The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially announced the first-ever Olympic Esports Games, set to take place in 2025. This groundbreaking event comes through a partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia and follows a unanimous vote by the IOC’s executive board.
IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the importance of this move, stating it demonstrates the IOC’s commitment to the digital revolution. The games will run for an initial period of 12 years, with events held regularly. Bach emphasized Saudi Arabia’s unique experience in esports, aligning this initiative with Olympic values.
Since 2018, the IOC has explored esports, including hosting an “Esports Week” in Singapore last year. The IOC Esports Commission has worked on how these games can engage the esports community while promoting gender equality and youth engagement.
Saudi Minister of Sport HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal praised Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s initiative to develop esports. Despite criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman openly prioritizes economic benefits, including those from sports investments.
The next steps involve selecting a host city, finalizing event details, and establishing a dedicated structure within the IOC for the Olympic Esports Games, distinct from the traditional Olympic Games. Saudi Arabia’s significant investments in the gaming and esports industries, including companies like Electronic Arts and Nintendo, underline its influence in this new Olympic venture.
