Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025 following an agreement announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Gulf state on Friday.
“We are fortunate to collaborate with the Saudi National Olympic Committee (Saudi NOC) on the Olympic Esports Games, as they possess exceptional expertise in esports across all stakeholders,” stated IOC president Thomas Bach.
The games form part of a 12-year partnership between the IOC and Saudi NOC, expanding the kingdom’s portfolio of such events. Last October saw Saudi Arabia launch an annual Esports World Cup featuring popular global games and the largest prize pool in esports history.
Currently underway in Riyadh from July 3 to August 25, the inaugural competition includes 1,500 gamers competing in titles like Call of Duty and League of Legends.
The IOC and Saudi NOC anticipate holding the Olympic Esports Games regularly throughout the partnership’s duration.
The parties’ agreement will be confirmed at the IOC Session preceding the Paris Olympic Games. Once ratified, preparations will begin to select a host city and venue for the first Olympic Esports Games, decide on featured games, and finalise logistical details.
Saudi Arabia: Emerging as a Sporting Hub
Simultaneously, the collaboration between Saudi NOC and IOC aligns with Saudi Arabia’s remarkable sports growth under Vision 2030, aimed at societal and economic transformation.
The kingdom has made substantial investments in sports, including football, motorsports, boxing, and golf. Since 2018, Saudi Arabia has hosted over 100 international events for male and female athletes in esports, football, tennis, equestrian sports, and golf, attracting more than 2.6 million sports enthusiasts.
In August 2023, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund launched SRJ Sports Investments to bolster the sports sector’s growth across the kingdom and the MENA region. The new company aims to acquire and develop new sports event intellectual property, secure commercial rights for major sports competitions, and host significant global events in Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, the Public Investment Fund is reportedly in discussions with multiple boxing stakeholders to establish a league, potentially reshaping the sport’s competitive landscape.
