Last Updated:
The Olympic Esports Games face an uncertain future as the IOC pauses its esports commission, signalling a shift away from earlier ambitions for a 2027 debut.
(AFP Photo)
The much-hyped Olympic Esports Games, once slated to debut in 2027, may never see the light of day.
According to reports from Kyodo Newsthe International Olympic Committee (IOC) has quietly placed its Esports Commission on hiatus, effectively stalling momentum behind the project.
From Grand Vision to Sudden Standstill
The Olympic Esports Games were formally unveiled during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games under then-IOC president Thomas Bach.
The idea was simple but ambitious: create a recurring global esports event under the Olympic umbrella, beginning in 2027.
Back then, the plan had serious backing. Saudi Arabia signed a 12-year deal with the IOC to host and fund the competition — reassuring that this wasn’t just a trial run, but a long-term investment.
But since that announcement, progress has been anything but smooth.
The IOC first pushed the debut to 2027, citing the need for “more time to develop a solid plan and avoid unnecessary risks.” Then, in October 2025, the Saudi agreement was abruptly scrapped by mutual consent, with little clarity offered.
A Shift in Olympic Priorities?
Under Bach, esports had a clear champion within the Olympic movement. But with new IOC president Kirsty Coventry now at the helm, the tone appears to be changing.
Coventry has indicated a preference for strengthening traditional sports rather than aggressively expanding into new territory.
Per Kyodo Newsin a message to commission members earlier this year, she wrote, “I will take responsibility for moving this forward from here on out. In the next phase, we will need a more integrated approach that is firmly aligned with the overall strategy of the Olympic Movement.”
The Old Debate Returns
At the heart of the hesitation lies a familiar argument: are esports truly “sport”?
It’s a debate that continues to divide stakeholders. While esports boasts massive global audiences and commercial appeal, resistance remains within traditional sporting circles — particularly at the Olympic level.
Well, the next step is for the IOC’s Executive Board to meet in Lausanne this week, with its “Fit for the Future” review expected to shape the next phase of Olympic strategy.
For now, though, the Olympic Esports Games sit in limbo.
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
