The International Olympic Committee and Saudi Arabia have mutually agreed to end their 12-year deal to hold the Olympic Esports Games. The agreement is being terminated just 14 months after it was announced.
Originally, Saudi Arabia had been slated to host the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games. The event was scheduled for Riyadh in 2027 under the now-ended partnership.
The IOC said in a statement: “Recently, the two parties and the Esports World Cup Foundation sat down again and reviewed this initiative. They mutually agreed that they will end their cooperation on the Olympic Esports Games. At the same time, both parties are committed to pursuing their own esports ambitions on separate paths.”
The IOC has for some time been exploring ways to connect with younger audiences via esports. Its traditional viewership is aging. Saudi Arabia has made large investments in global sports events such as soccer, Formula 1, boxing and golf.
The IOC added that it will now “develop a new approach” to the Olympic Esports Games and will “pursue a new partnership model”. The organisation said it aims to hold the inaugural Games “as soon as possible.”
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