The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This event is part of a 12-year partnership with the country’s National Olympic Committee. The host city, venues, dates, and specific games are yet to be determined, as is the qualification process for each event.
Partnership and Games Selection
The IOC plans to collaborate with international federations and national Olympic committees already involved in digital sports and esports. This approach mirrors the trial event held last year, which included competitions in Gran Turismo, Fortnite, Just Dance, Zwift, and lesser-known mobile games.
The IOC aims to include more popular esports titles in the Olympic Esports Games. Reports indicate that the organization is in talks with the publishers of Rocket League, Street Fighter, and League of Legends to potentially feature these games. The Olympic Esports Games may become a biennial event, with South Korea and the United States considering hosting future installments.
Controversy Over Saudi Arabia as Host
The IOC’s decision to hold the inaugural event in Saudi Arabia has sparked controversy due to the country’s human rights record. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in esports and gaming, using entertainment, sports, and esports to improve its global image. The country has poured billions of dollars into esports and gaming companies, formed partnerships with publishers for professional circuits, and is currently hosting the Esports World Cup with a $60 million prize pool. Reports indicate that a state-funded company now owns 40 percent of the esports market.
The Olympic Esports Games represent a significant step in integrating esports into the Olympic movement. However, the decision to hold the inaugural event in Saudi Arabia has raised concerns about the IOC’s commitment to human rights and the potential for the country to use the games for image-washing purposes.
