
- LOCKLEAR His stamina on record-breaking live shows (over 10 hours) has won him the loyalty of an audience that appreciates his proximity and spontaneity.
The cross-sectional analysis positions these influencers as drivers of innovation and disruption, a key element for brands seeking new partnership and activation strategies.
This panorama invites reflection on the growing professionalization of the sector, and the emergence of unprecedented opportunities for players in the influencer marketing. Specialized platforms such as Value Your NetworkThe new e-sport network, which is now in place, supports companies and creators in structuring long-term collaborations within the e-sport industry.
The impact of community involvement and the role of platforms in e-sports
The power of e-sport influencers would be nothing without the fervor of their communities. In 2025, interactivity is the beating heart of influencer strategy: it builds awareness, guarantees loyalty and boosts brand appeal. Observation of platforms shows a profound transformation in the audience/influencer relationship, driven by cutting-edge digital tools.
| Platform | Key features | Key influencers | Means of commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch | Live broadcasting, real-time chat | Gotaga, Domingo, ZeratoR | Donations, voting, live challenges |
| YouTube | Replay, documentaries, highlights | Squeezie, SolaryFortNite, LOCKLEAR | Comments, premium subscriptions |
| Stories, teasers, backstage | ZeratoR, Bruce Grannec | Q&A, survey stories | |
| Twitter/X | Live tweets, exclusive announcements | Sardoche, Doigby | Threads, direct responses |
Community dynamics and engagement triggers
Digital communities now function as participative "hubs". E-sport influencers activate several levers:
- Regular organization of sponsored tournaments, involving their viewers with exclusive rewards.
- Launch of marathon live events (e.g. Domingo's Popcorn Festival, ZeratoR's ZEvent).
- Use of the "breaking news" format to tease participation in major competitions, fuelling collective suspense.
- Daily interaction with fans via "stories" or private lounges, guaranteeing proximity and authenticity.
This dynamic of influence relies as much on the creation of original content as on the mastery of social algorithms (automatic suggestions, trending hashtags, etc.). Coupled with the ability to bounce off the sector's hot news, it enables these figures to attract new followers and build loyalty among a multi-generational audience.
A striking example of this is the omnipresence of Gotaga and Squeezie at major gaming events, where hundreds of thousands of web surfers follow their every move live, with record audience peaks. Sponsors, meanwhile, are able to measure the impact of each operation precisely through the rate of engagement and virality of campaigns, data now accessible through specialized platforms such as Value Your Network.
Evolving channels and new e-sport consumption patterns
The year 2025 marks a turning point in the omnichannel approach. The multiplication of media (tablets, mobiles, new-generation consoles), coupled with the integration of AI for personalized recommendation, is driving the emergence of new formats:
- Short, interactive clips, adapted to mobile scrolling, popular with Generation Z.
- Podcasts and cross-platform talkshows, where Domingo excels with his "Popcorn" talk format.
- Backstage, "making-of" and "behind the events" videos, bringing influencers and subscribers closer together.
The migration of audiences towards immersive experiences, augmented by VR/AR and mixed reality devices, is paving the way for unprecedented partnerships between brands and creators. To fully understand this mutation, we need to integrate the light of the most recent news, in particular the growing role of influencers at events such as the Olympic Games, to be discovered in this article on ValueYourNetwork.
Through the sophistication of their tools and the diversification of their interactions, influencers reinforce the idea that authentic engagement is the key to success. Any strategy must integrate these new codes to maximize the impact of collaborations.
Monetization levers and marketing prospects for e-sport influencers
Over the years, the monetization of e-sport content has become increasingly professional. Revenue generated by influencers is no longer limited to Twitch subs or YouTube ads. In 2025, brand strategies rely on a multiplicity of channels, in strong synergy with micro-influence devices and data analytics.
| Source of monetization | Estimated revenue share | Concrete example |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsoring and partnerships | 30-45% | Gotaga x big tech brands |
| Donations & subscriptions (Twitch, YouTube) | 20-30% | Sardoche live marathon, paid messages |
| Merchandising | 10-15% | Team Vitality limited edition clothing |
| Exclusive events / Tickets | 10-15% | ZEvent privileged access, Squeezie meet-ups |
| Additional income (training, coaching) | 5-10% | Bruce Grannec: FIFA masterclass |
Marketing activation strategies and case studies
The association between brands and e-sport influencers takes many forms, from classic sponsorship to the co-creation of products or content. Some influencers orchestrate integrated campaigns across multiple platforms, maximizing their reach while ensuring respect for their editorial identity:
- Creation of skins or in-game objects featuring the influencer, interactive and exclusive.
- Launch of clothing or accessory capsules, relayed live and in stories.
- Organization of sponsored "challenges", involving community participation and generating measurable virality.
The success of such campaigns depends on the careful selection of the right influencer for the brand's target and universe. Companies using specialized tools, such as the Value Your NetworkOur clients benefit from access to audience data and support in designing tailor-made projects.
The recent example of the partnership between ZeratoR, Doigby and a major automotive brand demonstrates the model's cross-functionality: the operation generated more than 500,000 participations in an online challenge, with an interaction rate multiplied by 4 compared to a traditional display campaign. A perfect illustration of the activation power of e-sport influencers.
New frontiers: micro-influence, data and internationalization
An analysis of the spinoffs shows that the most innovative strategy is based on the complementarity between big names and small companies. micro-influencers specialized. The latter, often experts in a niche game or guarantors of greater proximity, offer higher rates of engagement with qualified targets. It's also crucial to consider the transnational dimension of e-sport, which enables campaigns to be rapidly exported and audiences to be shared, to be discovered in greater detail on this dedicated page.
- Increasing use of influencer management platforms to manage cross-border campaigns.
- Use of advanced analytical tools (KPI tracking, creative A/B testing, etc.) to refine devices and maximize conversion.
All of which tends to confirm that the future of brand awareness, business and digital creativity will inexorably pass through e-sport and its ambassadors. Authentic, interactive collaborations guarantee an unrivalled return on investment, driven by a shared, unifying passion.
FAQ - E-sport influencers in 2025
- What networks will e-sport influencers be using in 2025?
The vast majority prefer Twitch for live broadcasts, YouTube for replays and enriched content, while Instagram and TikTok are used for event previews and behind-the-scenes interactivity. - How does an e-sport influencer choose his sponsors?
The choice is based primarily on the consistency of values, freedom of tone and the sponsor's degree of investment in the community. The best partnerships offer original content creation and shared commitment. - What skills are essential for breaking into e-sports today?
In addition to gaming excellence, the ability to animate, interact, organize events and master digital storytelling is decisive. Versatility is a differentiating factor. - How do you measure the impact of an e-sport campaign?
Key metrics include engagement rate, impressions, cumulative reach and virality. Specialized platforms provide detailed reports enabling real-time strategy adjustments. - Is there a difference between e-sport influencers and gaming content creators?
Yes, the e-sport influencer takes a competitive, event-based approach, while the gaming creator may focus more on humor, testing and popularization. However, the boundaries are becoming blurred thanks to the hybridization of formats.