The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has pumped the brakes on its first-ever esports event, originally slated for Riyadh in 2027. IOC President Kirsty Coventry told China Media Group the committee is "studying everything" to ensure gaming’s Olympic debut aligns with its values. 🏅
Why the Delay?
Coventry emphasized this isn’t a cancellation but a strategic reset: "We want to be very clear on what we want [esports] to deliver". The move follows scrapped plans with Saudi Arabia, sparking speculation about format changes or new host cities. 🌍
Gamers React
Esports communities are buzzing 🐝 – while some fear lost opportunities, others applaud the IOC for "not rushing the play". With 2.5 billion gamers worldwide, the stakes for this digital-meets-physical crossover couldn’t be higher. 💻➡️🏟️
What’s Next?
Watch for updates in early 2026 as the IOC finalizes game titles and participation rules. Will Fortnite or League of Legends make the cut? Only time – and committee reviews – will tell. ⏳
