Olympic Esport Games

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic has been the most eagerly awaited event of the year. Over 10.000 athletes from all over the world were welcomed in Paris. From the 26th of July until the 11th of August, each of them  represented their countries in 43 different disciplines, such as basketball, athletics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, judo and many more. This very same year an important announcement has been made regarding the Olympic Games. As the International Olympic Committee is trying to reconcile Olympic traditions with modern forms of sports, it has been announced that the first ever Olympic Esports Game will be held next year in Saudi Arabia. 

“But why the sudden interest to merge Olympic traditions with modern sports?“

According to several studies there has been a significant decrease in the Olympic viewership among teenagers. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics there has been a decline of around 20-30% compared to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Even for the 2024 Paris Olympics the viewership was really low, despite the inclusion of youth-oriented disciplines, such as break dancing and skateboarding, the rate remained low.

Knowing well that the younger generations represent the future, it is essential to ensure the sustainability of the Olympic Games by offering a format that attracts today’s youth. This is why the International Olympic Committee in partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia have announced the organisation of  Olympic Esport Games, which will take place  in 2025.

In fact according to statistics the increase of interest in esports among the younger generation can’t be overlooked. According to a Newzoo report, in Europe,  around  50% of teenagers aged between 13 and 19 years engage in esports, either as viewers or participants. This phenomenon is even more noticeable  in Asia  as deducted by the Creative Content Agency . In South Korea alone over 60% of teenagers participate in or watch esports frequently.

What to expect

The official program for the Esport Olympics 2025 hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s known that top players and teams from around the world will participate in various esports disciplines. The event will feature not just gaming, but also sports simulations and physical virtual activities. You can look forward to a range of popular games, including MOBA games like « League of Legends, » first-person shooters like « Counter-Strike, » and real-time strategy games like « StarCraft II. » Additionally, there will be non-violent games, such as sports simulations and puzzle games, to create a varied and engaging experience for all players and fans.