Esports at LA 2028: Will Gamers Become Olympic Medalists?
As the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics draw nearer, one question stirs both anticipation and debate: Will esports athletes finally stand on the Olympic podium as official medalists? Despite the meteoric rise of competitive gaming and its global fan base, esports’ place within the Olympic movement remains on the edge of transformation.
IOC Officially Approves First Olympic Esports Games for 2025
A historic decision was made on July 23, 2024, during the 142nd Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Paris, France:
The IOC unanimously approved the proposal to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025, in Saudi Arabia.
Key facts:
- The International Olympic Committee and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee have committed to a long-term collaboration spanning 12 years, during which they will jointly stage recurring editions of the Olympic Esports Games.
- With the proposal now officially adopted, both sides have begun preparations, including:
- Selecting the host city and venue
- Determining the event schedule
- Defining competition disciplines
- Setting up qualification pathways for players
This marks the most concrete step yet toward integrating esports into the Olympic ecosystem—not just as a novelty, but as a serious and recurring part of the Games.
What Does This Mean for LA 2028?
While the 2025 Olympic Esports Games will not be part of the Los Angeles 2028 medal program, this newly approved initiative provides a critical testing ground. A successful inaugural event could help overcome some of the remaining hurdles that have kept esports from entering the core Olympic program:
1. Content Compatibility with Olympic Values
Many of the most popular esports titles feature violent or military-style gameplay, which may contradict the IOC’s principles of peace and non-violence. The 2025 Games will help determine whether a curated selection of esports titles (e.g., sports simulations, racing, strategy) can align with Olympic values.
2. Governance Issues
Traditional Olympic sports have well-established international federations. Esports, by contrast, is fragmented across game publishers and private stakeholders. The structure and administration of the 2025 Games will provide a potential blueprint for governance.
3. Commercial Ownership
Unlike track & field or gymnastics, most esports titles are owned by commercial entities. The IOC must navigate potential conflicts of interest to ensure a level playing field for all competitors.
A Parallel Path to Olympic Recognition
This long-term IOC-Saudi agreement signals that the Olympic movement is embracing a parallel path for esports development—not yet through direct inclusion in the Summer or Winter Games, but through a standalone Olympic Esports Games model, akin to the Youth Olympics or Paralympics.
This approach allows the IOC to:
- Tailor the competition format for a digital audience
- Foster international standards for esports competition
- Gradually build public, athlete, and broadcaster confidence
A Matter of Time
While gamers won’t become medalists at LA28 just yet, the tide is clearly turning.
The 2025 Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia will act as a critical testing stage—evaluating not just the fairness of competition and audience engagement, but also whether esports can meet the standards and spirit of the Olympic movement.
If successful, it may not be a question of if esports becomes part of the main Olympic program—but when.