The first Olympic Esports Games will take place in 2027 in Saudi Arabia, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced.
A six-member panel has been chosen to select the “disciplines” that will be featured in the inaugural edition in Riyadh, the IOC said in a statement on Tuesday.
The games will take place every two years, rather than every four, as in the case of the Olympics, according to the AP news agency.
The Esports Games were first approved at an IOC session last June and will be organized in partnership with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
IOC President Thomas Bach has said: “There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games. With the road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality.”
“Saudi Arabia is looking forward to welcoming the world and playing its part to help the dreams of so many esports athletes come true,” said the Saudi sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal.
The global esports market was valued at over $4 billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it could grow to nearly $6 billion by 2028.
According to the esportsearnings.com website, Polish esports players have won $30.4 million in 6,682 tournaments, with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive as the top game.
Michał Jankowski was credited as Poland’s highest esports earner, making $3.6 million from his prowess in the Dota 2 game.
The games will take place every two years, rather than every four, as in the case of the Olympics, according to the AP news agency.
The Esports Games were first approved at an IOC session last June and will be organized in partnership with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
IOC President Thomas Bach has said: “There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games. With the road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality.”
The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in global sports, having hosted major events in boxing, Formula 1, and mixed martial arts. The country is also set to organize the FIFA World Cup in 2034.The first-ever Olympic Esports Games will be held in Riyadh in 2027, with the journey starting this year already!
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) February 11, 2025
Find out more here: https://t.co/qhhOQ9KDWI@EWC_EN pic.twitter.com/NtfC85gZLE
“Saudi Arabia is looking forward to welcoming the world and playing its part to help the dreams of so many esports athletes come true,” said the Saudi sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal.
The global esports market was valued at over $4 billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it could grow to nearly $6 billion by 2028.
According to the esportsearnings.com website, Polish esports players have won $30.4 million in 6,682 tournaments, with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive as the top game.
Michał Jankowski was credited as Poland’s highest esports earner, making $3.6 million from his prowess in the Dota 2 game.
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