Olympic Esports games to debut in Saudi Arabia in 2025

Hussain Almaskati

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially announced the debut of the Olympic Esports Games, scheduled for 2025 in Saudi Arabia. This landmark decision was confirmed during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on July 23, 2024.

IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “With the confirmation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution.” This initiative reflects the IOC’s commitment to embracing new trends and engaging with younger audiences. Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) will host the inaugural event.

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, emphasized the country’s dedication to esports, viewing it as a natural progression in their sports evolution. “Our commitment to esports is a reflection of the world our young people live in,” he said.

HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, an IOC member and board member of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, added, “With over 23.5 million gamers, many of whom are women, hosting the Olympic Esports Games in 2025 is a natural progression in our journey.”

The IOC has already begun planning for the event, focusing on selecting a city and venue, game titles, and participant qualification processes. The IOC will establish a dedicated structure for the Games to cater to the unique nature of esports.

Milestone for Esports

Thomas Bach reiterated the significance of this milestone, stating, “We are entering new ground on a very firm base.” This decision follows the success of the Olympic Esports Week held in Singapore in 2023 and discussions at previous IOC sessions.

The Olympic Esports Games marks a significant step forward for the IOC and the global esports community, promising an exciting and inclusive future for digital sports