Olympic Esport Games Shall Debut in Saudi Arabia in 2025

Saudi Arabia will be the partner for the first Olympic Esports Games, scheduled for 2025. The partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia will run for twelve years. The final approval will be made at the IOC General Assembly.

It's not really a surprise.  While the Esports World Cup is underway in Saudi Arabia, the International Olympic Committee has unveiled its partner for the Olympic Esports Games. A month ago, it was announced that the creation of Olympic Esports Games would be proposed to delegates at the upcoming IOC General Assembly. Even then, the IOC said it was already talking to a potential partner. Although no name was mentioned, Saudi Arabia was the most obvious choice as the organiser of the Esports World Cup. And that has now been confirmed.

Specifically, the IOC wants to work with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia for a period of twelve years. The games will be held on a regular basis, although no details have been given as to how often they will be held.

"We are very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, because it has great – if not unique – expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders. The Olympic Esports Games will greatly benefit from this experience,"” said IOC President Thomas Bach. And HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said: "Saudi Arabia is hugely excited by the prospect of partnering with the IOC and helping to welcome a completely new era for international sport."

The details of the Games will be worked out once the IOC General Assembly has voted to create the Olympic Esports Games as proposed by the Executive Board. Only then will the disciplines, time periods, etc. be discussed. The IOC will primarily be talking to international sports federations for which sports simulation games already exist. The respective National Olympic Committees are also contacts. However, according to the IOC, new structures would have to be created within the IOC that are clearly separated from the organisation and financing of the Olympic Games. The different approach to organisation and funding would be required to meet the specific needs of esports.