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Inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2027 in Riyadh
The first edition of the Olympic Esports Games will be held in 2027 in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the announcement that the "Road to the Games" will start already this year. This step forward by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) marks a milestone for connecting esports and traditional sports.
At the 142nd session, the IOC decided to create the Olympic Esports Games, while the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) will be their founding partner. EWCF, along with knowledge from the creation of tournaments and standards in e-gaming, will contribute to the development of qualification paths, competition integrity and global harmonization of national esports federations.
The main guidelines were agreed during a meeting in Riyadh, attended by Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, IOC President Thomas Bach and SOPC President Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal. President Bach stressed that the aim is to encourage the development and recognition of esports in line with Olympic values.
Saudi Arabia is experiencing great growth in sports: it has held more than 100 international events, including esports competitions, and the number of sports federations has increased to 97. A joint commission of the IOC and SOPC, led by Ser Miang Ng and Prince Abdulaziz, will decide on the selection of games and technical criteria.
This collaboration heralds a new era for esports as the global gaming community prepares for the historic 2027 Olympic Esports Games.
