IOC announces inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia in 2025

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Friday that it is partnering with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia in 2025

The proposal will be made to the IOC Session, which will be held on the eve of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Following the announcement, and the decision which will be taken by the IOC Session, work will begin on selecting a city and venue, the specific timing of the event, the titles to be included, the qualification process for the players and further details.

The IOC said that international federations already engaged in an e-version of their sport that is considered for inclusion in the Olympic Esports Games will be the IOC's first go-to partners. The same will be true for National Olympic Committees that already include esports in their activities.

At the same time, the IOC also announced plans to create a new dedicated structure within its organization, separate from the organizational and financial model for the Olympic Games. In order to address the specific nature of the Olympic Esports Games, the IOC said it would take a different approach with regard to the financing and organization of these Games.

"We are very fortunate to be able 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," the IOC President Thomas Bach said. "By partnering with the Saudi NOC we have also ensured that the Olympic values are respected, in particular, with regard to the game titles on the program, the promotion of gender equality and engagement with the young audience, which is embracing esports."

(With input from agency)