The Olympic Esports Games, initially slated for 2025, has been postponed and will now take place in 2026-2027. Originally scheduled to occur in Saudi Arabia, the event's new dates are yet to be finalized. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made this decision due to the immense task of organizing an esports tournament on an Olympic scale. Both the IOC and the International Esports Federation (IESF) require additional time to ensure everything is in place.
Several key challenges have contributed to this delay. Firstly, there is still no finalized list of games, confirmed venues, or concrete dates. Secondly, establishing a fair qualification system for players globally remains a significant hurdle. Additionally, game publishers have expressed concerns about the tight deadline, further complicating preparations.
Moving forward, the committees face the task of selecting appropriate game titles, securing venues, designing a fair qualification process, and obtaining the necessary funding. The Olympic Esports Games aims to provide esports with a prestigious platform akin to the world's most significant sporting events. If the additional time results in a better-organized, more polished competition worthy of the Olympic name, the wait could be justified.
For those interested in learning more about the event, the official website of the IOC offers further information. Before you go, don't miss our coverage on "Taking on Hordes of Enemy Classmates in School Hero," a new beat 'em up game.
