First Esports Olympics could happen as early as 2025

Much has been said in recent years about a Sports Olympics, and it can happen already in 2025! The president of International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, announced ambitious plans to hold the event next year, or at the latest in 2026.

Esports Olympics coming soon

During an event in Gangneung, South Korea, Bach revealed that studies for this inaugural event are progressing apace. Although they are not yet completed, the prospects are promising for the games to take place next year.

Japan is leading the race to host this pioneering event, as cited by the Inside The Games website. Discussions between the IOC and Japanese authorities have gained momentum since late 2023, although a final decision is still pending.

Discussions about esports at the Olympics have been going on for some time

This announcement comes in the wake of a series of developments that signal the rapprochement between the IOC and the world of esports. In October 2023, the IOC had already signaled interest in creating the esports Olympics.

At the Asian Games, a multi-sport competition with athletes from all Asian countries, esports are already an integral part of the event. South Korea, for example, won the title of LoL of the competition.

In June 2023, the IOC organized an esports event, the Olympic Esports Series. At the time, only modalities that are not popular in Brazil were included, such as Chess.com, Gran Turismo, Tennis Clash and others.

At that time, Vincent Pereira, IOC esports director, said at Singapore Esports Week that shooter games (FPS) will never be integrated into the Olympics. It is not yet known which games should be included in the list of categories for the possible esports Olympics.