High school esports has grown from a niche after-school activity into a legitimate varsity-level sport at thousands of schools across the country. With that growth has come the question that every new program director eventually faces: what do we wear?

Unlike traditional sports with decades of established apparel infrastructure, esports programs are often figuring out their gear needs from scratch. This guide covers everything you need to make smart decisions for your program.

Why Esports Apparel Matters More Than You Think

Gear isn't just about looking good during competition. For a high school esports program, apparel serves several critical functions:

• Identity and culture — Students who wear team gear feel like part of something. Team identity drives retention and recruitment.
• Legitimacy — A program with matching jerseys and team hoodies looks established. That matters when asking for budget, convincing parents, and recruiting players.
• School spirit — Esports apparel worn in the hallways raises the program's profile among the broader student body.
• Revenue — A school store selling team gear to fans and family members can fund tournament entry fees, equipment, and travel.

The Core Apparel Categories for School Programs

Competition Jerseys

The competition jersey is the flagship piece of any esports program's wardrobe. For high school programs, a few things to keep in mind:

• Sublimated (all-over print) jerseys are the standard for competitive esports — they allow for full-color designs without the limitations of screen printing.
• Include player usernames (gamertags) on the back, not necessarily legal names. This matches how players are known in their communities.
• Make sure the jersey is comfortable enough to wear for multi-hour sessions — breathable polyester blends beat heavy cotton for extended play.

Team Hoodies and Crewnecks

The hoodie is the everyday team identifier. Students will wear it to class, to practice, and at every tournament. Budget for at least one per player, and consider having extras available for sale to fans and family.

Practice Wear

Matching t-shirts or polos for practice creates a sense of team structure even in informal settings. These are typically lower-cost and can be ordered in larger quantities.

School Spirit Items

Hats, beanies, sticker packs, and accessories sold through a school store help fund the program while spreading awareness. A student wearing your esports program hat in the hallway is a recruiter.

How to Budget for Apparel

For a typical program of 10–15 players, here's a realistic first-year apparel budget breakdown:

• Competition jerseys (15 units): $400–$700
• Team hoodies (15 units): $600–$900
• Practice t-shirts (15 units): $150–$300
• Staff/coach gear (3–4 units): $100–$200

Total first-year range: approximately $1,250–$2,100. Many programs offset this through booster club funding, school activity fees, or store sales revenue.

The No-Inventory Option: Print-on-Demand School Stores

One of the smartest moves a school esports program can make is opening a print-on-demand store through NE Network. Instead of ordering bulk inventory upfront, the store produces each item as it's ordered — meaning:

• No inventory risk or storage concerns
• Supporters can buy gear year-round, not just during a limited sale window
• Every sale generates margin that returns to the program
• Students, parents, and alumni can all access the store from their phone

This model is particularly powerful for programs that can't predict demand or don't have storage space for bulk inventory.

Getting Your School Set Up

NE Network school members can activate a custom store through their school dashboard. Your school gets a dedicated storefront in the NE Network store directory, making it easy for your community to find and support you.

Interested in getting your school's program set up? Browse existing school stores for inspiration, or reach out to our team to get started.