Esports — organised competitive video gaming — is one of the fastest-growing participation activities among young New Zealanders. From school teams to national competitions, esports organisations are increasingly seeking grant funding for facilities, equipment, events, and development. This guide covers the key funding sources for esports in New Zealand.
Esports sits at an interesting intersection for funders:
- Sport: Sport NZ has explored esports as a participation activity, particularly for youth
- Digital economy: MBIE and economic development agencies view esports through a tech and digital lens
- Youth development: Esports engages young people who may not participate in traditional sport
- Education: Schools esports programmes connect to learning and STEAM outcomes
This multi-sector framing opens multiple funding pathways, though esports remains less established in sport grant frameworks than traditional sports.
Sport NZ has explored esports as a means to reach young people not engaged in traditional sport. The challenge for esports organisations is demonstrating that they deliver community sport outcomes (participation, inclusion, wellbeing) rather than purely entertainment.
Sport NZ investment in esports is emerging rather than established — check Sport NZ's current strategic priorities.
Some RSTs have begun to recognise esports as a community participation activity, particularly for youth. Not all RSTs fund esports. Contact your local RST to understand their current position.
Strongest case for RST funding: Esports programmes that:
- Demonstrably engage youth not participating in other activities
- Have inclusion (disability, mental health, youth at risk) as a core outcome
- Are run as community not-for-profit organisations
New Zealand gaming trusts are more likely to fund esports than sport agencies, given the sport's connections to community participation:
- Four Winds Foundation
- Grassroots Trust
- Pub Charity
- Lion Foundation
Gaming trust funding for esports is most likely for:
- Community esports hubs and shared gaming facilities
- School and youth esports equipment
- Community tournaments and events
- Youth-focused programmes with clear participation outcomes
Esports New Zealand (ESNZ) is the national governing body for esports. ESNZ works to develop the esports ecosystem and has relationships with funders for community esports development.
School esports is growing rapidly in New Zealand secondary schools. Funding:
- Secondary School Sport NZ: School sport investment includes emerging digital sport
- Principal and board of trustees funding: School decision-making for esports programme
- Sponsors: Peripheral and equipment companies sponsor school esports
Esports engages young people who may face mental health challenges or social isolation. This opens funding from:
- Mental health foundations: Youth wellbeing through positive digital engagement
- Youth development funders: Social connection and belonging through community esports
- Community trusts: Youth programmes with wellbeing outcomes
Esports is uniquely accessible for people with physical disability. Inclusive esports funding:
- Disability funders: Esports as adaptive sport
- CCS Disability Action and related: Technology-enabled participation
- Sport NZ disability inclusion: Emerging interest in esports for disability inclusion
Esports equipment (PCs, monitors, peripherals, networking) is a major cost:
- Gaming trusts: Equipment grants for community esports hubs
- Technology company sponsorship: PC, peripherals, and software sponsors
- Community foundations: Shared technology facilities for youth
Strong esports applications demonstrate:
- Community outcomes: How does esports benefit participants beyond entertainment?
- Youth engagement: Reaching young people not engaged in other activities
- Inclusion: Disability, mental health, youth at risk as target populations
- Not-for-profit community model: Grants flow to community organisations, not commercial ventures
- Wellbeing framing: Positive social connection, skill development, belonging
- Safeguarding: How the organisation protects young people in online environments
- Partnership: Connections with schools, youth organisations, mental health services
Tahua's grants management platform helps community organisations in emerging sport sectors manage their grant applications, track funding, and demonstrate community impact to funders.