Saudi Arabia will host the first-ever Esports Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee has revealed that the inaugural Olympic Esports Games will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

In a long-term collaboration, the IOC and Saudi Arabia's National Olympic Committee have formed a 12-year partnership, ensuring the event will recur regularly. The exact location and venue are to be decided.

Plans for the Olympic Esports Games were initially announced by the IOC in October last year. Although eSports were included in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, they be excluded from the 2026 edition.

"We are very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, because it has great – if not unique – expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders," stated IOC president Thomas Bach.

Bach added, "By partnering with the Saudi NOC we have also ensured that the Olympic values are respected, in particular, with regard to the game titles on the programme, the promotion of gender equality, and the engagement with the young audience, which is embracing esports."

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been increasingly involved in the gaming and esports sectors, investing $38 billion through its Public Investment Fund.

This fund holds stakes in several companies like Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Nexon, and Capcom.

However, these investments have sparked controversy due to Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record, which includes gender inequality and severe penalties for homosexuality.