The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in that country.
The partnership is set to run for 12 years, with Olympic Esports Games held regularly in Saudi Arabia.
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The proposal will be made to the IOC Session, which will be held on the eve of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, on July 25.
IOC president Thomas Bach said: “We are very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, because it has great – if not unique – expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders.
“The Olympic Esports Games will greatly benefit from this experience. 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 program, the promotion of gender equality, and engagement with the young audience, which is embracing esports.”
Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, minister of sport and president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, added: “As a ‘first’ ever Esports Olympic Games, obviously there is still much to consider and plan with the IOC, but we are committed to hosting a special event that respects and celebrates the Olympic values while boldly seizing the momentum to drive esports forward with the international platform the sport and its athletes deserve.
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By GlobalData“We are a youthful nation, with over 23 million gamers, embracing the future with new thinking and partnerships.”
The partnership comes at a time of significant growth of sport overall in Saudi Arabia, driven by the country’s social and economic plan Vision 2030.
Last week Vincent Pereira stepped down as head of virtual sport of the IOC. He left the organization after two-and-a-half years in the role, which was newly created as part of the IOC's Olympic Agenda 2020+5 roadmap.
Pereira’s departure comes less than a month after the governing body announced plans to create the Olympic Esports Games.
The IOC will vote next month on the creation of the new competition.
The organization has been looking into esports – and how it can engage with fans through that sector – for several years, with 2023’s Olympic Esports Series itself building on the IOC’s Olympic Virtual Series established in 2021, adding live, in-person finals for the first time.
