The IOC Session has officially decided to create the Olympic Esports Games, with the inaugural event set to take place in 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This decision was endorsed unanimously at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris marking a significant step towards a transformative era for Olympic Esports on the global stage.
IOC President Thomas Bach highlighting the significance of this move, stated, "This is truly a new era for the IOC. With the confirmation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution." The IOC's partnership with the Saudi Arabian National Olympic Committee, established for a 12-year term, underscores the Kingdom's strong presence and expertise in the esports arena.
Saudi Arabia's commitment to esports is driven by its Vision 2030 initiative, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which aims to transform the country into a hub for sports and entertainment. HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport, and HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, IOC Member, emphasized the nation's dedication to empowering youth through esports, stating, "Our commitment to esports is simply a reflection of the world our young people live in."
Saudi Arabia has a proven track record in hosting major esports events, having welcomed over 1,700 elite players from 80 countries and attracting nearly four million fans in recent years. With a growing community of 23.5 million gamers, half of whom are female, the Kingdom is well-positioned to host this landmark event.
The announcement follows the success of the Olympic Esports Week held in Singapore in 2023, which paved the way for the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. The event will focus on promoting gender equality, engaging the younger audience, and upholding Olympic values.
Work will now commence on selecting the city and venue for the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, determining the event's timing, the game titles to be included, and the qualification process for players.
