The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is exploring plans to create an Olympic Esports Games. The announcement was made by IOC President Thomas Bach during the opening ceremony of the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India on October 20, 2023.
“I have asked our new IOC Esports Commission to study the creation of Olympic Esports Games,” he said. “This is a very exciting development for the Olympic Movement and for esports. Esports is a global phenomenon with a huge following, and we believe that it has the potential to be a great addition to the Olympic Games.”
The IOC Esports Commission was formed in 2022 to explore the potential of esports to be included in the Olympic Games. The commission is made up of experts from the esports industry, the Olympic Movement, and other stakeholders.
View this post on Instagram
The creation of an Olympic Esports Games would be a major milestone for the esports industry. It would give esports the same level of recognition and legitimacy as traditional sports. It would also help to promote esports to a wider audience and attract new fans.
The IOC has not yet announced any specific details about the Olympic Esports Games, such as when or where they would be held. However, Bach said that the IOC is working with the esports industry to develop a plan for the Games.
The news of the IOC’s plans to create an Olympic Esports Games has been met with excitement from the esports community. Many fans and professionals believe that it is a positive step for the industry and will help to legitimize esports as a sport.
It is still too early to say what the impact of the Olympic Esports Games will be. However, it is clear that the IOC’s announcement is a significant development for the esports industry. The Games have the potential to reach a global audience and introduce esports to new fans. They could also help to raise the profile of esports and make it more attractive to sponsors and investors.
Why is the IOC interested in esports?
There are a number of reasons why the IOC is interested in esports. First, esports is a global phenomenon with a huge following. According to Newzoo, the global esports audience is expected to reach 532 million people in 2023.
Second, esports is a rapidly growing industry. The global esports market is expected to generate $1.6 billion in revenue in 2023.
Third, esports is popular with young people. According to Newzoo, the majority of esports viewers are under the age of 35.
The IOC is interested in esports because it believes that it can help to attract a new generation of fans to the Olympic Games. The IOC is also interested in esports because it is a rapidly growing industry with a lot of commercial potential.
What are the challenges of creating an Olympic Esports Games?
There are a number of challenges that need to be addressed before the IOC can create an Olympic Esports Games. One challenge is that esports is a very diverse industry with a wide range of games and genres. The IOC will need to decide which games to include in the Olympic Esports Games and how to ensure that the Games are fair and competitive.
Another challenge is that esports is a relatively new industry. The IOC will need to work with the esports industry to develop a set of rules and regulations for the Olympic Esports Games.
Finally, the IOC will need to find a way to make the Olympic Esports Games appealing to a global audience. The IOC will need to ensure that the Games are accessible to viewers in different countries and that the Games are broadcast in a way that is engaging and informative.
Despite the challenges, the creation of an Olympic Esports Games would be a major milestone for the esports industry. It would give esports the same level of recognition and legitimacy as traditional sports. It would also help to promote esports to a wider audience and attract new fans.
