IOC Cancels Riyadh Olympic Esports Partnership, Plans New Model

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia have officially ended their 12-year agreement to host the Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh.

The IOC confirmed on Thursday that the two sides had “mutually agreed” to go their “separate paths”, ending a partnership that was once billed as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 modernization program.

Olympic Esports Games deal with Saudi Arabia ends | Image: IOC

The deal was originally announced in 2024, just before the Paris Olympics, and the first edition of the Esports Olympics was scheduled for Riyadh in 2025. However, that debut was already postponed to 2027, raising questions about the project’s stability.

According to the IOC’s statement, discussions with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) and the Esports World Cup Foundation led to the decision to part ways. Both sides emphasized that they remain committed to esports but will now pursue their ambitions separately.

The IOC said it will “develop a new approach” and “pursue a new partnership model,” taking into account feedback from its “Pause and Reflect” process.

This new direction, the organization explained, is designed “to better fit the Olympic Esports Games to the long‑term ambitions of the Olympic Movement” and “to spread the opportunities presented by the Olympic Esports Games more widely.”

Why the Split Happened

While the IOC didn’t directly cite Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, critics have long pointed to the kingdom’s restrictions on women’s rights and LGBTQ+ communities as potential obstacles to making esports a truly global and inclusive Olympic event. By stressing the need to “spread opportunities more widely,” the IOC appears to be signaling that inclusivity and accessibility will be central to its next steps.

The timing of the split also comes amid scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in gaming. Just weeks ago, the country’s sovereign wealth fund was involved in a $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts, a deal that drew backlash in the U.S. According to reports, some politicians argued the investment was less about business and more about “reshaping public opinion and projecting soft power worldwide.”

Another sticking point has been the type of games included in esports competitions. Saudi Arabia already hosts the Esports World Cup (EWC), which features popular shooter titles like Call of Duty and Counter‑Strike. These games draw millions of viewers and sponsorships, but they don’t align with the IOC’s values, which emphasize non‑violence and fair play. Former IOC president Thomas Bach had previously warned that Olympic esports must respect “Olympic values,” hinting that violent titles would be excluded.

By contrast, the IOC seems more interested in simulation‑style games, cycling, rowing, or virtual sports that mirror traditional Olympic disciplines. That philosophical divide may have been another reason why the partnership unraveled.

What Comes Next

For Saudi Arabia, losing the Olympic Esports Games is a rare setback in its otherwise aggressive push into global sports. The country still has the Esports World Cup, backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which offers tens of millions in prize money and continues to attract top teams. In addition, the Esports Nations Cup will debut next year in Riyadh and is set to run every two years.

For the IOC, this is a chance to reset. Officials have said they want the inaugural Olympic Esports Games “as soon as possible,” and one option could be Singapore, which successfully hosted an esports exhibition in 2023. Veteran IOC member Ser Miang Ng, who played a key role in the original Saudi deal, could once again be central to future negotiations.