The International Olympic Committee has announced that the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, will host the first Esports Olympic Games in 2027. The non-profit organization Esports World Cup Foundation will be a partner of the IOC and will assist them in structuring the tournament, selecting video games, and introducing innovations into the Olympic Games, and will also be supported by the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
The partnership was announced at a meeting between Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, IOC President Thomas Bach, and Minister of Sports Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal on Sunday.
Bach stated about the partnership: "There is now a very clear roadmap for the historic first Olympic esports games. With the start of the journey to the Olympic esports games beginning this year, the games are becoming a reality. This is further proof of the strength of the partnership between the IOC and SOPC in many areas."
Turki Al Faisal said: "Today, the path to the first Olympic esports games is clear, with a current timeline that works for all parties and leads to the Path to the Olympic esports games starting in 2025. With the IOC, there is real momentum, unity, and clarity on the way forward, with a focus on delivery. Saudi Arabia is already looking forward to welcoming the world and playing its role in realizing the dreams of many athletes involved in the sport. Just as we see in all sports in the Kingdom, there is real growth and new opportunities to be realized as part of an exciting future for all."
