IOC Approves First Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia for 2025
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially approved the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, with the inaugural edition scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This decision, ratified during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, marks a historic milestone in legitimizing esports within the global sports community. To facilitate this initiative, the IOC has established a twelve-year partnership with the Saudi Arabian National Olympic Committee. The two entities will now collaborate to select the host city and venue, while also finalizing details regarding the event schedule, competitive disciplines, and participant qualification processes. Notably, the Olympic Esports Games will operate under a separate organizational and financial structure distinct from the traditional Olympic Games. IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized that this move aligns with the digital revolution and appeals to younger demographics. Saudi Arabia, which recently hosted the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, views this opportunity as a significant step in engaging its large gaming population, which includes over 23.5 million gamers, nearly half of whom are female.
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IOC Approves First Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia for 2025
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially approved the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, with the inaugural edition scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This decision, ratified during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, marks a historic milestone in legitimizing esports within the global sports community. To facilitate this initiative, the IOC has established a twelve-year partnership with the Saudi Arabian National Olympic Committee. The two entities will now collaborate to select the host city and venue, while also finalizing details regarding the event schedule, competitive disciplines, and participant qualification processes. Notably, the Olympic Esports Games will operate under a separate organizational and financial structure distinct from the traditional Olympic Games. IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized that this move aligns with the digital revolution and appeals to younger demographics. Saudi Arabia, which recently hosted the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, views this opportunity as a significant step in engaging its large gaming population, which includes over 23.5 million gamers, nearly half of whom are female.
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