Olympic Esports Games Debuting in 2027, IOC Announces

The Olympic Esports Games will debut in 2027 in Riyadh, the International Olympic Committee has announced, while laying the groundwork for those to qualify for the inaugural event.

The Esports World Cup Foundation will become the founding partner of the Games. The IOC and EWCF will collaborate with key stakeholders to establish qualification pathways, enhance competitive integrity and align the national esports ecosystems with broader global standards.

The International Olympic Committee decided to create the event at its 142nd Session last July in Paris. It is partnering with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee for the Olympic Esports Games.

“There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “With the Road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality. This is further evidence of the strength of the partnership between the IOC and the SOPC in many areas.”

A joint committee of the IOC and the SOPC has been set up to steer the Games chaired by Ser Miang Ng and co-chaired by Faisal. The committee consists of six people and will work to define the games that will be part of the event.

Bach met with Mohammed bin Salman, prime minister of Saudi Arabia, and Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, president of the SOPC and minister of sports, in Riyadh on Sunday.

“Today the journey to the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is clear, with an immediate timeline that works for all parties and sees the Road to Olympic Esports Games start in 2025,” said Faisal. “Together with the IOC there is real momentum, unity and clarity on the way forward, with the focus now on delivering.”