The highly anticipated first-ever Olympic Esports Games, initially set for 2025, has been postponed to 2027, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Saudi Arabia, which secured a 12-year hosting deal, will still hold the inaugural edition in Riyadh. The delay aims to ensure proper planning and alignment with Olympic values.
“The first edition of the Olympic Esports Games, a landmark event both in the world of esports and within the Olympic Movement, will be held in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Road to the Games with the first Olympic competitions will already start this year,” the IOC said in a statement.
With the rapid growth of the gaming industry, the IOC saw an opportunity to incorporate competitive gaming into its global structure. In 2023, Saudi Arabia secured the hosting rights—a major leap towards the legitimisation of esports within the Olympic Movement.
The IOC cited strategic planning and the need for aligning the Esports Olympics to the larger overall Olympic vision as key reasons for the delay. Considering the intricacies surrounding the selection of games and structuring of the competition, two further years will allow for easier implementation.
In July 2013, the IOC and Saudi Arabia announced a 12-year partnership to host the Esports Olympics. Under this long-term agreement, the kingdom will commit itself to becoming a global esports powerhouse as well as building up its gaming industry.
A major challenge for the Esports Olympics is deciding which games will be included. The IOC has emphasised that selected games must align with Olympic values, making it unclear whether popular shooter games will be allowed. Titles from genres such as sports simulations, strategy, and fighting games are more likely to be included.
A six-person panel was formed to navigate the complexities of game selection and event structuring. Co-chaired by veteran IOC member Ser Miang Ng and Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the panel is tasked with curating a diverse and inclusive esports programme.
Despite the delay, the “Road to the Olympic Esports Games” will begin in 2025. National qualifiers will occur, leading to regional and international competitions culminating in the 2027 event in Riyadh.
On Sunday, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, HRH Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, met with IOC President Thomas Bach and the President of the SOPC and Minister of Sports, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, in Riyadh. The main focus of their discussion was the cooperation between the IOC and the SOPC.
Thomas Bach has been instrumental in pushing for the Esports Olympics. However, with his departure in 2024, the future direction of the event may be influenced by new IOC leadership.
President Bach said, “There is now an obvious roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games. With the Road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality. This is further evidence of the strength of the IOC and the SOPC partnership in many areas.”
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said, “Today, the journey to the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is clear, with an immediate timeline that works for all parties and sees the Road to Olympic Esports Games start in 2025. With the IOC, there is real momentum, unity and clarity on the way forward, with the focus now on delivering.”
He further added, “Already Saudi Arabia is looking forward to welcoming the world and playing its part to help the dreams of so many esports’ athletes come true. As we see across all sports in the Kingdom, there is real growth and new opportunities to grasp as part of an exciting future for all.”
There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia has gradually become a strong figure in the sports world. Apart from the Esports Olympics, the country will be the venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. These expenditures showcase the extent of Saudi Arabia’s aspirations to occupy a leading position in the world of international sports.
While there is much excitement about the Esports Olympics, Saudi Arabia is facing severe criticism regarding human rights issues. Activists argue that the kingdom is using sports to garner a good image in the world; this act is deemed a sportswashing attempt.
Saudi officials deny these accusations, stating that their investments in sports and esports are part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy and support youth engagement in gaming.
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