IOC embrace esports opportunity with new Singapore-based event

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that its inaugural Olympic Esports Week will take place in Singapore between 22 and 25 June 2023. In partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Sport Singapore and the Singapore National Olympic Committee (SNOC), the Olympic Esports Week will showcase the best of virtual sports, with the four-day festival also including tech exhibitions, panel discussions, education sessions and show matches.

Thomas Bach

The highlight of the week will be the first in-person live finals of the Olympic Esports Series, a global virtual and simulated sports competition created in collaboration with the International Federations (IFs) which builds on the successes of last year’s Olympic Virtual Series. The 2021 series attracted over 250,000 participants from across 100 countries to take part in competitions in virtual and simulated sports including baseball, motorsport, cycling, rowing and sailing.

IOC president Thomas Bach said: “The first Olympic Esports Week marks an important milestone in our ambition to support the growth of virtual sports within the Olympic Movement. We believe the new format, with live finals to be staged for the first time, is an opportunity to collaborate further with esports players and to create new opportunities for players and fans alike. It is a perfect opportunity to be partnering with Singapore, which has a history supporting innovation in the Olympic Movement.”

SNOC Board member and IOC VP Ng Ser Miang said: “The Singapore NOC shares the Olympic Movement’s ambitions of exploring virtual sports. Singapore has a track record of hosting some of the biggest events in the virtual sports and esports calendar – we are honoured to be collaborating with the IOC to bring this shared vision to life.”