Saudi Arabia has been selected as the host country for the first-ever Esports Olympics in 2025, as confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday.
In an official statement, the IOC stated that it had partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to organize the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in the Kingdom.
The proposal will be presented to the IOC Session, scheduled for the eve of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
The collaboration between the IOC and the Saudi NOC is expected to extend for 12 years, ensuring regular editions of the Olympic Esports Games in the future.
Before this announcement, Riyadh had already been chosen as the host city for the Esports World Cup, set to be held in July and August. The tournament will feature 2,500 gamers competing for a total prize pool of $60 million.
Bridging Gaps
Seeking to bridge the gap between Olympic tradition and attracting a younger audience, the IOC organized an initial “Olympic e-sport week” in Singapore in June 2023. The event included ten mixed-gender category events.
Last October, the IOC established an “e-sport commission” chaired by Frenchman David Lappartient, the International Cycling Union (UCI) president, to explore the potential for a dedicated esports competition.
However, IOC president Thomas Bach has previously stated that he does not consider esports part of the traditional Olympic program.
In a statement, he said, “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.”
Saudi excitement
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed his country’s excitement about being part of this historic event.
He emphasized the honour that comes with participating in the Olympic Games and stated, “We are proud to support the writing of a new chapter in Olympic history that has the potential to inspire new dreams and new ambitions for literally millions of athletes around the world.”
Expanding Presence in The World of Sports
Saudi Arabia has been actively expanding its presence in the world of sports.
In addition to hosting the Next Gen Finals ATP Tour event, the country has organized exhibition matches featuring top tennis players such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and Ons Jabeur.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has attracted renowned football players to its national league and hosted high-profile boxing matches, including the recent heavyweight unification bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
Overall, the decision to host the Esports Olympics in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone, offering a platform for athletes from around the world to showcase their skills in the rapidly growing field of esports.
