Video games are about to become an Olympic sport. The International Olympic Committee announced last week that the first-ever Olympic Esports Games would be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027.
Organizers originally planned to host the event at the end of this year but decided to push the premiere by two years. Officials did not specify a reason for the delay or what game would be featured.
Qualifying competitions will begin later this year.
The Games are a joint effort by Olympic organizers, the Esports World Cup Foundation and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
“There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games,” Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, said in a statement. “With the Road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality.”
Saudi Arabia hosted the Esports World Cup last year, which featured 22 different video games ranging from Street Fighter 6 to Call of Duty: Warzone.
“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,” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal. “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.”
The embrace of esports is Saudi Arabia’s latest foray into the sports world, part of a rapidly growing international effort by the country’s Public Investment Fund. In recent years, the nation has established LIV Golf as a competitor to the PGA Tour, purchased Premier League club Newcastle United and entered a multi-year partnership with the Women’s Tennis Association.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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