PARIS: The International Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday that the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
The international Olympic body unanimously endorsed the proposal by the executive board during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris.
The Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said: “Thanks to Vision 2030, introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, esports in Saudi Arabia already have a rich past, an exciting present and a promising future.
“And the reason why, is the same reason why we are investing across all sports — our young people. Our commitment to esports is simply a reflection of the world our young people live in, and we now all have the chance to write new Olympic history together: The chance to inspire new dreams and new ambitions for literally millions of athletes around the world.”
Saudis believe that taking part in the Olympics is the ultimate honor for any athlete, he said, adding: “That is why we are committed to providing the ultimate platform for new heroes to perform, and for the Olympic spirit to be shared.
“Together we all share the prospect of instilling Olympic values in new and innovative ways. And we look forward to welcoming the global esports community to the Kingdom in 2025.”
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “This is truly a new era for the IOC. With the confirmation by the IOC Session of the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution.
“The esports community, represented in our Esports Commission, has enthusiastically engaged with this initiative. This is further proof of the attractivity of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for among young people.”
He stressed that the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia will bring great, if not unique, experience in the field of esports to the project.
He said: “This partnership is based on the Olympic Charter and the Olympic values.”
The IOC has been engaging with esports since 2018 in a holistic way. This culminated in the organization of the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in 2023. The IOC president then asked the IOC Esports Commission at the 141st IOC Session in India, in October 2023, to look into the creation of the Olympic Esports Games.
The commission, under the leadership of IOC member David Lappartient, devised a project which addressed the interests of the esports community while respecting Olympic values.
IOC member Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, who is also a member of the board of directors of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and president of the Women’s Committee, said: “We have been at the very heart of the esports industry for many years.
“We see that hosting the Olympic Esports Games in 2025 is a natural next step in our journey of opening up Saudi Arabia to the world, and the world to Saudi.”
Prince Abdulaziz and Princess Reema presented the project together to the IOC session.
In the last two years, through major international tournaments, including the inaugural Esports World Cup, Saudi Arabia has hosted over 1,700 elite players from more than 80 countries.
Further underlining its hosting credentials, esports events in Saudi Arabia have welcomed nearly 4 million fans to enjoy the live experience in the Kingdom, with a further 1.3 billion views from across the globe on a variety of streaming platforms.
Work will now begin on selecting a city and venue for the Olympic Esports Games, with the timing of the event, the titles to be included, the qualification process for the players, and further details to be analyzed.
The IOC will also create a new dedicated structure within its organization, clearly separated from the organizational and financial model for the Olympic Games.
In order to address the specific nature of the Olympic Esports Games, the IOC will also take a different approach with regard to the financing and organization of the event.
The IOC has emphasized that international federations already engaged in an e-version of their sport, that is considered for inclusion in the Olympic Esports Games, will be its first go-to partners.
The same will be true for National Olympic Committees that already include esports in their activities.
First edition of Olympic Esports Games to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025
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First edition of Olympic Esports Games to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025
- Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal says: ‘We look forward to welcoming the global esports community to the Kingdom in 2025’
- IOC President Thomas Bach says the NOC of Saudi Arabia will bring great, if not unique, experience to the project
Historic FIFAe Finals 2024 conclude with two more champions crowned
- Indonesia secure console competition of ‘FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball’, while Minbappe from Malaysia win mobile edition
RIYADH: Minbappe, from Malaysia, and Indonesia on Thursday secured their places in FIFAe history as history’s first champions of this new e-sports title in the growing FIFAe ecosystem.
After two weeks of football e-sports action at the SEF Arena in BLVD City in Riyadh, the FIFAe Finals 2024 concluded with the crowning of the console and mobile champions at the “FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball” evnt.
There were 18 countries competing in the console division in a 2v2 tournament, while 16 countries contested 1v1 mobile edition of the event.
Minbappe from Malaysia won the mobile division after outplaying AN10_Tienes from Morocco in a thrilling final on Thursday.
On console, Indonesia claimed the coveted title ahead of a stacked field, including a win over Brazil in the final.
Saudi Arabia secured the inaugural “FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League” last week.
Hosted in collaboration with the Saudi Esports Federation, the second edition of the FIFAe Finals produced three world champions, with total prize money of $450,000 distributed to the participants.
Saudi Arabia crowned inaugural champion of FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League
- Saudi Arabia triumphs against France in first of 3 FIFAe World Cup finals
- Next to be decided are FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball on mobile and console next to be decided
RIYADH: The first FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League concluded with Saudi Arabia being crowned world champions after four days of intense competition.
As players represented their national teams for the first time on the Rocket League scene, the Kingdom claimed victory over France in the final to take the title and life the trophy in Riyadh at the weekend.
The winning team was made up of Rw9, Kiileerrz, trk511 and d7oom-24, whose road to success saw them defeat some of the world’s best players and national teams. Sixteen nations took part in the inaugural tournament at the SEF Arena at BLVD Riyadh City.
Saudi Arabia’s triumph will be seen as further confirmation of its growing influence in the global esports scene, with the country heavily investing in the gaming ecosystem as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.
The FIFAe Finals 2024 features multiple titles under the FIFAe banner for the first time. During the course of the event a total prize pool of $450,000 will be distributed across the three world cups.
Attention now turns to the FIFAe World Cups featuring eFootball on mobile and console, both which will conclude on Dec. 12.
Diriyah circuit revealed as one of 3 additions to Formula E Trackmania
- In partnership with game publisher Ubisoft, Formula E will unveil the Sao Paulo, Diriyah and Miami tracks on Dec. 4
LONDON: Formula E has announced Diriyah as one of three additional tracks in the popular Trackmania game.
Sao Paolo and Miami have also been added following the huge success of the inaugural three circuits featured in the game during year one of the partnership with game publisher Ubisoft.
The coming season features six Formula E circuits, with returning fan favorites Tokyo, Berlin and London joined by the new tracks.
Players will also have access to a bespoke Formula E Championship show car livery as well as those from all 11 race teams. Attack mode and energy management systems will continue to be incorporated via a Formula E game mode, with a competitive live race per circuit and cash prizes up for grabs.
A special test race is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 27 so players can familiarize themselves with the tracks and game mechanics before the official season begins.
Starting on Dec. 4, just before Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, the specially designed street circuit will be revealed to Trackmania’s players through a Track of the Day launch, followed by the first official race.
Players will also be able to use 12 car liveries — 11 team skins from Formula E’s Season 11 and an exclusive championship skin.
Sanjay Shivaram, Formula E strategy and business development director, said: “As ever, our aim is to bring our fans closer to the action and as Formula E’s gaming offer continues to grow, we’re thrilled to integrate three new circuits into Trackmania for millions of fans to enjoy.
“It’s important to give fans and players the chance to put themselves in the driving seat and experience the thrill and drama of electric racing themselves. Through launching live races across six iconic Formula E circuits, fans will be able to experience (this) in an alternative, immersive format and take in the action for themselves. With cash prizes and a Grand Winner title to compete for, fans will be able to challenge themselves in their own racing championship and be part of the Formula E gaming community.”
Formula E first arrived in the Kingdom in Formula E’s fifth season and has raced in Diriyah six times. In 2025, the E-Prix moves to Jeddah, taking place on a modified version of the Jeddah Corniche Short Circuit on Feb. 14-15.
FIFAe Finals 2024 to take place in Riyadh
- The tournament returns to the Saudi capital from Dec. 5-12 with a partnership between FIFAe and the Saudi Esports Federation
RIYADH: The FIFAe Finals 2024 come to Riyadh next month, the first time the event will include multiple esports titles.
Hosted at the SEF Arena at BLVD Riyadh City, it will unfold in two stages. Proceedings begin with the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League from Dec. 5-8, followed by two FIFAe World Cups featuring eFootball (on console and mobile) that will run from Dec. 9-12.
Ahead of the tournaments, Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “As we continue to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in esports, hosting the FIFAe Finals 2024 is a proud moment for us. This event not only highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to the esports ecosystem but also provides an unparalleled opportunity for players from across the world to showcase their talent and passion on a global stage. We’re excited to witness the next chapter of esports history unfold right here in Riyadh.”
Players have the opportunity to represent their nations and lift the official FIFAe World Cup Trophy on a global stage. Sixteen nations are competing in Rocket League and up to 18 will go head-to-head in eFootball.
In line with Rocket League’s third-party regulations, the prize pool stands at $250,000. The prize pool for both eFootball competitions (console and mobile) is $100,000 each, bringing the total prize distribution for the FIFAe Finals 2024 to $450,000.
“This year’s addition of multiple new titles marks a major expansion for football esports tournaments, offering players from diverse ecosystems the chance to compete on the biggest stage under the FIFAe banner. We’re excited to continue this momentum together with the SEF and look forward to bringing this event to life in December together with our partners and publishers,” said FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom.
The FIFAe Finals 2024 follow the inaugural FIFAe Next Gen event in Liverpool, England, which included the first-ever FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager, alongside the FIFAe Fame Your Game Cup.
Kingdom’s esports chief ‘proud’ as Riyadh prepares to host 16th IESF World Esports Championship
- Event will bring together more than 50 nations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is hosting the 16th edition of the International Esports Federation’s World Esports Championship in Riyadh from Monday.
The event, which is being hosted by the Saudi Esports Federation and runs until Nov. 19, will bring together more than 50 nations across six major esports tournaments at the SEF Arena at Boulevard Riyadh City.
The championship will feature contests in Counter-Strike 2 (including both an open and a women’s category), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (open and women’s tournaments), PUBG Mobile, and Dota 2.
With over 200 matches set to take place, more than 480 esports enthusiasts are ready to participate and showcase their skills in what organizers hope will be a landmark international event for the Kingdom.
Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “Hosting the IESF World Esports Championship 2024 in Riyadh is another proud accolade for the federation in the Kingdom’s gaming and esports journey to becoming a global hub for the industry.
“We are delighted to welcome all athletes and countries to the WEC24 ahead of what is going to be a fascinating and intense competition.”
The championship’s opening ceremony is to be held on Monday at the main stage of the SEF Arena.
The event will include the introduction of participating teams, highlighted by a flag ceremony displaying the flags of each competing nation. Those attending will also be treated to a look back at the history of the showcase, featuring memorable moments, rivalries, and significant achievements from past editions of the World Esports Championship.
