The International Olympic Committee (IOC) just dropped a major announcement: Riyadh is set to host the very first Olympic Esports Games in 2027.
The announcement came during the LEAP 2025 Tech Conference in Riyadh, where Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, shared the exciting news. “It was announced today that the Olympic Esports Games will start in 2027 in Saudi Arabia as its first edition,” Prince Faisal said. He also hinted that this might just be the start of a long partnership with the IOC, with more editions planned over the next 12 years.
This isn’t just about hosting an event—it’s a huge moment for esports and for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan. The country is all-in on becoming a global leader in gaming and tech, and bringing the Olympic Esports Games to Riyadh is a bold step in that direction.
While the lineup of games hasn’t been revealed yet, the hype is real. Gamers everywhere are speculating which titles will make the cut. Will it be team-based MOBAs, intense FPS games, or maybe even some sports sims? Whatever the selection, you can bet the esports community will be watching closely.
This move by the IOC shows how far esports has come. What started as niche competitions has now exploded into a global phenomenon with millions of fans and pro players worldwide. By hosting the Olympic Esports Games, the IOC is giving competitive gaming the recognition it deserves—and giving esports athletes a chance to shine on one of the biggest stages ever.
The 2027 Games are also a huge step in bringing esports even further into the mainstream. Forget the debates about whether esports is “real” competition—it’s here, it’s massive, and it’s only getting bigger. With audiences expected to tune in both in-person and online, this event is set to break records and redefine what the Olympics can be.
Details about the format, the games, and the players are still under wraps, but one thing’s for sure: the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh are going to be a game-changer and is going to be one for the history books!
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