What Games Will Be Played in the 2025 Olympic Esports Series

Patrick_Yu · August 16

What is Olympic ESports?

The Olympic Esports Series, organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is an annual event that combines various virtual sports and video games in a multi-sport format similar to the Olympic Games. Launched after growing interest in esports since 2007 and following an online-only Olympic Virtual Series in 2021, the first edition was held in Singapore in June 2023, with the next event being held in 2025. The series features video games linked to traditional Olympic sports, selected by international federations, and awards winners with gold, silver, and bronze-colored trophies instead of traditional medals. Starting in 2025, it will be rebranded as the Olympic Esports Games and will occur biennially between the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Where will the 2025 Olympic Esports Games be held?

The Esports Olympics will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025.jpg

Starting in 2025, the Olympic Esports Games will be hosted in Saudi Arabia for a period of 12 years, after which the event may rotate to other locations. This decision was voted on during the 142nd IOC Session at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 is poised to be the most comprehensive gaming event organized by the IOC to date.

What games will be played at the 2025 Olympic Esports Games?

The Olympic Esports Games aim to bridge the gap between traditional sports and esports by bringing together a diverse range of virtual sports and video games in an Olympic-style event. This initiative seeks to integrate the growing popularity of esports into the Olympic Movement, promoting digital engagement and broadening the appeal of the Olympics to younger audiences. The event emphasizes competition in virtual sports that reflect traditional Olympic values, fostering global participation and showcasing the skill and athleticism involved in esports.

Games to be Played

Grand Turismo 7 will be played at the 2025 esports olympics.jpg

Here is the current list of games to be played at the Olympic Esports Games, including those featured in the Singapore 2023 event:

Archery: Tic Tac Bow (featured in Singapore 2023)
Baseball: WBSC eBaseball Power Pros (featured in Singapore 2023)
Bicycle Race: Zwift (featured in Singapore 2023)
Chess: Chess.com (featured in Singapore 2023)
Dance: Just Dance
Motorsport: Gran Turismo 7 (featured in Singapore 2023)
Sailing: Virtual Regatta (featured in Singapore 2023)
Taekwondo: Virtual Taekwondo (featured in Singapore 2023)
Tennis: Tennis Clash

This list may expand in the future as the IOC considers adding more popular esports titles to enhance the diversity and appeal of the event. According to esports journalist Slasher, the following games could be added to the 2025 Olympic Esports Games:

FIFA
iRacing
League of Legends
NBA2K
Rocket League
Street Fighter
Tekken

Exclusions

First-person shooter (FPS) games will not be included in the Olympic Esports Games. The reason for this exclusion is due to concerns about the violent content in these games, which the International Olympic Committee believes does not align with the Olympic values of promoting peace and respect through sport. Therefore, there is a good chance that you won’t be seeing the Call of Duty series or Counter-Strike 2 at the 2025 Olympic Esports Games.

Shooters like Warzone will be exluded from the Esports Olympics.jpg

Conclusion

The Olympic Esports Games are an important step in integrating esports into the traditional sports framework. By combining Olympic values with competitive gaming, the IOC aims to create an event that appeals to a wide range of participants and spectators. With its lineup of diverse games and the possibility of adding more popular titles, the Olympic Esports Games are set to become a key event in the esports calendar.

As we look forward to the 2025 Games in Saudi Arabia, it's also important to note other significant events in the esports world, such as the upcoming Intel Extreme Masters events, IEM Cologne 2024 from August 16-18 and IEM Rio 2024 from October 11-13. Sponsored by Acer Predator, these events showcase the growing prominence of esports globally.

For aspiring esports athletes, having the right equipment is crucial. Acer Predator products are designed to provide the performance and reliability needed to compete at the highest levels. Whether you’re training for the Olympic Esports Games or participating in major tournaments like IEM, Acer Predator ensures you have the tools to excel and achieve your best.