Olympic Esports Games Could Be Delayed to 2026 or 2027

The inaugural Olympic Esports Games, initially set to take place in 2025, may be postponed to 2026 or even 2027, according to a report from Sport Business. While no official announcement has been made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, discussions are reportedly underway to address challenges related to the event's organization and timeline.

The delay could result from a combination of factors, including the complexity of planning such an important esports event and concerns voiced by game publishers over the slow pace of preparations. According to Sport Business, game publishers and international federations, who submitted their pitches for the event last November, have voiced dissatisfaction over the lack of concrete details regarding key aspects such as the esports program, game titles, host city, and qualification process, which have yet to be finalized.

With the Winter Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games already scheduled for 2026, the report suggests that 2027 could be the more likely target for the esports event, offering additional time to resolve logistical issues and align with the esports industry's tightly packed calendar.

It remains unclear when an official announcement will be made, but Sport Business reports that international federations may receive updates in the coming months. If confirmed, this delay would mark a significant adjustment to what is being positioned as a milestone event in both the esports world and the Olympic Movement.