The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recently announced a partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This groundbreaking collaboration comes after the IOC established the Olympic Esports Games proposal, which will be presented to the IOC Session in 2024. The partnership will last for 12 years, with the Olympic Esports Games becoming a regular event. IOC President Thomas Bach expressed his excitement about working with the Saudi NOC, stating that the Games will benefit from Saudi Arabia’s expertise in esports and its commitment to the Olympic values.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s support for the Olympic Games and its role in promoting a new chapter in Olympic history. The country has become a global hub for professional esports, with over 23 million gamers and a growing esports community. The partnership reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sports as part of its social and economic transformation under Vision 2030, with a significant increase in sports events and participation levels in recent years.
The growth of sport in Saudi Arabia has been notable, with a surge in sports participation levels and the establishment of numerous sports federations, including the Saudi Esports Federation. The country has witnessed rapid growth in women’s sport, with almost half of the 23 million gamers being female. Women’s participation in sports has increased significantly, with over 330,000 registered female athletes and nearly 40 women’s national teams competing internationally. Grassroots sport is also thriving, with sport being an integral part of the school curriculum for girls and reforms ensuring gender equality in sports representation and pay.
Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, an IOC member and President of the Women’s Committee, emphasized the importance of female participation in esports. She highlighted the positive impact of sports for women and girls under Vision 2030 and expressed her excitement for more female participation in the Olympic Esports Games. The IOC praised the Women’s Committee for its efforts in advancing women’s sports in Saudi Arabia and expressed support for female participation in esports. The IOC will work on selecting a city and venue for the Olympic Esports Games, determining the event’s timing, titles, qualification process, and other details.
The IOC aims to collaborate with international federations and National Olympic Committees already involved in esports. A dedicated structure within the IOC will be created for the Olympic Esports Games, with a different approach to financing and organizing the event. The partnership between the IOC and the Saudi NOC signifies a new era for international sports and esports, showcasing the potential to inspire athletes worldwide and drive esports forward on a global platform. With Saudi Arabia’s support and commitment to sports, the Olympic Esports Games in 2025 are poised to be a special event celebrating the Olympic values and engaging the young audience in esports.
