Inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia postponed to 2027

The inaugural edition of the Olympic Esports Games will be rescheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027, while the road to the event is set to start this year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday.

During last July's 142nd IOC Session, the Executive Board made a unanimous decision to create the Olympic Esports Games, originally scheduled to be held in 2025.

The IOC has partnered with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committees in organizing the event. The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) will also become a founding partner, with its expertise in game selection and tournament structures helping bridge the gap between emerging esports and traditional sports.

In order to ensure the integrity, sustainability and growth of esports, the IOC and EWCF will work closely with key stakeholders to establish qualification pathways with broader global standards.

"There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games. With the road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality," said IOC President Thomas Bach.

A joint committee chaired by IOC member Ser Miang Ng and co-chaired by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal has been set up to steer the preparations and work to define the competitions that will be part of the inaugural Olympic Esports Games.

Saudi Arabia says it is looking forward to welcoming the world and playing its part in helping the dreams of esports competitors come true, adding esports to the list of popular events in the country, which includes football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian and golf.