In a historic move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, with the inaugural event set to take place in 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In its news release, the IOC said the decision was endorsed unanimously by the 142nd IOC Session held in Paris, marking a significant milestone in the committee’s approach to the digital and esports sectors.
The partnership with Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) for organising the Games will span 12 years, reflecting a long-term commitment to integrating esports into the Olympic framework. This collaboration aims to capitalise on the Middle Eastern country’s growing influence in the esports industry and its proven track record in hosting major esports like the inaugural Esports World Cup.
IOC President Thomas Bach expressed his enthusiasm about the new initiative, highlighting the importance of staying relevant in the digital age. “This is truly a new era for the IOC. With the confirmation by the IOC Session of the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution. The esports community, represented in our Esports Commission, has enthusiastically engaged with this initiative,” Bach said.
Complex relationship with esports
The Olympics has had a complicated relationship with esports leading up to this announcement. In 2018, Bach criticised popular competitive titles such as Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Overwatch for their violent content, which he deemed “contradictory to the Olympic values.”
Despite these initial reservations, the IOC has gradually opened up to including esports. In 2021, the IOC sanctioned the Olympic Virtual Series during the 2020 Tokyo Games, featuring “non-physical sports” like Zwift, Virtual Regatta, and Gran Turismo.
Expanding the scope
The Olympic Esports Series expanded in 2023, continued to feature non-traditional esports titles, which caused a disconnect with the broader esports community. The inclusion of these games, while innovative, did not capture the essence of mainstream esports that fans associate with the industry.
Bach acknowledged these challenges, noting that the new initiative aims to bridge this gap. “The validation from appearing in the Olympics could be a boon to investment, but we must ensure that the titles we include align with both the values of the Olympics and the interests of the esports community,” he stated.
Saudi Arabia’s role
Saudi Arabia’s successful lobbying and experience with sporting events have been instrumental in the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. The country’s track record in organising large-scale esports tournaments has demonstrated its capability to host such an event, paving the way for more traditional esports titles to be featured in the Olympic Esports Games.
Saudi Arabia has hosted over 1,700 elite players from over 80 countries in the last two years through major international tournaments. Moreover, 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. Data also revealed that 67 percent of the Saudi population consider themselves gamers, with an increasing number of pro esports players pursuing full-time careers.
“Our commitment to esports is simply a reflection of the world our young people live in, and we all have the chance to write new Olympic history together. The chance to inspire new dreams and new ambitions for literally millions of athletes around the world,” HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee said. “We believe that taking part in the Olympics is the ultimate honour that any athlete can achieve. That is why we are committed to providing the ultimate platform for new heroes to perform and for the Olympic spirit to be shared.”
Prospects for the Games
The IOC has yet to finalise details such as the host city, specific venues, dates, or the esports titles that will be featured. However, the creation of the Olympic Esports Games is a promising step towards integrating esports into the Olympic movement. The initiative is expected to include more traditional esports titles, which could appeal to a broader audience and provide a significant boost to the industry.
Balancing tradition and innovation
As the IOC moves forward with the Olympic Esports Games, the esports community eagerly awaits further announcements regarding the specifics of the event. This new chapter in Olympic history signifies the IOC’s commitment to embracing the digital age and expanding the scope of the Olympic Games to include the rapidly growing world of esports. The challenge remains to balance the traditional values of the Olympics with the dynamic and evolving nature of esports, ensuring that the Games remain relevant and engaging for future generations.
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