In a historic move for both esports and the Olympic Movement, the first-ever Olympic Esports Games will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. This landmark event marks a significant step in bridging the gap between traditional sports and the rapidly growing esports industry. The Road to the Games will officially commence this year, paving the way for the inaugural competition.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made history in July 2023 when it officially approved the creation of the Olympic Esports Games during its 142nd IOC Session. The event will be organized in partnership with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC), reinforcing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global sports and esports development.

As part of this collaboration, the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has been named the Founding Partner of the Olympic Esports Games. The IOC and EWCF will work closely to establish qualification pathways, ensure competitive integrity, and integrate national esports ecosystems into the broader global sporting framework. This partnership aims to foster sustainable growth, expand opportunities for esports athletes, and align esports with traditional Olympic values.

The Esports World Cup Foundation

The EWCF, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to fostering the global development of esports and gaming. It plays a pivotal role in shaping competitive structures and ensuring the sustainability and integrity of esports competitions worldwide. As the driving force behind the Esports World Cup, the EWCF brings its expertise in game selection, tournament structures, and ecosystem engagement, ensuring a well-structured and innovative Olympic Esports Games.

Through this partnership, the IOC and EWCF aim to establish a clear pathway for esports athletes to compete on the Olympic stage, reinforcing the importance of fair play, transparency, and international cooperation in esports.

Saudi Arabia’s growing influence

The decision to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh reflects Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in international sports. The Kingdom has hosted over 100 international sporting events across various disciplines, including esports, football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian, and golf, attracting more than three million sports fans.

Saudi Arabia has also witnessed a significant rise in sports participation, with engagement levels tripling since 2015, reaching nearly 50 percent of the population. The number of sports federations in the country has also grown from 32 to 97, further solidifying its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive sporting culture.

The partnership between the IOC and SOPC was a key topic in a recent meeting between HRH Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, IOC President Thomas Bach, and HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, SOPC President and Saudi Minister of Sports. Discussions focused on the development of the Olympic Esports Games, as well as the broader expansion of sporting initiatives in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking about the upcoming event, IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized the importance of this milestone:

“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. This is further evidence of the strength of the partnership between the IOC and the SOPC in many areas.”

Echoing this sentiment, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal expressed Saudi Arabia’s enthusiasm in hosting the event:

“Today, the journey to the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is clear, with an immediate timeline that works for all parties and sees the Road to Olympic Esports Games start in 2025. Together with the IOC, there is real momentum, unity, and clarity on the way forward, with the focus now on delivering.

Already, Saudi Arabia is looking forward to welcoming the world and playing its part to help the dreams of so many esports athletes come true. Just as we are seeing across all sports in the Kingdom, there is real growth and new opportunities to grasp as part of an exciting future for all.”

Steering the future of the Olympic Esports Games

To ensure the smooth execution of the event, the IOC and SOPC have formed a joint committee chaired by IOC Member Ser Miang Ng and co-chaired by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal. This committee consists of six members, three from each partner, and is currently working on defining the games that will be included in the first Olympic Esports Games.

As esports continues to evolve into a global phenomenon, the Olympic Esports Games 2027 will mark a defining moment in its integration into mainstream sports. The partnership between the IOC, SOPC, and EWCF aims to set a new standard for esports competitions, ensuring that the values of excellence, respect, and inclusion remain at the core of this historic event.

With the Road to the Olympic Esports Games beginning this year, the world eagerly awaits the unveiling of this new chapter in esports history.