From rising stars to early retirees: the accelerated career trajectories of League of Legends esports players

Purpose This study aims to investigate the accelerated career trajectories of League of Legends (LoL) esports players, identifying specific factors that accelerate early peak performance and hamper long-term sustainability in esports. Design/methodology/approach This study combines statistical analysis using generalized Additive models and Gaussian peak analysis of 4,159 global players with semistructured interviews of five former professionals/coaches in LoL esports. Publicly available curriculum materials from eight leading Korean esports academies were also reviewed to contextualize training and development practices. Findings Quantitative results indicate a rapid performance ascent peaking near age 21, followed by a swift decline. Qualitative insights reveal that burnout, role inflexibility and limited mental health support exacerbate this decline, while academies focus predominantly on immediate competitive success rather than holistic career sustainability. Together, these findings support a five-stage career model (Entry, Growth, Maturity, Decline and Transition) tailored to the accelerated nature of esports. Practical implications Stakeholders can use these insights to implement structured transition programs, integrate mental health resources and promote role adaptability, ensuring healthier, more sustainable career pathways for esports athletes. Originality/value By merging statistical modeling with in-depth narratives, this study provides a novel empirical framework for understanding esports player development and retirement. It refines and extends Salo’s (2017) framework by incorporating structured academy-based development and postcareer transitions, offering data-driven recommendations for teams, academies and policymakers seeking to improve player welfare and career longevity.