The IOC says ‘discussions are nonetheless ongoing,’ however it sounds just like the first-ever Olympic Esports Video games could also be delayed, probably till 2027

The Olympic Esports Video games was introduced in 2024 as a collaboration between the Worldwide Olympic Committee and the Nationwide Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia, with occasions held “commonly” over a 12-year span starting in 2025. Nevertheless it now appears like that timeline might have been overly optimistic, as a SportBusiness report says the occasion has been delayed, probably to 2027.

There are a number of causes for the delay: SportBusiness stated on X that “organizers require extra time to determine a brand new internet hosting and financing mannequin,” and that recreation publishers are additionally involved in regards to the “tight timeline.”

To this point, no video games, dates, venues, or qualifying processes have been introduced: The Olympic Esports Video games internet web page nonetheless says that “work will now begin on deciding on the town and venue for the inaugural Olympic Esports Video games, figuring out the occasion’s timing, the sport titles to be included, and the qualification course of for gamers.”

In a press release offered to PC Gamer, the Worldwide Olympic Committee declined to touch upon the reported delay, saying solely that “the group of the primary version of the Olympic Video games in esports is underway.”

“As introduced from the start, there was a have to create a brand new Olympic Video games esports internet hosting mannequin, which is totally different from the Olympic Video games internet hosting mannequin,” an IOC spokesperson stated. “A joint committee comprising the IOC and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee was arrange and met. The end result was nice unity.

“Organizing the Olympic Video games of esports is simply as necessary as creating a roadmap to the occasion, which might want to elevate consciousness of the Video games, promote them and interact members. Discussions inside the Joint Committee are nonetheless ongoing, with the intention of constructing the primary Olympic Video games of esports a landmark occasion each for the world of esports and inside the Olympic Motion.”

So it isn’t official at this level, and the Olympic Esports Video games internet web page nonetheless says 2025 is the go yr, however on the very least it would not sound as if work is transferring forward at a very swift clip. It is nonetheless early within the yr however with seemingly nothing nailed down at this level, I will not be in any respect shocked if the delay is finally confirmed. We’ll let you realize if and when it occurs.