RIYADH : The IOC and the Saudi National Olympic Committee confirmed on Thursday that they have “mutually agreed to end their cooperation on the Olympic Esports Games,” marking a major shift in the Olympic movement’s approach to virtual sports. The event, initially planned for 2027 in Riyadh, had already faced delays after its original 2024 launch date was postponed earlier this year.

Saudi Arabia had secured rights to host the Esports Games for a 12-year period starting from 2025, under an agreement announced last July. The plan was championed by former IOC President Thomas Bach, but his successor, Kirsty Coventry, now faces the task of reimagining the project from the ground up.

The IOC said both parties “reviewed the initiative” alongside the Esports World Cup Foundation and agreed to pursue their esports ambitions separately. The committee emphasized that this split would allow it to reshape the Olympic Esports Games “to better fit the long-term ambitions of the Olympic movement.”

The IOC’s Esports Series events in 2021 and 2023 drew criticism from gaming communities for excluding popular titles, as the Olympic body’s “non-violence” rule disqualifies most mainstream competitive games. Ongoing challenges, including negotiating with publishers, establishing national teams, and enforcing anti-doping measures, have further complicated integration of esports into the Olympic framework.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continues to push its own esports agenda. The kingdom hosted the first two editions of the Esports World Cup in 2024 and 2025, featuring some of the world’s most-played titles. The events are part of Riyadh’s broader bid to position itself as a global hub for gaming and digital entertainment.

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