IOC and Saudi Arabia Cancel 12-Year Deal to Host Olympic Esports Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee have announced the cancellation of their 12-year agreement to host the Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh. The partnership, once hailed as a big leap for esports under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, now sees both parties moving forward separately in their quest to shape competitive gaming’s global future.

Why Was the IOC-Saudi Arabia Esports Deal Cancelled?

The decision to end cooperation appears to be mutual and follows several months of review and debate. The IOC cited the need to better align the Olympic Esports Games with the long-term ambitions of the Olympic movement and to develop a new partnership structure.

• The partnership, signed just before the Paris Olympics, aimed to bring Olympic-level esports to Saudi Arabia for 12 years.
• The inaugural event, originally scheduled for Riyadh, had already been postponed from its planned launch to 2027.
• IOC president Kirsty Coventry and other officials stressed the importance of “respecting Olympic values,” especially concerning the types of games included, a challenge given the shooter-heavy lineup of the Saudi-hosted Esports World Cup.

What Happens Next for Olympic Esports?

Both the IOC and the Esports World Cup Foundation will now pursue their own ambitions “on separate paths.” The IOC says it will launch a new structure for the Olympic Esports Games and seek new partnerships.

• The goal: host the first Olympic Esports Games as soon as possible, with a more inclusive and Olympic-aligned approach.
• The IOC will incorporate feedback from its recent “Pause and Reflect” process and a forum hosted with game publishers and developers, which aimed to develop a better event framework.
• The cancellation opens up possibilities for alternative host countries. Singapore, which previously hosted an Olympic esports week in 2023, may be reconsidered as a venue, with experienced IOC members there ready to steer new talks.

Impact on Saudi Esports Ambitions

While the Olympic partnership ends, Saudi Arabia remains a major force in global esports:

• The nation already hosts the annual Esports World Cup in Riyadh, boasting huge prize pools for games like Call of Duty and Counter-Strike.
• Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has made major investments, including a $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts.
• In 2026, Riyadh will debut the Esports Nations Cup, held every two years, as part of its own esports agenda.

Well, the cancellation of the 12-year IOC-Saudi partnership marks a big change for the Olympic Esports Games, but it also opens the door for new hosts, new rules, and a more player-focused approach.