Saudi Arabia Is Going to Host First Esports Olympic Games (EOG) In 2025

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has finally revealed the host country for the first-ever Esports Olympic Games (EOG) in 2025 and it’s none other than Saudi Arabia.

The decision came at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, where the IOC entered into a 12-year partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the Esports Olympic Games (EOG).

This long-term commitment looks like Saudi Arabia will remain the host nation for over a decade, with only the specific host city changing for each iteration/season of the event.

IOC President Thomas Bach cited Saudi Arabia’s “great – if not unique – expertise in the field of esports” as a key factor in this decision.

Saudi Arabia has been making significant strides in the esports scene in recent years, with notable investments such as ESL FACEIT, Gamers8, and the recent Esports World Cup (EWC). These efforts have positioned the country as an emerging global hub for competitive gaming.

EOG’s Journey

In the last decade, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made significant efforts to attract youth to the Olympic Games.

Initiatives like the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have introduced new sports and formats, such as 3×3 basketball, indoor volleyball with beach volleyball, futsal football, beach handball, and mixed-team events, to appeal to younger audiences.

The IOC Young Leaders Programme has also empowered young people to promote Olympic values and engage their communities through sport.

To further expand its reach, the IOC has decided to venture into the new rising sector and most favorite among now’s youth, the Esports.

In 2018, Bach was visited in the “Esports Forum” in Lausanne, leading to the formation of the IOC Esports Liaison Group.

Under the leadership of French Olympic Committee President David Lappartient, this group explored how esports could be integrated into the Olympic movement, marking the IOC’s first major step towards esports.

By 2021, the Olympics officially welcomed esports, introducing the first Olympic Virtual Series as a pilot project.

This was followed by the successful Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in June 2023, which attracted over 500,000 unique participants and garnered six million views.

The overwhelming success of these events, particularly among younger audiences, gives confidence to the IOC to go for the full-fledged Esports Olympic Games.

Later in October, at the 141st IOC annual meeting in Mumbai, Thomas Bach announced that they are exploring the ideas to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Game.

A dedicated Esports Commission was appointed, comprising notable individuals from both esports and traditional sports sectors, to guide the IOC President on the event’s nature.

At the end of 2023, the IOC searched for various venues to host this prestigious event. Many speculated that Japan could be the potential country to host the inaugural event due to its long history with traditional Olympic Games and its large gaming culture.

Last month, the IOC finally revealed that they were in the final stage of deciding the host country and taking votes, and now we finally know who it is.

What’s Next for the Esports Olympic Games?

While many details are still being finalized, here’s what we know so far:

• A dedicated structure for the Olympic Esports Games will be established, separate from the traditional Olympic Games model.
• The IOC will collaborate with International Federations already engaged in esports and National Olympic Committees that include esports in their activities.
• The selection process for the host city, venue, event timing, game titles, and player qualification is currently underway.

What Does This Mean for Aspiring Esports Athletes?

For those dreaming of a career in competitive gaming, the Esports Olympic Games open up new opportunities.

Athletes will have the chance to compete on a truly global stage, representing their countries in a way that was previously unimaginable in the world of esports.

This event could potentially elevate the status of professional gamers and provide new avenues for recognition and career advancement.

So Gamers get ready because now you can also bring Gold medals for your country and call yourself the proud Olympians.

What Is the Criticism Surrounding This Decision?

Indeed, the decision is likely to face criticism due to Saudi Arabia’s track record on human rights, LGBTQ rights, and women’s rights.

Recently we have seen that with the Esports World Cup (EWC) as well as when the Esports Awards went in partnership with this tournament.

Critics see it as a Brand Polishing attempt by Saudi Arabia to improve its international image through esports.

With the new event in a basket, Saudi has a busy schedule in the esports scene. Currently, one of the biggest esports events in history – the Esports World Cup is underway in Riyadh. The event features 22 tournaments across 19 titles and boasts a staggering $60 million prize pool.

With new events, the Olympic games calendar is also jam-packed with the Paris Olympics currently underway which will be followed by the Esports Olympics games in 2025 and the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2026 (Dakar 2026).

For more information, visit the official IOC website. And remember to subscribe to Gaming Foodle for more news!