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Saudi Arabia Clinches 12-Year Agreement to Host Esports Olympics
Saudi Arabia is investing $38 billion to become a video-game hub as part of its effort to diversify away from oil and invigorate its youth culture.
Photographer: Yong Teck Lim/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025 under an agreement announced Friday by the International Olympic Committee and the kingdom.
The games are part of a partnership that will run 12 years and will add to the growing portfolio of such events put on by the Saudis. The country is hosting the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, where 1,500 gamers are competing in games like Call of Duty and League of Legends for a $60 million prize pool.