Archive · 31 Oct 2025
IOC and Saudi Arabia End Olympic Esports Games Partnership
The people in charge of the Olympics and Saudi Arabia have decided to stop working together on a new esports event.
They had been planning this event for a while, but now they've agreed to go their separate ways.
The Olympics committee wants to try a different plan for their esports games so more countries can join in the future.
Saudi Arabia says they will still host their own esports tournaments as planned.
Even though they are splitting up, both sides are still excited about esports and want to see it grow.
The IOC and SOPC have officially terminated their 12-year partnership for the Olympic Esports Games.
The partnership termination also affects the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, initially set for 2027.
Both parties mutually agreed to end their cooperation, citing a desire to pursue independent esports ambitions.
The IOC plans to develop a new approach to the Olympic Esports Games, incorporating feedback for wider participation and long-term alignment.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that its Esports World Cup and Esports Nations Cup events will continue as scheduled.
- Who
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC)
- What
- Terminated their partnership for the Olympic Esports Games and mutually agreed to end their collaboration on the inaugural edition of the event.
- When
- Announced on Thursday, with the partnership ending after 12 years.
- Where
- Not explicitly stated, but involves international Olympic and esports bodies.
- Why
- Both parties agreed to part ways to pursue their own esports ambitions independently and to allow the IOC to develop a new approach for the Olympic Esports Games that better aligns with the long-term ambitions of the Olympic Movement and ensures wider participation.
- Partnership Terminated
- Olympic Esports Games partnership between IOC and SOPC ended
- Original Collaboration Duration
- 12 years
- Inaugural Event Postponement
- Olympic Esports Games initially scheduled for 2027 now in indefinite postponement
- Reason for Split
- Mutual agreement to pursue independent esports ambitions and better align with long-term Olympic Movement goals.
- Saudi Arabia's Future Esports Plans
- Esports World Cup and Esports Nations Cup will proceed as planned.