In a groundbreaking move, Saudi Arabia and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have entered their first commercial deal to establish a 12-year partnership for hosting the Olympic Esports Games. Announced during the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, this partnership aims to make the oil-rich kingdom a global hub for professional esports.

The collaboration outlines the vision to hold Olympic Esports Games regularly over the next twelve years, marking a significant milestone in the gaming and sports industries. This decision follows the IOC's recent proposal to launch video gaming Olympics to engage younger audiences and ensure their retention. The final approval for this deal is expected to come from the IOC membership at their upcoming meeting in Paris on July 23-24, just before the Summer Games commence.

Thomas Bach, the President of the IOC, expressed his enthusiasm about this partnership, citing that Saudi Arabia's expertise in esports would greatly benefit the Olympic Esports Games. He emphasized the importance of maintaining Olympic values, promoting gender equality, and actively engaging the young audience that has embraced esports.

The inaugural event is scheduled to take place in 2025, and the specifics such as venue, event titles, and qualification processes will be disclosed in the due course. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has already made remarkable strides in hosting large-scale sports events, from heavyweight title boxing fights to the creation of the LIV Golf project, and securing future international events like the 2034 World Cup.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed his excitement about welcoming a new era for international sport. He highlighted that Saudi Arabia, with over 23 million gamers, has become a global epicenter for professional esports and that hosting the event will inspire new dreams for millions of athletes worldwide.

The announcement has been met with widespread acclaim within the gaming community. Lokesh Suji, the Director of the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), lauded the move as a significant milestone in the global recognition of esports. He noted that the initiative would provide a prestigious platform for athletes to showcase their skills on an unparalleled stage.

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to shift the economy away from oil dependency by diversifying into sectors such as sports and entertainment. This vision has spurred an increase in various sports events, which in turn has boosted overall sports participation levels to almost 50 percent of the country's population since 2015. Notably, women's sports have seen substantial growth, with nearly half of the country's gamers being female.

Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, an IOC member and President of the Women's Committee, emphasized the importance of advancing women's participation in esports. She noted that women's involvement in sports has been a crucial part of Saudi Arabia's social transformation, boosted by the support from the Crown Prince.

Following the deal's approval, the IOC will look to collaborate further with international federations already engaged in the esports domain. A dedicated structure within the IOC will be established to address the specific financial and organizational needs of these esports games, clearly separated from the traditional Summer and Winter Games models.

The coming years promise an exciting time for the global esports community as this partnership sets the stage for new opportunities and growth in competitive gaming. The successful execution of the Olympic Esports Games will not only boost Saudi Arabia's stance in the global sports arena but will also provide invaluable exposure and experience to gamers worldwide.

With all eyes on this nascent collaboration, the world eagerly awaits the inaugural Olympic Esports Games that promise to redefine the boundaries of traditional sports, marrying innovation with athletic excellence.