The Postponement of the Olympic Esports Games: A Necessary Delay with an Opportunity for Change

The inaugural Olympic Esports Games, originally scheduled for 2025 in Saudi Arabia, has been officially postponed. Depending on ongoing discussions, it may now take place in 2026 or even 2027. While some see this as a setback, I believe it’s a necessary course correction. Given the complexities of structuring esports into the Olympic model, this delay allows organizers to build a system that is not only sustainable but also truly representative of global competitive gaming.

Why Was the Event Delayed?

According to reports from SportBusiness, esports.gg, FrancsJeux.com, PocketGamer.biz, and others, the delay is due to several logistical and structural challenges:

1. Undefined Game Titles – No official announcement has been made regarding which games will be included. The IOC’s strict stance against violent games limits the available options, making selection even more difficult.

2. Lack of Clarity on Qualification Methods – Unlike traditional sports, where federations oversee clear qualification structures, many countries lack a centralized esports federation to manage selection fairly.

3. Issues with Scheduling & Venue Selection – With the Winter Olympics and other major sporting events already planned for 2026, there is limited space to integrate an esports event of this scale, regardless of the Esports World Cup happening in the same location, and the two events may have been weeks apart or happening simultaneously.

4. Financial & Safety Model Concerns – Organizers are still working to finalize a sustainable funding and hosting framework, even with the accumulative wealth of Saudi Arabia. While funding has its own challenges so does the safety of players, fans, and especially women and marginalized genders, which was experienced in 2024 in Riyadh.

The Challenge of National Representation in Esports

Beyond logistical concerns, one of the fundamental reasons why this event needed to be postponed is the difficulty of structuring esports under the Olympic model.

A source close to the IOC Esports Committee told me that one of the biggest hurdles is ensuring that teams represent their nations in the same structured way that the IOC desires. Unlike traditional sports, where each country has a well-established Olympic Committee governing participation, esports is still in the process of solidifying national governing bodies.

For example, the United Kingdom has a structured federation through the British Esports Federation and is already collaborating with the Saudi Esports Federation effectually, which would have helped host the event this year. However, other countries, such as the United States, face significant challenges. The U.S. currently has multiple esports governing bodies working to unify into a single entity. Discussions are happening across various levels of leadership, but they are not yet at a point where they can provide a clear Olympic pathway for players. (For transparency, I am a Founding Board Member of USAe | USA ESPORT™)

Unlike the Esports World Cup, where teams and organizations send their best players regardless of nationality, the Olympic Esports Games would require a country-driven model. This is far more complex in a space where player representation has traditionally been tied to organizations, not nations.

Could Game Modes Solve the Olympic Esports Problem?

Paul Bakare recently proposed an interesting solution in his article, Why Game Modes Are Better for the Olympics in Esports, Not Games. His argument suggests that instead of structuring esports Olympics around specific game titles, competitions should be based on universal game modes, such as Battle Royale, Team Deathmatch, or Capture the Flag.

This approach could solve multiple challenges:

• It Unifies Players Across Games – Instead of limiting participation to one specific game, a Battle Royale event could feature players from Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends competing under shared rules.

• It Promotes Longevity – Game titles go in and out of favor, but game modes remain consistent. A well-structured game mode system ensures that the Olympic Esports Games won’t be dependent on a single publisher’s willingness to participate.

• It Aligns with the Olympic Spirit – Traditional Olympic sports (like sprinting, swimming, or gymnastics) have clear event categories with common rules, regardless of minor variations in technique or approach. Game modes would function similarly, allowing different games to fit within an established structure.

A Path Forward for the Olympic Esports Games

If the Olympic Esports Games are to succeed, the industry must take a step back and consider the best model for long-term viability. The postponement provides an opportunity to rethink structure and governance to better fit the unique nature of competitive gaming.

• Esports Federations Need Time to Develop – More countries need to follow the UK’s lead in building national esports governance structures.

• A Game Mode-Based System Should Be Considered – This would make participation more flexible and inclusive.

• Esports Must Have a Distinct Olympic Model – Trying to force traditional sports governance structures onto esports will not work. A tailored approach is needed.

The delay may feel like a setback, but it also presents a crucial opportunity. If esports wants a legitimate place in the Olympics, it must take this time to build a foundation that ensures long-term success.