The first Olympic Esports Games will be hosted in Riyadh in 2027, two years later than expected when a 12-year deal with Saudi Arabia was signed last year. The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday its founding partner for the event will be the kingdom’s Esports World Cup Foundation.

The country's national esports strategy, launched in 2022, aims to contribute approximately 50 billion Saudi riyals to the economy and create over 39,000 jobs by 2030.

Competitive gaming is finally getting a stage worthy of its global impact: the Esports Olympics will land in Saudi Arabia, albeit two years later

The first Olympic Esports Games will be held in two years in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday, as part of a 12-year-deal with the country signed last year.

The first edition of the Olympic Esports Games, a landmark event both in the world of esports and within the Olympic Movement, will be held in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event is part of a 12-year agreement signed last year between the IOC and Saudi Arabia’s Esports World Cup Foundation, which will serve as the founding partner

The inaugural Olympic Esports Games will take place in Riyadh in 2027, two years later than originally planned, following a 12-year agreement with Saudi Arabia signed last year.