Airsofter here. Gun, uniform, and all... probably $500-750 for it all. Only people that spend thousands are spoiled and don't hold a good concept on money 99% of the time. Many older airsoft players are very serious about the sport but are very nice about competing. With that said, a lot of older, younger, and parents of airsofters are ass wipes and can ruin the sport for many, like me.

For awhile I played airsoft and got very good at it. But after dealing with many middle school rich brats who don't think rules pertain to them, I gave up. I had one shoot my point blank in the butt, had my gear stolen before, had. Grown adults who would cheat and make people bleed with their guns, people thought it was funny breaking rules, the referees were all mouth and no punishment, etc. Would also have kids always try to make meme jokes and talk bad about others stuff like we cared. And Call of Duty players could come and treat it like the video game itself. It was a cringe worthy mess.

And it sucks because a lot of the community, adults and teens, and great players and play fair. They don't cheat, they laugh about it, and are overly polite and look out after each other. Once I got hurt bad from a shot that got me in terms wrong spot and had the person would hit me come over and make sure I was alright. I once took out a guy a dozen times and he finally got me out with a pistol from the complete other side of the field by a lucky shot. We talked after the game and ended up texting each other. The community is great, but the variety of douche ruin the entire game. I just stopped playing and play on a private field now with my girlfriend and our friends.

But yes, it's a serious and fun sport. But no, most players don't spend THOUSANDS.