The International Olympic Committee’s executive board endorses esports at the Ol

• Esports is now featured in major competitions, including the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022 and Asian Games 2022

The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has proposed the creation of Olympic Esports Games which will be voted on by IOC Members at the 142nd IOC Session during the Paris Olympics.

Discussions are also ongoing on a potential host, with an official announcement to be made soon. The IOC has previously engaged in esports with the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021 and held the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in June 2023, which featured over 130 players. 

The Singapore event also had significant online viewership with over 500,000 participants and six million live-action views, especially among ages 13-34. Esports is now featured in major competitions, including the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022 and Asian Games 2022. 

Esports as a mainstream sport

As players around the globe get set for the first ever Esports World Cup taking place in Saudi Arabia next month with a hefty $60 million prize pool, Carry1st’s Esports African Cup is also kicking off this month which will see players from 6 African countries go head-to-head for a $15,000 prize pool.

Esports will feature in the upcoming Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in November as well as the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games 2026.

NODWIN Gaming co-founder and managing director Akshat Rathee says: “This recent development around the “Olympic Esports Games” further fortifies the dawn of esports as a mainstream sport in international multi-sport events.”

Rathee adds that a partnership with the Global Esports Federation aims to boost esports in emerging markets. New partnerships are expected, with hopes that esports titles will become Olympic medal sports.

SuperGaming CEO and co-founder Roby John comments: “We’re excited to see the International Olympic Committee (IOC) actively considering the inclusion of Esports in the Olympics. This is a major step in recognizing Esports as a legitimate performance sport. By integrating Esports into the Olympics, the IOC acknowledges the dedication, skill, and sportsmanship of this growing field.”