The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia have mutually agreed to end their 12-year partnership to host the Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh. This decision marks a significant shift for the IOC’s esports ambitions and a rare setback for Saudi Arabia’s extensive sports development initiatives under its Vision 2030 program.
Key Takeaways
- The IOC and Saudi Arabia have mutually agreed to terminate their 12-year deal for the Olympic Esports Games.
- The inaugural Esports Olympics, originally planned for Riyadh, has been postponed from its initial 2027 date.
- Both parties will pursue their esports ambitions independently.
- The IOC plans to develop a new approach and partnership model for future Olympic Esports Games.
Partnership Dissolved
The IOC announced on Thursday that cooperation with Saudi Arabia on the Olympic Esports Games will cease. This move comes as a surprise, given the significant investment and strategic importance Saudi Arabia places on sports development as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 modernization plan. The Crown Prince himself is known to be a fan of video gaming.
Shifting Esports Strategies
While the partnership was confirmed last year, the inaugural Esports Olympics, initially slated for Riyadh, had already been postponed to 2027. Saudi Arabia already hosts the annual Esports World Cup, a major event featuring popular shooter games like Call of Duty and fighting games such as Street Fighter. These game titles have previously raised concerns for the IOC regarding the endorsement of games that might not align with Olympic values.
During the announcement of the Saudi partnership last year, then-IOC President Thomas Bach had emphasized the importance of ensuring Olympic values were respected in the game selections. Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal had also committed to hosting an event that celebrated these values.
Future Olympic Esports Plans
The IOC stated that it will "develop a new approach" for the video gaming Olympics and seek a "new partnership model." This reset aims to better align the Olympic Esports Games with the long-term objectives of the Olympic movement, with the goal of holding the inaugural Games "as soon as possible."
One potential venue for future Olympic Esports Games could be Singapore, which previously hosted a successful video gaming exhibition in 2023 for Olympic stakeholders. The termination of the deal follows recent significant investments by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in the gaming industry, including a substantial buyout of game maker Electronic Arts.
Saudi Arabia’s Broader Sports Ambitions
The cancellation represents a rare stumble in Saudi Arabia’s aggressive strategy to acquire and develop major sporting events. The kingdom has invested billions in various sports, including football, boxing, and Formula 1, aiming to diversify its economy and enhance its global image.
