The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced it will hold the first Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027.
The IOC is working with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) on the event. EWCF will manage the game selection, tournament structures and ecosystem engagement to drive innovation, said the IOC.
Speaking about the plan, IOC president Thomas Bach said: “There is now a very clear roadmap to the historic first-ever Olympic Esports Games. With the Road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming a reality.”
Esports is a growing opportunity for broadcasters to tap into younger audiences. According to Statista, there are expected to be over 318 million esports fans worldwide in 2025, a significant increase from 215.2 million in 2020. Additionally, some 322.7 million people are forecast to be occasional viewers of esports by 2025.
Details regarding the broadcast rights to the tournament, as well as host broadcaster have not been announced.
