Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia delayed to 2027

The first-ever Olympic Esports Games has been postponed for two years and is now scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027.

The event was initially scheduled to kick off in the country in 2025. Earlier reports previously suggested that organisers needed more time to establish a new hosting and financing model. 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not provide a reason for the delay, but confirmed that qualification will begin this year while the tournament will take place in 2027 with Saudi Arabia's Riyadh as the host city. 

Moreover, the IOC has also announced the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) as a founding partner of the Olympic Esports Games. The EWCF will assist with game selection, tournament structures, and ecosystem engagement for the event.

A clear roadmap 

“There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games," said IOC president Thomas Bach. “With the Road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality. This is further evidence of the strength of the partnership between the IOC and the SOPC in many areas.”

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal added: “Today the journey to the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is clear, with an immediate timeline that works for all parties and sees the Road to Olympic Esports Games start in 2025. Together with the IOC there is real momentum, unity and clarity on the way forward, with the focus now on delivering.

“Already Saudi Arabia is looking forward to welcoming the world and playing its part to help the dreams of so many esports athletes come true. Just as we are seeing across all sports in the Kingdom, there is real growth and new opportunities to grasp as part of an exciting future for all.”