Inaugural Olympic Esports Games confirmed for 2027

Following rumours about delays for the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed the event will take place in 2027.

In an announcement made by the IOC earlier today, it was also confirmed that the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the organisers behind the Esports World Cup, will become a Founding Partner of the Olympic Esports Games.

According to the announcement, the EWCF and IOC will collaborate to establish proper qualification pathways and “align national esports ecosystems with broader global standards.”

The Olympic Esports Games will also see the IOC partner with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC).

Last year, the Olympic Esports Games were confirmed to take place in Saudi Arabia for the next 12 years (three Olympic cycles).

Initially set to take place in 2025, the Olympic Games were rumoured to be postponed to 2026 or 2027. According to a report from Sport Business, this was due to ongoing concerns about the format and a lack of details on key aspects of the programme by game publishers.

Aside from organisational and logistical aspects, there have also been hurdles in finding a suitable financial model, which is expected to be different from the traditional Olympic games.

“There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games,” said Thomas Bach, President of the IOC.

“With the Road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality. This is further evidence of the strength of the partnership between the IOC and the SOPC in many areas.”

Saudi Arabia has made substantial moves in esports and gaming recently, including the organisation of the Esports World Cup in the country’s capital, Riyadh.

Aside from hosting the EWC, the country-backed Public Investment Fund (PIF) has heavily invested in gaming and esports companies such as ESL FACEIT Group and Hero Esports. Yesterday, game publisher Riot Games announced a three-year partnership with the EWCF to bring VALORANT, League of Legends, and Teamfight Tactics tournaments to the competition.

Despite the efforts on the investment side, the Saudi-Arabian government has often been criticised due to the country’s human rights record on women and LGBTQ+ communities and its attempts of ‘esportswashing‘.