The First Olympic Esports Games 2025 in Saudi Arabia Delayed

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The first-ever Olympic Esports Games, originally set to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025, has been delayed. As reported by SportsBusiness, the event is now planned for 2026 or 2027. Organizers need more time to establish a suitable hosting and financing model. This delay comes after game publishers raised concerns over the tight 2025 timeline, highlighting uncertainties surrounding game titles, venues, dates, and qualification methods.

According to the Pocketgamer.biz report, the new date for the event is not yet confirmed, but it is expected to be announced later this year. The decision to delay the event will give organizers time to adjust the plans and ensure everything aligns with the Olympic values. As of now, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) have yet to provide specific details about the revised timeline.

The delay follows concerns raised by Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, in 2018 regarding the inclusion of esports in the Olympic Games. At that time, Bach questioned whether the violence in many popular video games was compatible with Olympic values. He emphasized, “We cannot have in the Olympic program a game which promotes violence or discrimination.” Popular esports titles such as Valorant, Call of Duty, PUBG, and Fortnite include violent elements, which have contributed to the uncertainty over which games would be approved for the Olympic Esports Games.

Despite these concerns, the IOC officially partnered with Saudi Arabia’s NOC in July 2024 to propose hosting the Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This partnership, lasting 12 years, will ensure regular Olympic Esports Games throughout the period. The collaboration aims to promote gender equality and engage the younger audience, which has widely embraced esports.

Preparing for a New Era of Competitive Gaming

The delay is expected to give organizers the time needed to finalize the event’s framework, including game selection, while addressing concerns about aligning with Olympic values. As the esports industry continues to grow, the Olympic Esports Games are set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of competitive gaming in the Olympics.

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