By Sagar V. Mankar The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has finally revealed the host country for the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025 and none other than Saudi Arabia.
The decision came in 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 Olympic Esports Games.
This long-term commitment ensures that Saudi Arabia will remain the host nation for over a decade, with only the specific host city changing for each iteration 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 the merger of ESL FACEIT and the recent Esports World Cup. These efforts have positioned the country as an emerging global hub for competitive gaming.
How Did We Get Here?
The journey towards the Olympic Esports Games began with the IOC’s first esports pilot, the Olympic Virtual Series, in 2021.
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, paved the way for the IOC to go for the full-fledged Olympic Esports Games.
Later in October, at the 141st IOC annual meeting in Mumbai, Thomas Bach announced that they were finally going to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games.
At the end of 2023, the IOC searched for various venues to host this prestigious event. Many speculated that Japan could be the ideal country to host the inaugural event due to its long history with traditional Olympic Games and its large gaming culture.
Last month, the IOC announced that they were in the final stage of finalizing the host country and taking votes, and now we finally know who it is.
What Can We Expect from the Olympic Esports 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 Olympic Esports 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.
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 as well as when the Esports Awards went in partnership with this tournament.
Critics argue that this decision could be seen as “esportswashing” – an attempt to improve Saudi Arabia’s international image through esports.
Currently, one of the biggest esports events in history is underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event features 22 tournaments across 19 titles and boasts a staggering $60 million prize pool.
For more information, visit the official IOC website. And remember to subscribe to Gaming Foodle for more news!