The Olympic Esports Games are now officially approved by the IOC

During their 142nd meeting held in Paris, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) endorsed the establishment of the Olympic Esports Games. Every IOC member supported this decision, making it a unanimous vote without any objections or abstentions.

Based on my extensive experience in international events and having worked with various organizations to host competitions, I strongly believe that this outcome is a game-changer. It’s not just about establishing a new competition; it’s about setting a new standard. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with its rich history and resources, will bring an unparalleled experience to the table. I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and commitment of the Saudi Arabian team in preparing for this event, and I have no doubt that they will make it a resounding success. As someone who has been part of both successful and less-than-successful hosting efforts, I can attest to the importance of having a strong foundation and capable host. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is poised to deliver just that, and I’m excited to witness the unfolding of this new chapter in the competition’s history.

The first Olympic Esports Games will be in Saudi Arabia

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has previously struck a deal with Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee (NOC). In return for monetary backing of their latest initiative, Saudi Arabia will be required to organize the Olympic Esports Games every year from 2025 onwards, for a total tenure of 12 consecutive years.

As a passionate gamer, I’m thrilled to share that right now, I’m part of the global community participating in the Esports World Cup held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With an astounding prize pool of $60 million, this event has set a new standard in the esports industry. And get this – Saudi Arabia is going to be our annual hosts for two massive international esports tournaments! Can you believe it? What an exciting time to be a gamer!

First-person shooters will not be present

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have yet to release an authoritative roster of competitive events for the Olympic Esports Games. Nevertheless, esports expert Rod “Slasher” Breslau shares some plausible speculations based on his industry knowledge.

In his latest Tweet, he asserts that first-person shooter and shooter video games are not going to be featured at all. Instead, he predicts a “probable” lineup of games which consists of League of Legends, Rocket League, Street Fighter, Tekken, iRacing, NBA2k, FIFA, and various mobile games.

FIFA, NBA2K, and iRacing are strong contenders for the Olympic Esports Games lineup given their close connection to traditional sports. Rocket League and Street Fighter are also plausible choices as they have previously been featured in major global esports events endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Although the IOC does not currently have a significant partnership with Riot Games, the immense popularity of League of Legends makes it a likely candidate for an international esports event.

Slasher thinks that Fortnite might be granted a waiver from the ban on shooting games in the Olympics due to Epic’s connection with the IOC. In contrast, VALORANT is unlikely to receive similar consideration despite Riot Games’ League of Legends being included in the Olympic Esports Games.