The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have teamed to hold the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2025. This announcement was made today. This historic move comes after the IOC announced recently that the Olympic Esports Games have been formed by the IOC Executive Board (EB). The proposal is scheduled to be presented to the IOC Session on the eve of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The IOC and the Saudi NOC will collaborate for a period of twelve years, during which time regular Olympic Esports Games will take place.
“It is truly a blessing for us to collaborate with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, as it possesses exceptional, if not exceptional, knowledge of the esports industry and all of its players. This expertise will be very beneficial to the Olympic Esports Games, according to IOC President Thomas Bach. “By collaborating with the Saudi NOC, we have additionally guaranteed the observance of the Olympic ideals, specifically concerning the titles of games featured on the schedule, the advocacy of gender parity, and interaction with the younger demographic, which is enthusiastic about esports.”
Biggest development for the entire E-Sports community across the world.
The International Olympic Committee (#IOC) has officially announced a partnership with the National Olympic Committee (#NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. #esports pic.twitter.com/lO5hR9raqS— Skillhub Online Games Federation (@sogfindia) July 13, 2024
Saudi Arabia Embraces Historic Role as Host of Inaugural Esports Olympic Games
The Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee President and Minister of Sport, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, stated: “Saudi Arabia is hugely excited by the prospect of partnering with the IOC and helping to welcome a completely new era for international sport.” One of the greatest honors any athlete can have, in our opinion, is to compete in the Olympic Games. And we’re honored to be part of the beginning of a new chapter in Olympic history that might give literally millions of athletes worldwide hope and new aspirations.
As the “first” ever Esports Olympic Games, there is undoubtedly still much for the IOC to think through and organize, but we are dedicated to putting on a unique event that honors and celebrates the Olympic ideals while audaciously grabbing the opportunity to propel esports forward and give the sport and its athletes the global exposure they deserve. In 2025, we’ll extend an open invitation to everyone on the planet to come celebrate this historic occasion with us.
With over 23 million gamers, we are a young country that is embracing the future through innovative partnerships and ways of thinking. With the backing of Prime Minister and Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, our Kingdom has grown into a major worldwide hub for professional esports. The industry in the Kingdom has a bright future, an exciting present, and a rich history, all of which have contributed to hosting this event. For our young athletes, our nation, and the international esports community, this is a logical next step.
The collaboration coincides with a period of notable expansion in Saudi Arabian sports generally, which is fueled by Vision 2030’s social and economic reforms. Since 2018, the Kingdom has been tasked with organizing some of the largest international sporting events. More than 2.6 million sports fans have attended over 100 international events featuring competitions for both male and female athletes in esports, football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian, and golf.
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Empowering Women in Esports: Saudi Arabia’s Progressive Pathway
Among the 23 million gamers in the Kingdom, nearly half are female, and women’s sports in particular have experienced tremendous growth. Along with approximately 40 women’s national teams competing worldwide, there are currently over 330,000 registered female athletes. As evidenced by the 70,000 schoolgirls who participate in the school football league every week, grassroots sports are also thriving and are an integral component of the curriculum for all girls. In addition to participating in sports, regulations have been changed to guarantee that women are represented on the boards of all sports federations. Currently, over 100 women have been selected, including seven female federation presidents. Athletes that represent their country in their sport are also paid at the exact same rate, regardless of gender.
“Watching the growing trends of female participation in esports is very exciting,” stated Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, an IOC member, president of the women’s committee, and member of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s board of directors. Under the direction of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, I had the privilege of working toward women’s empowerment in sport and in society at large. I have seen firsthand the enormous benefits that sport has for women and girls. The Olympic Esports Games present a secure and welcoming environment for increased female involvement from all over the world, and I look forward to it.
“The Women’s Committee, led by IOC Member Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, was essential in advancing women’s sport in Saudi Arabia,” stated President Bach. They collaborated closely with Saudi Arabia’s NOC to make this advancement. It is a great commitment to have their support in promoting female participation in esports.
IOC Sets Course for Inaugural Olympic Esports Games Preparation
After today’s announcement and the decision made by the IOC Session, preparations will be made to choose a city and location for the Olympic Esports Games, as well as the event’s precise date, titles to be played, player qualification procedures, and other specifics.
International Federations that have already participated in an e-version of their sport that is being evaluated for inclusion in the Olympic Esports Games have already been emphasized by the IOC as their first choice for partners. For National Olympic Committees that already incorporate esports into their events, this will also apply.
Simultaneously, the IOC will need to establish a new, distinct organizational structure within its own organization, one that is unmistakably distinct from the Olympic Games’ organizational and financial framework. The IOC will also need to rethink how these Games are organized and financed in order to address the unique characteristics of the Olympic Esports Games.
