Pro Paintball Players How Much Do They Make

Introduction

Paintball is no longer just a recreational game for the weekend warriors. Professional paintball - with big leagues, tournaments and prize money - has very much become a thing. But how much do pro paintball players really make? From salaries to the most generous sponsorships, this article will help illuminate what the financial aspects of paintball pro careers look like.

Leagues and Teams

Professional tournaments are organized and hosted by the biggest national and international paintball leagues, with the best talent from all around the world. Teams of professional players pay a registration fee of anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand USD to compete.

Major contests and championships can also offer prize money in the tens of thousands of dollars which, if divided among the team members, often isn't a significant sum.

Competitive Tournament Purses

The largest purses come from large-scale tournaments, such as the NXL (National Xtreme League). Awards here range from $20,000 - $50,000 USD per tournament. It is important to note that teams can span from 3-7 players, so the actual earnings for team members can vary significantly.

Sponsorships

Paintball players attracted to professional competition typically join teams who have secured sponsorships from companies. These sponsorships will cover a great deal of fees, gear and travel, and can vary from small to significant sums.

Competitive Team Salaries

The highest paying paintball teams typically offer salaries to worthy players. These can range from several thousand dollars to even full-time salaries, although these are rare. A paintball pro can expect to make a few hundred dollars per month with a good team sponsorship.

Conclusion

Any way we look at it, professional paintball is still in the early stages of development, and you won't get rich quick transitioning from a recreational lion to a tourney king. But with the proper skills, commitment, and passion, it is very possible to make a living with a good team sponsorship and/or build a career around the game.

Brief Recap

Making money in professional paintball requires hard work and dedication. Teams pay a fee to join tournaments, with prize purses that vary from hundreds to tens of thousand dollars. Meanwhile, joining a team with a sponsorship ensures that players don't have to pay for gear, training and travel fees, as well as receive a salary from several hundred to thousands of dollars per month.