It has just been announced that Saudi Arabia will become the proving ground for the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This landmark revelation comes off the back of a 12-year deal signed between the IOC and the Saudi Esports Federation. Presently, the Esports World Cup is taking place in Riyadh, but the Olympic Esports Games will be something else entirely.
This is the result of a collaboration between Thomas Bach, the President of the IOC, and HRH Prince Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport in Saudi Arabia.
Making History
The IOC has long toyed with the idea of introducing esports to the Olympic Games, but why do that when you can just create an entirely new event focused on the unique, digital industry?
In a statement on LinkedIn, Ralf Reichert, the CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said:
National teams and pride are still underdeveloped in esports but I am certain this will change over time. This is a big step for the sport, not so much for the short-term impact but the long-term prospect.
This huge deal will see the first-ever Olympic Esports Games play out in Saudi Arabia next year. Speaking on the partnership, the IOC’s Thomas Bach touched on some key concerns about the setting: “By partnering with the Saudi NOC we have also ensured that the Olympic values are respected, in particular, with regard to the game titles on the programme, the promotion of gender equality and engagement with the young audience, which is embracing esports.”
It hasn’t been established how often the Olympic Esports Games will be held, but if it aligns with the traditional Olympic Games, it’ll be once every four years. The full press release is available on the Olympics’ website.
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Have you guys heard anything about Saudi Arabia through one of their ventures buying EVO? I’ve heard something like that with Endeavor and Sony both looking to sell it off.
I hope they have strict laws and punishments for players doing immoral things for those wondering what I mean look at all the horrible things online personalities and e-sports players have done in the last 10 years just look at recent controversies with Dr Disrespect, ProJared, Angry Joe, Faze Clan, EVO 2020, and so many others. People should be banned completely for doing those things. Someone like Leffen for instance ban him all together if he misbehaves.
Will certain titles be banned for not being appropriate like Mortal Kombat, GTA, and things like that? You know games banned in Saudi?