Riyadh 2027 Olympic Esports Games

[AustralianFan]

CREATION OF OLYMPIC ESPORTS GAMES

Saudi Arabia 2025

The recent 142nd IOC Session at Paris 2024 created history by unanimously endorsed the proposal by the IOC Executive Board of the Olympic Esports Games.

The inaugural edition in 2025 and also the organisation of the first 12 years of these new Olympic Esports Games will be carried out by the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia.  

“In the last two years through major international tournaments, including the inaugural Esports World Cup, Saudi Arabia has hosted over 1,700 elite players from over 80 countries. Further underlining its hosting credentials, esports events in Saudi Arabia have welcomed nearly four million fans to enjoy live experiences in the Kingdom, with a further 1.3 billion views from across the globe on a variety of streaming platforms.”

”As many as 67 per cent of the Saudi population consider themselves to be gamers, with an ever-increasing number, currently 100, of pro esports players pursuing full-time careers.”

“The partnership between the IOC and the NOC of Saudi Arabia comes at a time of significant growth of sport overall in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has staged over 100 international events for both male and female athletes, including esports, football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian and golf, attracting over 2.6 million sports fans.”

“Overall sports participation levels have more than tripled since 2015 to almost 50 per cent of the country’s population. The number of sports federations has also increased threefold during this time, from 32 to 98.”

City Selection and Venue

The IOC has announced that:

“work will begin immediately on selecting a city and venue for the inaugural edition of the Olympic Esports Games, the specific timing of the event, the titles to be included, the qualification process for the players and further details.”

IOC enters a new era with the creation of Olympic Esports Games – first Games in 2025 in Saudi Arabia

 

Edited February 11 by Sir Rols

[AustralianFan]

Organisation of the Saudi Arabia 2025 Olympic Esports Games

The IOC have also advised that due to the specific nature of the Olympic Esports Games, the IOC will also take a different approach with regard to the financing and organisation of these Games.

The Olympic Esports Series leading up this announcement saw the following Esports contested and may be a pointer to some of the competitions to be expected in the upcoming inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025.

 

Athletes competing in the 2023 Taekwondo Olympic Esports Series:

[Ikarus360]

South Korea, China or even Taiwan made more sense as the inaugural hosts of these eSports games. But once again, decisions are made around who throws more money at Champion in Fencing '76.

[AustralianFan]

2 hours ago, Ikarus360 said:

South Korea, China or even Taiwan made more sense as the inaugural hosts of these eSports games. But once again, decisions are made around who throws more money at Champion in Fencing '76.

Yes just trying to shed some light on the host selection process for these inaugural Games.  Its difficult to find background info on recent host cities of the international federations, including world championships and the Olympic Esports Series.

The partnership between the IOC and Saudi Arabia over 12 years at this stage has the Olympic Esports Games to be held “regularly.”

Olympic Esports Series

• 2023 Singapore

World Esports (ISEF)Championships

• 2024 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (November)
• 2023 Lasi, Romania
• 2022 Bali, Indonesia
• 2021 Eilat, Israel
• 2020: cancelled
• 2019 Seoul, South Korea
• 2018 Kaohshiung, Taiwan
• 2017 Busan, South Korea
• 2016 Jakarta, Indonesia
• 2015 Seoul, South Korea
• 2014 Baku, Azerbaijan
• 2013 Bucharest, Romania
• 2012 Cheon-an City, South Korea
• 2011 Andong City, South Korea

The international esports federations the IOC will work appear to include:

1. World Esports
2. IFeS  (International Federation of eSports)
3. Global Esports  (Global Esports Federation)

[AustralianFan]

correction:   Games every two years, but not finalised

https://gamesbids.com/eng/olympic-sports-bids/ioc-session-approves-groundbreaking-olympic-esports-games-ushering-in-new-era/

[AthleteJames]

This is really good news for the Esports gamers/players.

[Sir Rols]

27 minutes ago, AthleteJames said:

This is really good news for the Esports gamers/players.

It might be if any of the “sports” chosen (apart from perhaps chess) had any sort of following or player base….

And if the Saudis didn’t have their grubby hands on it

Edited November 6, 2024 by Sir Rols

[AustralianFan]

On 11/6/2024 at 12:48 AM, AthleteJames said:

This is really good news for the Esports gamers/players.

Yes and oil-rich Saudi Arabia with their 12 year Host Contract with the IOC  will be able to pour resources into these Olympic Esports Games and get them off to a flying start.

Whar happens after 12 years?  There’s speculation that they may be incorporated into the main Olympic Ganes.  But unconfirmed.

[Sir Rols]

Olympic Esports Games delayed

[StefanMUC]

Awwww…such a pity.

Have they rushed this through because of Saudi $$$ maybe?

[Sir Rols]

12 hours ago, StefanMUC said:

Have they rushed this through because of Saudi $$$ maybe?

That, sand probably Bach wanted a “legacy”. Trouble is he was always clueless and tone deaf about what drives esports.

Hopefully the next president will be one who’ll review the whole lunatic strategy. Look to embracing some popular esports, not the laughable roster Bach has tried to push. Maybe incorporate one or two events into the proper games, rather than subcontractor it out to the Saudis. Those oil despots shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near anything Olympic.

[Guilga]

On 2/4/2025 at 10:45 PM, Sir Rols said:

That, sand probably Bach wanted a “legacy”. Trouble is he was always clueless and tone deaf about what drives esports.

Hopefully the next president will be one who’ll review the whole lunatic strategy. Look to embracing some popular esports, not the laughable roster Bach has tried to push. Maybe incorporate one or two events into the proper games, rather than subcontractor it out to the Saudis. Those oil despots shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near anything Olympic.

And they just got allowed.

https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/inaugural-olympic-esports-games-to-be-held-in-riyadh-in-2027-road-to-the-games-to-start-this-year

Quote

Inaugural Olympic Esports Games to be held in Riyadh in 2027 – Road to the Games to start this year

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, it was announced today.

3 min read|Published on 11 February 2025

EsportsIOC NewsPress Release

 

© Royal Court

 

 

 

The IOC made history in July last year, when the 142^nd IOC Session decided to create the Olympic Esports Games. For the organisation of these, the IOC is partnering with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC).

As part of this cooperation, the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) will become the Founding Partner of the Olympic Esports Games. The IOC-EWCF partnership aims to create a lasting impact, bridging the gap between esports and traditional sports while expanding opportunities for players and teams representing their countries.

As the Founding Partner of the Olympic Esports Games, the EWCF brings its expertise in game selection, tournament structures and ecosystem engagement to drive innovation in the development of the Olympic Esports Games. The IOC and EWCF will collaborate closely with key stakeholders to establish qualification pathways, enhance competitive integrity, and align the national esports ecosystems with broader global standards.

The EWCF is a non-profit organisation committed to fostering the growth and development of esports and gaming worldwide. As the driving force behind the Esports World Cup, the EWCF works to elevate the industry by shaping competitive structures, strengthening the esports ecosystem, and ensuring the integrity, sustainability and growth of esports.

The cooperation between the IOC and the SOPC was the major topic of a meeting between the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, HRH Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, IOC President Thomas Bach and the President of the SOPC and Minister of Sports, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal in Riyadh on Sunday.

 

© IOC/Greg Martin

President Bach said: “There is now a very clear 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 partnership between the IOC and the SOPC 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. Together with the IOC there is real momentum, unity and clarity on the way forward, with the focus now on delivering.

“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. Just as we are seeing across all sports in the Kingdom, there is real growth and new opportunities to grasp as part of an exciting future for all.”

The partnership between the IOC and the SOPC comes at a time of significant growth of sport overall in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has staged over 100 international events for both male and female athletes, including esports, football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian and golf, attracting more than three million sports fans.

Overall sports participation levels have more than tripled since 2015 to almost 50 per cent of the country’s population. The number of sports federations has also increased threefold during this time, from 32 to 97.

A joint committee of the IOC and the SOPC has been set up to steer the Games. It is chaired by IOC Member Ser Miang Ng and co-chaired by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal. The committee consists of six people, three from each partner, and is currently working to define the games that will be part of the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games.

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You cried with Olympics 1: The Revival in 1896, you cheered on with Olympics 2: Winter Weeks in 1924, now get ready for OLYMPICS 3: Eletronic Boogaloo feat. Saudi money (and potential humans rights violations?)

Jokes apart, at least is confirmed, as much as it can, that something is happening in 2027 in Riyadh and the "different fundinig model" was indeed in pratice oil money. Things to look now it's official that the saudis will get their games;

1. Women's participation. This is a point that concerns gaming in general; alongside Saudi Arabia being still being questionable in the matter of womens rights, for similar reasons as chess (mens being weirdos), women compete in separated circuits while the boys compete in so called "open" circuits. The IOC have to icentivize women's participation across open and inclusive circuits, and having equal slots for them at these games would been a boon, liike they have been doing for the summer and winter games. The thing is, how it looks for the IOC when they do this and bring the games to you know...Saudi Arabia? 
2. Human Rights Violations. Other problem is whether they might decide to build new stuff for this thing. Luckily, e-sports doesn't need as much big stadia as their non eletronic counterparts, but you still need a village, and nothing really could stop them if MBS decided to build a olympic stadium just for this. Which leaves us to the kafala system and the conditions of foreign workers, especially those from South Asia. OH BOY, the kafala system. If you wanted to know if the IOC can get away with the same things as FIFA, now is the right time to answer this question.
3. GAME SELECTION. All this will be an embarassment if the IOC keep choosing stuff like Tic Tac Bow in place of League of Legends and Counter-Strike. Although, as an silver lining for now having the E-sports World Cup guys on board as founding partner, they might be the ones who knock some sense in their heads. After all, these had a good selection of games, at the very least. The drawback is that might also be a sign that the saudis might call some shots more then the IOC in this overall, but hey, the saudi money is worth it for them i guess.

Well, as the article says, qualifying starts this year, so we might have answers about if this already flopped on the start. Otherwise, we might have an hell of a ride...