Saudi Arabia set to host Esports Olympics starting next year

Saudi Arabia’s bid to become the world’s gaming hub is taking strides after the International Olympic Committee announced a 12-year agreement to host the new Esports Olympics in the kingdom starting next year.

According to The Guardian, after hosting numerous high-profile boxing events in recent years, Saudi Arabia has earned the privilege of staging the Esports Olympics starting in 2025.

It’s no secret that Saudi Arabia is working around the clock to reduce its dependence on oil.

Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, spearheads the oil-rich kingdom’s audacious project, known as ‘Vision 2030,’ intended to help Saudi Arabia diversify its economic portfolio.

The construction of the state-of-the-art Qiddiya City is a centrepiece of the kingdom’s relentless effort to position itself as a protagonist in an unprecedented digital revolution.

Saudi Arabia built a city designed for digital nomads and gaming enthusiasts from scratch earlier in 2024, completing construction that started in 2019.

In addition to the upcoming Olympics, Saudi Arabia is hosting the Esports World Cup, seizing the opportunity to show the world all the wonders of Qiddiya City.

A high-profile two-month event featuring 21 different video game titles is underway, boasting the most lucrative combined prize pool in esports history at over $60 million.

The premier edition of the Esports World Cup, funded by Saudi Arabia’s famous Public Investment Fund (PIF), started on July 3 and will run until August 25.

Fortnite, one of the most popular video games, occupies a special place in the tournament.

Manchester City announced on Saturday that Joshua ‘Cold’ Butler will join North American Esports orgaisation XSET on loan for the Esports World Cup.

Widely considered among the most naturally gifted gamers, Cold joined Man City’s esports team in February 2024 and became City’s first pro player to be crowned FNCS champion shortly after.

However, as Man City failed to qualify for the Esports World Cup, Cold has been granted permission to link up with XSET until the end of the tournament.