Saudi Arabia to Host Inaugural Olympic Esports Event

The inaugural Olympic Esports Games are slated to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025, following a 12-year partnership between the International Olympic Committee and the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia. While the host city and venue are yet to be determined, the games are expected to be held at regular intervals. This development comes after the IOC announced its plans for an Olympic Esports Games in October last year. Although esports made its debut at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, it will not be featured in the 2026 event. IOC President Thomas Bach expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with the Saudi NOC, citing their expertise in the esports industry and commitment to upholding Olympic values, including gender equality and engaging with the younger audience. Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has been actively investing in the gaming and esports sector, with its Public Investment Fund allocating $38 billion in investments, including stakes in major gaming companies such as Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Nexon, and Capcom. However, these investments have sparked controversy due to Saudi Arabia's human rights concerns, including its record on gender inequality and laws against homosexuality.