If you have a need for speed, you will also need a rather large budget. Racing simulators absolutely dominate the top of the expense list, and it all comes down to the heavy hardware required to run them properly.
Taking the undisputed number one spot is iRacing. Starting from scratch with this popular title will set you back a massive $2,080US in your first year alone. The game demands a high-end gaming PC and a dedicated racing wheel with pedals, which immediately adds up to a minumum $1,770US. On top of that heavy hardware investment, players face a $110US annual membership fee and typically spend around $200US on extra cars and tracks just to compete across multiple series.
Coming in second place is F1 25 (26 with the update), requiring around $1,870US for a competitive setup. While it demands the same expensive high-end PC and wheel rig as iRacing, there are thankfully no ongoing subscription fees, making it slightly more manageable for racing fans. Right behind it in third place is Assetto Corsa Competizione. You can get away with a mid-range PC for this one, but buying the base game and all nine official content packs still pushes your total first-year cost to just under $1,490US.
The $1,300 “Free” Shooters
Here is where the research gets really interesting. You might assume that free-to-play shooters are the most budget-friendly way to enter the competitive scene. However, the Zero1 data proves otherwise.
Apex Legends and Rainbow Six Siege round out the top five most expensive games, each costing a new player $1,300US to compete seriously. Neither game requires you to buy expansion packs or pay a monthly subscription. The entire bill comes directly from the hardware requirements. To keep up with the competition and maintain the necessary frame rates, you need a capable mid-range PC costing around $950US. Add a proper gaming monitor, an accurate mouse, a mechanical keyboard, and a clear headset, and you are looking at another $350US. Downloading the software is free, but playing it at a competitive level is a serious financial commitment.
Don’t Forget the Tournament Fees
Fighting games present a completely different kind of financial hurdle. Street Fighter 6 takes the sixth spot on the list with a total first-year cost of $1,058US. While the hardware entry is much cheaper, many players simply compete on a standard console, the hidden costs come from actually showing up to the events. Dedicated players can expect to spend almost $250US just on tournament entry fees over the course of a single year.
As a video game industry expert from Zero1 noted regarding the study: “Racing simulators have always been the expensive end of competitive gaming… For anyone just getting into competitive gaming, start with what you have and only upgrade when you really hit a wall. Most of the time, the limiting factor is skill, not equipment.”
If you are thinking about going pro this year, it might be wise to take that advice before spending thousands of dollars on a brand new setup.
For the complete research findings, please visit https://zero1gaming.com.
