Olympics Includes Esports in 2027: Significant Updates Revealed About the Competition
Olympic Esports Games Set to Debut in 2027
The world of esports is about to collide with the Olympics as the first-ever Olympic Esports Games are scheduled to debut in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the games will feature non-violent, traditional sports simulations, aiming to integrate virtual sports aligned with Olympic values. Expected games include virtual versions of taekwondo, Gran Turismo 7 racing, chess, tennis, and baseball.
These selections reflect the IOC's emphasis on games that simulate traditional Olympic sports while appealing to younger audiences via digital platforms. The event will also emphasize inclusivity and innovation in virtual competitive formats.
The 2027 Olympic Esports Games will be held from 2027 through 2037, with the IOC partnering with Saudi Arabia to host these games. The event will take place after other major Olympic and multi-sport events, providing esports with a distinct recognition and an official platform at the Olympics for the first time.
In preparation for the qualifiers, players from local gaming communities have started practicing daily on simulation platforms. Motor racing simulations like Gran Turismo 7 will showcase precision and skill development through virtual competition. Chess platforms including Chess.com events provide strategic gameplay that aligns with Olympic mental sports traditions.
Just Dance rhythm games could represent artistic sports categories, combining physical movement with digital scoring systems. Swimming simulations may feature stroke mechanics and race formats that mirror actual Olympic swimming competitions. Archery and shooting sports through ISSF partnerships will focus on precision-based competitions that exclude violent content.
The selection process will identify top talent worldwide, setting the foundation for what promises to be the most inclusive Olympic event in history. In 2023, Olympic Esports Week in Singapore attracted 20,000 spectators and featured 131 athletes from 57 nations competing in ten different events.
Major partners support the 2027 Olympic Esports Games through strategic collaboration, including the Saudi Arabian National Olympic Committee and the Esports World Cup Foundation. The IOC aims to engage younger audiences and promote innovation and inclusivity through digital platforms and virtual competition formats.
The Olympic Virtual Series 2021 was the first official Olympic event centered on virtual sports, featuring five traditional Olympic sports and excluding popular esports titles like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Street Fighter 6. The Olympic Virtual Series 2021 awarded trophies instead of Olympic medals to participants.
As the qualifying events for the Olympic Esports Games commence in 2025, testing various virtual sports across different regions, the excitement for this historic event continues to grow. The 2027 Olympic Esports Games are set to revolutionize the world of esports and the Olympic Games alike.
[1] IOC. (n.d.). Olympic Esports Series. Retrieved from https://olympic.org/olympic-esports-series
The 2027 Olympic Esports Games, striving for inclusivity and innovation, will integrate technology in the form of non-violent sports simulations, such as virtual taekwondo, chess, and tennis, to cater to younger audiences and align with Olympic values. As preparation for the qualifiers, gamers are refining their skills on digital platforms like chess.com and Gran Turismo 7, demonstrating how technology can enhance sports performance and competition.
