Olympic Esports Games confirmed for 2025

The Olympic Esports Games will make history in 2025, taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a unanimous vote.

Image Credit: @Olympics Twitter

Olympic Esports Games 2025 voted at the 142nd IOC Session

During the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Paris just before the 2024 Olympic Games, the IOC endorsed the proposal for the Olympic Esports Games, marking the first time in history for this event.

Moreover, the IOC has entered into a 12-year partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia, ensuring that the Olympic Esports Games will be hosted in the Kingdom for the next three editions.

This decision comes after the successful hosting of the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore last year, prompting the IOC President to request the IOC Esports Commission to explore the possibility of creating the Olympic Esports Games during the 141st IOC Session.

The city and venue for the OEG are yet to be confirmed

The IOC Esports Commission, under the leadership of IOC Member David Lappartient and key esports figures like G2 CEO Alban Dechelotte, has developed a project that integrates esports while upholding the Olympic values, including gender equality promotion and engaging with a younger audience.

Plans are underway to select a city and venue for the inaugural edition next year, with more details to be disclosed in due course.

IOC President Thomas Bach expressed excitement about this new era for the IOC, emphasizing the importance of staying abreast of the digital revolution. He praised the enthusiasm of the esports community for the initiative and highlighted the partnership with the NOC of Saudi Arabia, citing their expertise in esports as a valuable asset to the project.

Saudi Arabia’s involvement in esports is not new, as they are currently hosting the first Esports World Cup. The region is investing heavily in sports and entertainment as part of Vision 2030, a government initiative aimed at enhancing the country economically, socially, and culturally.