The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a 12-year partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia. According to the official announcement, Saudi Arabia will host the first Olympic Esports Games in 2025, with future editions to be held regularly. This announcement follows IOC President Thomas Bach's statement last month that a plan to include esports in the Olympic program would be approved at the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris.
Details about the Olympic Esports Games will be released later. The IOC aims to develop a new structure focused on esports, separate from its usual operations. The official release also states that the IOC will create a new dedicated structure within its organization, distinct from the organizational and financial model of the Olympic Games.
“We are very fortunate 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,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
The IOC's partnership with Saudi Arabia's National Olympic Committee is not entirely surprising, given the Saudi government's involvement in the industry. The ongoing Esports World Cup in Riyadh, supported by the Saudi Government’s Public Investment Fund, features 22 competitions in 21 game titles.
Women’s Representation at the Olympic Esports Games
Despite hosting many competitions, the Esports World Cup has only one tournament for women's esports. In today's announcement, Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, an IOC Member, a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and President of the Women’s Committee, discussed the equal representation of athletes in the Kingdom and her involvement with the Olympic Esports Games.
Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud stated, “Witnessing the growing trends of female participation in esports is very exciting. I had the honor of working towards women’s empowerment in sport and in society as a whole under Vision 2030 and the leadership of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the tremendous positive impact of sport for women and girls. I look forward to the Olympic Esports Games as an opportunity for more female participation from across the globe in a safe and inclusive space.”
IOC President Thomas Bach added, “The Women’s Committee, under the leadership of IOC Member Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud was essential in advancing women’s sport in Saudi Arabia. They worked closely with the NOC of Saudi Arabia to achieve this progress. Having their support to advance female participation in esports is also a valuable commitment. We are looking forward to our cooperation.”
Olympic Esports Games Titles
The IOC has not yet announced which game titles will be included in the Olympic program, or if any of the biggest esports titles will be featured. The next steps for the IOC include selecting a city and venue for the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, deciding on the timing of the event, determining the titles to be included, and establishing the qualification process.
However, the IOC has emphasized that International Federations already engaged in an e-version of their sport will be the first go-to partners for inclusion in the Olympic Esports Games. The same applies to National Olympic Committees that already include esports in their activities.
This suggests that the Olympic Esports Games might follow a format similar to last year’s Olympic Esports Week in Singapore, focusing on traditional sports simulations such as Archery, Cycling, Football, or Basketball.