In a historic move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the first-ever Olympic Esports Games will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025. The IOC revealed that this groundbreaking event is part of a 12-year partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia.

While specific details regarding the city, date, and qualifications for players are yet to be determined, the IOC expressed its commitment to organizing a special event that upholds Olympic values while embracing the momentum of esports and providing an international platform for its athletes.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, stated, "The world will have an open invitation to join us in 2025 and celebrate this moment together." This significant collaboration with the Saudi NOC was highlighted by IOC President Thomas Bach, who praised the country's expertise in the field of esports and its commitment to promoting gender equality and engaging with young audiences.

The IOC's plans for the Olympic Esports Games include partnerships with leading video game publishers such as Epic Games, Capcom, and Riot Games. It is anticipated that popular titles like Rocket League, Street Fighter, and League of Legends will be featured in the inaugural event.

This announcement has been met with both excitement and controversy. While gamers around the world are thrilled by the inclusion of esports in the Olympic Games, concerns have been raised regarding Saudi Arabia's human rights record. The country has faced allegations of unjust treatment of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia has been actively investing in the gaming industry in recent years. In 2021, Prince Mohammed bin Salman allocated over $3 billion to video game companies Take-Two, EA, and Activision Blizzard. The prince's Electronic Gaming Development Company now holds a majority share in SNK, the developer behind popular titles like King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown.

The IOC's decision to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia signals a significant step for the recognition and integration of esports within the sports world. While debates around human rights concerns persist, the event holds the potential to unite athletes and gamers from around the globe in the spirit of competition and celebration. As preparations for the 2025 games unfold, all eyes will be on Saudi Arabia as it prepares to make esports history.