IOC And Saudi Arabia Cancel 12-Year Deal To Host Video Gaming Esports Olympics In Riyadh

IOC And Saudi Arabia Cancel 12-Year Deal To Host Video Gaming Esports Olympics In Riyadh

The IOC and Saudi Arabia have cancelled their 12-year agreement to host the video gaming Esports Olympics in Riyadh, marking a rare setback for a sports project supported by the oil-rich kingdom.

The International Olympic Committee announced on Thursday that they “mutually agreed to end their cooperation on the Olympic Esports Games."

An official Olympic event was planned as a signature asset in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 modernisation programme, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known for his interest in video gaming.

“Both parties remain committed to pursuing their own esports ambitions separately," the Olympic body stated, signalling a reset of the project seven months into Kirsty Coventry's presidency.

The partnership, confirmed just before the Paris Olympics last year, had already postponed the inaugural Esports Olympics in Riyadh from this year to 2027.

Saudi Arabia currently hosts the Esports World Cup, featuring games like Call of Duty and Street Fighter, which posed challenges for the IOC while attempting to engage younger audiences.

When announcing the Saudi partnership last year, then IOC president Thomas Bach emphasised the importance of respecting Olympic values, particularly concerning the game titles included in the programme.

Saudi sports minister and Olympic body leader Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal stated last year, “we are committed to hosting a special event that respects and celebrates the Olympic values."

The annual Esports World Cup in Riyadh awards tens of millions of dollars in prize money and is personally endorsed by the crown prince, known by his initials MBS.

The termination of the Olympic deal came weeks after the $925 billion Saudi sovereign wealth fund facilitated a $55 billion acquisition of game maker Electronic Arts, with one investment partner managed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The IOC plans to “develop a new approach" to the video gaming Olympics and “pursue a new partnership model."

“This approach will better align the Olympic Esports Games with the long-term goals of the Olympic movement," it stated, aiming to “launch the inaugural Games as soon as possible."

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A Saudi-backed video gaming Olympics promised financial gains for sports with established simulation events such as cycling and rowing.

One potential option for the IOC could be returning to Singapore, which hosted a week-long video gaming exhibition in 2023 for Olympic stakeholders. Ser Miang Ng, a veteran IOC member from Singapore, played a key role in liaising with Saudi Olympic officials for the 12-year agreement.

Source: News18
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