LAUSANNE, Switzerland — In a recent announcement, it has been revealed that the inaugural Olympic Esports Games are scheduled to take place in Riyadh in 2027. This marks a delay of two years from the initial expectations following the signing of a 12-year agreement with Saudi Arabia last year.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) disclosed that its main partner for the event will be the Esports World Cup Foundation based in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration follows the successful inaugural Esports World Cup, which took place in Riyadh last summer and featured a substantial prize pool, with competitions in popular games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Street Fighter.

However, the inclusion of specific shooter games in the Olympic Esports lineup remains uncertain, as the IOC has emphasized that any game choices must reflect the values upheld by the Olympic movement. A six-member committee has been established to determine the games that will feature in the Esports Olympics. This committee will be co-chaired by long-time IOC member Ser Miang Ng and the Saudi Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal.

The confirmation of the inaugural Olympic Esports Games comes shortly after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed a visiting IOC delegation in Riyadh, which included IOC President Thomas Bach, who is set to conclude his tenure in June. This 12-year agreement was made official last July, just before the Paris Olympics, and represents a significant addition to Saudi Arabia’s portfolio of major sporting events as the country prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

During a meeting in Paris, IOC members were briefed on the goal of hosting the Esports Olympics biennially starting in 2025. The envisioned program aims to encompass a mix of “physical, simulated, and electronic games.” Furthermore, qualifying rounds for national teams are slated to commence this year, setting the stage for an exciting addition to the Olympic calendar.