Since 2018, the IOC has been fully engaged in games, culminating in the 2023 Olympic Esports Week. Due to the game’s success, the IOC President asked the IOC Esports Commission during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India, in October 2023 to explore the development of the Olympic Esports Games. The Commission developed a task that respects Olympic values while upholding the objectives of the games area under the direction of IOC Member David Lappartient. This is especially true for esports headings, gender equality advertising, and relationship with the younger audience.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, commented,” Kudos to Vision 2030 introduced by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, games in Saudi Arabia have a rich history, an interesting present, and a promising prospect. Our gaming commitments reflect the world in which young people live, and we now have the opportunity to compile new Olympic record, invoking fresh ambitions and dreams for thousands of athletes around the world.
We think that any athlete should be the best sportsman,” the statement read. In order to promote the Olympic spirit and the best system for new heroes to conduct, we are dedicated to doing so. In 2025, we are eager to welcome the world’s largest esports area to the Kingdom.
IOC Member HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, even a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and President of the Women’s Committee, added,” The history of soccer in Saudi Arabia is one of change. It aims to improve the Arabian people’s possible, harness their love of sport, and raise their quality of life. Vision 2030, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016, has led to more than 150 changes transforming society, empowering ladies and children. As a society, we have over 23.5 million players, almost half of whom are feminine. Years of experience in the games sector. Our goal is to open Saudi Arabia to the earth and vice versa by hosting the Olympic Esports Games in 2025.
The job was jointly presented to the IOC program by Prince Abdulaziz and Princess Reema.
Over 1,700 elite participants from more than 80 nations have gathered in Saudi Arabia over the past two decades through key international competitions, including the annual Esports World Cup. Nearly four million followers have watched life events in Saudi Arabia, with an extra 1.3 billion views globally on several streaming platforms, more highlighting its opening credentials. About 67 % of the Royal people consider themselves players, with an increasing number, now 100, of skilled games participants pursuing full-time jobs.
Saudi Arabia’s sport scene is witnessing considerable progress, and the IOC and NOC of Saudi Arabia have partnered. The Kingdom has hosted over 100 global events for both male and female athletes, including esports, sports, motorsports, sport, horse, and sport, drawing over 2.6 million sports fans.
General sports participation has more than tripled since 2015, reaching almost 50 % of the country’s people. In addition, there are now fewer than three sporting federations, down from 32 to 98.
Women’s activities have especially seen rapid progress. There are now over 330, 000 registered female sports and almost 40 children’s national teams competing worldwide. Along with activities participation, changes in laws ensure female picture on the sheets of all sports federations, with over 100 women then appointed, including seven adult league presidents. Additionally, both male and female athletes are paid the same for their respective national competitions.
Following today’s decision, work will begin immediately on selecting a city and venue for the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, the timing of the event, the included game titles, the qualification process for players, and further details.
Simultaneously, the IOC will establish a new dedicated structure within its organization, distinct from the organizational and financial model of the Olympic Games. The IOC will take a different approach to funding and organizing these Games in order to reflect the unique nature of the Olympic Esports Games.
The IOC emphasized that international associations that are already developing an e-version of their sport that are eligible for Olympic Esports Games participation will be its main partners. National Olympic Committees that already include esports in their activities do the same thing.
