Saudi Arabia Stripped of Hosting Rights for 2027 Inaugural Esports Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Saudi Arabia will no longer host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, originally scheduled for 2027. The decision follows a mutual agreement between the IOC and the Saudi National Olympic Committee to end their collaboration on the event.

The first Olympic Esports Games were initially planned to take place in Riyadh this year but were postponed in February. Saudi Arabia had previously secured hosting rights for a 12-year period starting in 2025, under an agreement signed with the IOC in July of the previous year. The event was initially developed under then-IOC president Thomas Bach and later overseen by Kirsty Coventry.

Smaller-scale Olympic Esports Series competitions were held in 2021 and 2023, but they faced criticism from the gaming community for excluding many popular esports titles. In a statement, the IOC said that after further discussions with the Esports World Cup Foundation and Saudi authorities, both parties decided to pursue separate paths for their esports ambitions.

The IOC emphasized that this new approach will better align the Olympic Esports Games with the long-term goals of the Olympic movement, allow broader participation, and ensure the inaugural Games are staged as soon as possible. The Esports World Cup, which features many popular esports games, held its first two editions in Riyadh in 2024 and 2025 under Saudi organization.

Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global sports has attracted both attention and criticism. Human rights groups have accused the kingdom of “sportswashing,” using high-profile sporting events to divert attention from alleged human rights violations. The Saudi government denies these claims, asserting that its sporting initiatives are conducted in accordance with national laws and security considerations.

This decision marks a significant shift in the IOC’s esports strategy, reflecting an effort to expand participation and integrate esports more effectively within the Olympic movement’s long-term objectives.