Are the Esports Olympics really happening in 2025?

PM and Editor

Publish Date: July 24, 2024

The International Olympic Committee has made a groundbreaking decision, unanimously voting to establish the Olympic Esports Games as a new pillar of sport in 2025.

Earlier in June, the IOC announced plans to propose the Olympic Esports Games at the 142nd IOC Session, held today as part of Olympic Games Paris 2024. In a landmark decision, the proposal has been approved, paving the way for the inaugural OEG event in 2025. The committee members gathered in a full room and voted unanimously in favor of its approval. Upon inquiry about any objections, the room remained still, with no hands raised to indicate dissent. This makes the previously announced OEG official. This move allows esports games that meet Olympic standards to join the annual sports festival.

But, the OEG will operate independently, with its own management and finances, which may mean some serious differences from the Olympic Games.

Where will OEG take place?

OEG, which is the first esports Olympics event, will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

The IOC announced on July 12 that Saudi Arabia will host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025, building on the country’s experience hosting the ongoing Esports World Cup 2024 in Riyadh. In a long-term commitment, the IOC has secured a 12-year partnership with Saudi Arabia, ensuring the event’s home for more than the next decade.

IOC forms OEG Esports Olympics

According to the IOC, Saudia Arabia is the perfect location to kick-start OEG as it has tripled its sports participation since 2015. Esports has seen a similar treatment in the country, with major esports players like ESL and FACEIT being acquired by the country’s Public Investment Fund in recent years. The decision means that Saudia Arabia and IOC will now get to work to finalize the venue, date, and schedule for OEG, which will be announced soon.

What games will the Esports Olympics include?

IOC hasn’t yet revealed a list of games, but the first Esports Olympics event will be limited to non-violent esports titles. This means games like CS2, Valorant, and Call of Duty will likely be sidelined. Possible titles include Rocket League, NBA2K, FIFA, and more.

Last year’s Olympic esports week faced backlash from the community for featuring games that don’t have a foundation in esports at all. Instead of including popular titles like Dota 2, League of Legends, and more, the event included games like Tic Tac Bow, Tennis Clash, and similar arcade-style sports games.

It remains to be seen what kind of games get fed into OEG 2025, which is expected to be the “real” Olympics for esports.