IOC confirms Inaugural Olympic Esports Games for 2027; partners with Esports World Cup foundation
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially confirmed that the first-ever Olympic Esports Games will be held in 2027. The announcement follows recent rumors suggesting a potential delay to the event.
In a statement released on February 11, 2025, the IOC also announced that the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the organizer of the Esports World Cup (EWC), will become a Founding Partner of the Olympic Esports Games.
According to the announcement, the EWCF and the IOC will collaborate to establish appropriate qualification pathways and "align the national esports ecosystem with broader global standards." The Olympic Esports Games will also see the IOC partner with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC). Last year, it was confirmed that the Olympic Esports Games would take place in Saudi Arabia for the next 12 years.
The Olympic Esports Games were initially projected to take place in 2025, but rumors had circulated that the event would be postponed to 2026 or 2027. According to a report from Sport Business, the delay was attributed to concerns regarding the format and a lack of detailed information about key aspects of the program from game publishers. Beyond organizational and logistical aspects, there were also reported hurdles in establishing a suitable financial model, which is expected to differ from traditional Olympic Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach stated: "There is now a very clear pathway to the first historic Olympic Esports Games."
"With the Road to the Olympic Esports Games starting this year, the Games are becoming reality. This is further evidence of the strong partnership between the IOC and SOPC in many areas."
The partnership between the IOC, EWCF, and SOPC is expected to create a successful Olympic Esports Games event, contributing to the growth and development of esports globally. However, challenges remain regarding the format, financing, and securing the participation of major game publishers.
These issues will need to be addressed in the lead-up to the 2027 event to ensure its success and establish the Olympic Esports Games as a credible and respected addition to the international sporting landscape.
The announcement marks a significant step in the IOC's engagement with esports, but also highlights the complexities of integrating this rapidly evolving sector into the traditional Olympic framework.
