Saudi Arabia Scheduled to Host the First Version of Olympic Games for E-Sports in 2025

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced today that it reached a partnership deal with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) which extends for a period of 12 years, starting with organizing the Olympic Games for electronic sports (e-sports) in Saudi Arabia in 2025, and holding additional sessions later. The agreement is an extension of the series of various global tournaments that Saudi Arabia has recently succeeded in hosting, and an affirmation of its leadership position as a global hub for e-sports.

 In a statement, the IOC clarified that its executive office has forwarded its approval to establish the Olympic Games for e-sports in Saudi Arabia to the 143rd session of the IOC, scheduled to be held in the French capital, Paris, on the sidelines of the Summer Olympic Games. More information about the event is expected to come out following the meeting.

 In remarks on the occasion, Minister of Sports and SOPC Chairman Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal attributed the development to the unprecedented support that sports in the Kingdom enjoys from the leadership of this great nation, and the continuous support and follow-up by HRH the Crown Prince, which has enabled the sports authorities to proceed with hosting such international events.

 For her part, Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, member of the IOC, member of the Board of Directors of the SOPC, and Chair of the Women’s Sports Committee, also paid tribute to the generous support provided by the wise Saudi leadership for the sports sector in general, and e-sports in particular, which has witnessed unprecedented development. She described the partnership between OIC and the SOPC as a historic step enabling Olympic sports to move to a new stage.

 In comments on the occasion, IOC president Dr. Thomas Bach expressed his happiness in partnering with the SOPC to host the Olympic Games for e-sports due to the Kingdom’s wonderful, even unparalleled, expertise in the field of e-sports.