• The IOC and Saudi Arabia have canceled their 12-year esports partnership after only one year.
• The first Olympic Esports Games were scheduled for 2027 in Riyadh.
• The IOC is exploring alternatives for its own Esports Games.
• Saudi Arabia continues to invest in esports and traditional sports amidst criticism of its human rights record.
• Plans for an Esports Nations Cup are set for November 2026 in Saudi Arabia.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia have mutually decided to terminate their 12-year esports partnership, which was initially established just over a year ago. The decision comes just two years before the proposed first Olympic Esports Games, originally set to be hosted in Riyadh in 2027, was announced during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The IOC confirmed that the two sides agreed to pursue separate esports ambitions moving forward, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Initially slated to launch this year, the Olympic Esports Games faced postponements over concerns related to event logistics and planning. The IOC had aimed to connect with a younger audience through this initiative, acknowledging the need to adapt as its traditional fan base ages. Despite the cancellation, the IOC expressed its intention to forge a new partnership model for the Olympic Esports Games, as emphasized in statements from the organization, according to BBC and Reuters.

Saudi Arabia's involvement in esports has been marked by substantial investments, having hosted the Esports World Cup and eyeing future events. Critics of the kingdom argue that these efforts amount to "sportswashing," aimed at diverting attention from its human rights records. Despite the termination of the IOC partnership, Saudi Arabia has announced plans to hold an Esports Nations Cup starting in November 2026, signaling its ongoing dedication to esports within its broader sporting strategy, as reported by South China Morning Post and BBC.