The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia, has named Saudi Arabia to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025. 

This decision follows the IOC Executive Board’s recent establishment of the Olympic Esports Games, a proposal set to be finalised during the IOC Session on the eve of the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

The partnership, spanning 12 years, will see the Olympic Esports Games held regularly in Saudi Arabia.

“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,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “By partnering with the Saudi NOC, we have also ensured that the Olympic values are respected, particularly regarding the game titles on the programme, the promotion of gender equality, and engagement with the young audience, which is embracing esports.”

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed the Kingdom’s enthusiasm for this new venture.

“Saudi Arabia is hugely excited by the prospect of partnering with the IOC and helping to welcome a completely new era for international sport. We believe that taking part in the Olympic Games is one of the greatest honours any athlete can achieve. We are proud to support the writing of a new chapter in Olympic history that has the potential to inspire new dreams and new ambitions for millions of athletes worldwide,” he said.

“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. The world will have an open invitation to join us in 2025 and celebrate this moment together,” he continued.

With over 23 million gamers, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a global esports hub. Approximately 67 per cent of the Saudi population identify as gamers, with 100 professional esports players now pursuing full-time careers. 

The IOC says women’s participation in sports, including esports, has also surged, with over 330,000 registered female athletes and nearly 40 women’s national teams competing internationally.

Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, an IOC Member, member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and President of the Women’s Committee, said: “Witnessing the growing trends of female participation in esports is very exciting. I had the honour of working towards women’s empowerment in sport and in society as a whole under Vision 2030 and the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the tremendous positive impact of sport for women and girls. I look forward to the Olympic Esports Games as an opportunity for more female participation from across the globe in a safe and inclusive space.”

The city and venue for the inaugural edition of the Olympic Esports Games, as well as the specific timing of the event, the titles to be included, the qualification process for the players, and further details, are still to be determined.