Saudi Arabia could host the inaugural esports Olympics

The Future. The International Olympic Committee has recommended that Saudi Arabia host the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games in 2025. While the plan still needs to be approved, the move shows that the country’s aggressive “sportswashing” strategy has been a success… and the Saudi Arabian market may be the most important customer base in gaming moving forward.

Game on
Saudi Arabia has transformed into the hub for esports.

• The IOC is proposing a 12-year partnership with the Saudi National Olympic Committee.
• The country is currently hosting the inaugural Esports World Cup, which includes 22 events across 21 video games.
• Through a company called Savvy Games Group, Saudi Arabia already controls 40% of the global esports market.
• It’s also building a gaming-focused city, Qiddiya, which will have a dedicated esports district.

It’s all part of Saudi Arabia’s plan to invest $38 billion in the industry by 2030 through its Public Investment Fund, which includes launching 250 new video game developers and creating 39,000 new jobs in the sector.

While Saudi Arabia’s controversial human rights record is well-documented, it’s becoming more challenging for the gaming industry to ignore the country. The industry has recently been struggling around the world, leading companies, gamers, and even the US government to strike deals that incentivize Saudi engagement.