The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) have cancelled their Olympic Esports Games partnership.
As a result of the cancellation, the IOC and the Esports World Cup Foundation have mutually agreed to end collaboration on the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, which was set to take place in 2027.
According to a release, the IOC and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee have continued to discuss plans for the Olympic Esports Games over the last 12 months.
The IOC stated the cancellation of its 12-year partnership with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Commitee will enable it to better fit ‘the Olympic Esports Games to the long-term ambitions of the Olympic Movement’.
Additionally, the decision notes that the Esports World Cup Foundation and the IOC will pursue ‘their own esports ambitions on separate paths.’
Without the involvement of the SOPC and the Esports World Cup Foundation, the IOC reveals that it will develop ‘a new approach’ to the Olympic Esports Games in addition to creating a new partnership model with interested parties.
After revealing plans to create the Olympic Esports Games in October 2023, the IOC has continued to discuss the initiative. In June, it hosted a Publisher and Developer Forum with the aim of helping design a framework for the event.
What Happens Next?
Following the cancellation of the partnership, the IOC seemingly remains committed to hosting the Olympic Esports Games. However, the date is now in question with the organiser highlighting that it plans to deliver the inaugural Games ‘as soon as possible’.
The IOC also stated: “The IOC, for its part, will develop a new approach to the Olympic Esports Games, taking the feedback from the ‘Pause and Reflect’ process into account, and pursue a new partnership model.”
For the Esports World Cup Foundation, the Saudi-based tournament organiser already has its own national tournament taking place in 2026.
The Esports Nations Cup debuts next year in Riyadh and will take place every two years.
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