The first-ever Olympic Esports Games have been rescheduled to occur in 2027

The first Olympic Esports Games, initially set for Saudi Arabia in 2025, will now occur in 2027.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled the plan for these games in October 2023. According to a report by EsportsInsider, the event has been postponed due to uncertainties about the competition's structure and insufficient information from game publishers. Additionally, financial and logistical challenges have contributed to this decision.

Saudi Arabia is still expected to host the 2027 games and potentially the following cycles in 2031 and 2035. The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) will serve as a Founding Partner and will collaborate with the IOC to align national esports frameworks with international standards.

IOC President Thomas Bach commented, "There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games." He highlighted the progress of the partnership between the IOC and the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC).

While esports featured in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, they will be absent from the 2026 event.

Saudi Arabia has increasingly invested in the gaming sector, channeling $38 billion through its Public Investment Fund (PIF). This fund holds shares in prominent companies like Electronic Arts, Nintendo, and Nexon and Capcom.

However, these investments have sparked controversy due to Saudi Arabia's poor record on human rights, particularly its stance on gender inequality and the criminalization of homosexuality, which can result in severe penalties.