The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has "unanimously" decided to start the Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
The esports community and competitive gaming are about to make a huge leap as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has voted a unanimous "yes" to start the Olympic Esports Games (OEG). This big decision happened during the 142nd IOC Session, and it was revealed that the first event will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
IOC Voted "Yes" for Olympic Esports Games 2025 Debut
The idea of adding esports to the Olympics has been considered for several years, and some serious efforts started in 2018. Now, at the recent IOC Session, President Thomas Bach suggested creating the OEG, and the proposal was approved unanimously, without any opposition or abstention.
Saudi Arabia will host the first Olympic Esports Games and the country's National Olympic Committee has signed a 12-year deal with the IOC to hold this event, showing their dedication to becoming a major center for esports.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said he is excited and sees hosting the OEG as a natural step in Saudi Arabia's efforts to connect with the world.
A HISTORIC VOTE! The 142nd IOC Session votes for the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. Mark the date pic.twitter.com/CPRrwrirba
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) July 23, 2024
Well, the Olympic Esports Games (OEG) is a big step for the esports industry, showing that esports is now seen as a real form of competition and entertainment.
Gen.G CEO Arnold Hur also said that bringing esports to the Olympics could lead to more government and educational support, providing more resources and opportunities for esports players and fans all over the world.
What to Expect from Olympic Esports Games?
While the specific details regarding the game titles and schedule for the Olympic Esports Games (OEG) haven't been announced yet, it is expected to feature popular games like League of Legends, Rocket League, Street Fighter, Tekken, iRacing, NBA 2K, FIFA, and various mobile games. However, shooter games like Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty won't be included.
The planning for the OEG will start right away, focusing on choosing a city and venue, selecting game titles, and setting up the qualification process for players. The IOC will also create a special structure for the OEG, different from the traditional Olympics, to better fit the esports world.
With more than 23.5 million gamers in Saudi Arabia, including many women, the country is a great choice to host the first Olympic Esports Games. The event is expected to attract a lot of participants and viewers from around the world.
President Thomas Bach said that starting the Olympic Esports Games shows how appealing and valuable the Olympic brand is to young people. So, the IOC wants to stay updated with the digital age and connect with the esports community.
In summary, the IOC's decision to start the Olympic Esports Games is a historic moment for both the Olympics and esports. Saudi Arabia will host its first event in 2025, and the world is excited to see this mix of traditional sports and competitive gaming.