In a rare setback for Saudi Arabia’s sports ambitions under Vision 2030, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Kingdom announced they have mutually agreed to end their 12-year partnership to host the Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh.
The deal, confirmed on the eve of the Paris Olympics, had planned to debut the Esports Olympics in Riyadh this year before it was pushed back to 2027. After seven months under IOC President Kirsty Coventry, both sides decided it was time to hit reset.
Driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—an avid gamer known by his initials MBS—the Esports Olympics was set to become a flagship project blending cutting-edge digital culture with the Olympic spirit.
Saudi Arabia already hosts the annual Esports World Cup, which features popular shooter titles like “Call of Duty” and “Street Fighter” and awards tens of millions of dollars in prize money. But selecting game lineups that resonate with younger fans while upholding Olympic values proved challenging.
At last year’s announcement, then-IOC President Thomas Bach stressed the importance of respecting core Olympic values when choosing game titles. Saudi Sports Minister and Olympic Committee Chair Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal echoed that commitment, promising an event that celebrates the movement’s ideals.
The split comes amid a flurry of gaming investments in the Kingdom. Just weeks ago, the $925 billion Saudi sovereign wealth fund backed a $55 billion takeover of game maker Electronic Arts, alongside partners including a firm linked to Jared Kushner.
Looking ahead, the IOC says it will develop a new approach to the Olympic Esports Games and pursue a fresh partnership model. The goal? Launching the inaugural event as soon as possible with a format that fits the long-term ambitions of the Olympic movement.
Potential hosts could include a return to Singapore, which ran a week-long Olympic gaming exhibition in 2023, or tapping into the Chinese mainland—home to the world’s largest esports audience and revenue market.
For young global citizens, business and tech enthusiasts, and gamers alike, the cancellation marks both an end and a beginning. As esports continues its rapid rise, the Olympic Esports Games will remain a key battleground for the future of competitive gaming on the world stage.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
