The inaugural Olympic Esports Games, originally planned for Saudi Arabia in 2027, will no longer take place there after the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC), and the Esports World Cup Foundation mutually agreed to end their partnership following an internal review.
The Olympic Esports Games were first announced in 2023 as part of the IOC’s broader push to integrate digital competition into the Olympic Movement. Initially, Saudi Arabia was set to host the debut edition in 2025, but the event was later postponed to 2027 due to concerns over the format and lack of clarity from game publishers.
Now, after a year of planning and negotiations, the IOC has confirmed that the partnership with Saudi Arabia and the Esports World Cup Foundation has been dissolved. The decision was described as “mutual” and the result of a constructive internal review.
IOC’s New Strategy
The IOC emphasized that this move is not the end of the Olympic Esports Games but rather a reset. According to its statement, the organization intends to:
- Develop a new approach that better aligns with the long-term ambitions of the Olympic Movement.
- Pursue a new partnership model that spreads opportunities more widely across the global esports ecosystem.
- Accelerate the timeline for hosting the inaugural Games, aiming to stage them “as soon as possible.”
This suggests that the IOC is seeking a more flexible and inclusive framework, potentially involving multiple stakeholders rather than relying on a single host nation.
Esports World Cup Foundation’s Position
In its own statement, the Esports World Cup Foundation confirmed that it had “concluded [its] cooperation on this project” after a constructive review. The group thanked both the IOC and SOPC for their collaboration and reiterated its commitment to elevating digital competition on the world stage.
The Foundation’s separate initiatives, including the Esports World Cup, are expected to continue independently, highlighting the growing fragmentation of esports governance.
Why This Matters
This development underscores several key dynamics in the esports and sports industries:
- Geopolitical considerations: Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in esports and gaming as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. The IOC’s withdrawal may reflect concerns about optics, governance, or long-term alignment.
- Publisher involvement: The lack of clarity from game publishers on licensing and participation has been a recurring obstacle for esports’ integration into Olympic structures.
- Esports legitimacy: The IOC’s continued interest shows that esports remains a priority, but the path forward will likely involve greater collaboration with publishers, players, and regional federations.
The cancellation of Saudi Arabia as host does not mean the Olympic Esports Games are abandoned. Instead, it signals a pivot toward a broader, more globally inclusive model. The IOC’s challenge now is to balance the commercial realities of esports with the values and traditions of the Olympic Movement.
If successful, the Olympic Esports Games could become a landmark event that bridges traditional sports and digital competition, offering esports athletes a new stage with Olympic prestige.
In short: the Olympic Esports Games are still coming, but not in Saudi Arabia. The IOC is rethinking its approach to ensure the event better reflects the global esports community and the Olympic Movement’s long-term goals
