IOC and Saudi Arabia agree on 12-year deal for video gaming Esports Olympics
Saudi Arabia and the IOC are teaming up for their first commercial deal together with the oil-rich kingdom set to host the first Esports Olympics next year
By GRAHAM DUNBAR
Published - Jul 12, 2024, 10:15 AM ET
Last Updated - Jul 12, 2024, 10:15 AM EDT
GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia and the IOC are teaming up for their first commercial deal together with the oil-rich kingdom set to host the Esports Olympics that launch next year.
The gaming partnership will be for 12 years “with Olympic Esports Games held regularly,” the International Olympic Committee said in a statement Friday. The value was not stated.
The announcement was made during the two-month Esports World Cup being staged in Riyadh.
The first formal hosting or sponsorship deal between the IOC and Saudi Arabia is the latest addition to the kingdom's sprawling portfolio of sports events, including confirmation due in December to stage the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer for FIFA.
