Olympic games to make room for esports, Vodafone wants to encourage more women

By Rich Edmonds, Richard Devine
last updated

Professional gamers could soon take to the stage at an Olympic games event.

It has been a fairly quiet week in the realm of esports, but we could be seeing the foundations of what may become esports as part of the Olympic games. It makes sense for the electronic sport to make the rounds with recognized disciplines.

Olympic Esports

Paris 2024

The organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympic games are in talks with the International Esports Federation (IEF) about hosting professional gaming tournaments. Already, esports will have medals at the 2022 Asian Games, as reported by the BBC, so this isn't such a stretch to see the scene make it to the worldwide athletic event.

Interestingly, IEF acting secretary general Leopold Chung stated it wouldn't be possible to have esports as an official discipline but it would be a demonstration title within the Olympics. Thomas Bach from the International Olympic Committee has revealed there will be restrictions in place for what games will be accepted. Games with the promotion of violence will not be permitted.

Big brands get involved

G Fuel

Esport tournaments have not been short of sponsors, even some well-known and established brands, but more big names are signing up for teams and events. Vodafone is sponsoring major ESL events, and will work with event hosts to run diversity and female-focused initiatives — not quite what the industry requires.

North, the result of a partnership between F.C. Copenhagen and Nordisk Film, will compete in Adidas jerseys. The organization currently has two CS:GO teams and will see players roll out in the new kit. In the UK, G Fuel has partnered with the UK Esports Awards for the upcoming show on June 30th.

Rockets fired from London

Rocket League

Rocket League Esports organizers have announced the Rocket League Championship Season is heading to Europe, specifically London on June 8 - 10. The tournament will be held at the Copper Box Arena. It's the first time Rocket League esports has made its way to the UK.

See more

The prize pool is a whopping $250,000. We'll have broadcast details at a later date.

Upcoming events

  • Overwatch League - May 3 to May 7, watch on Twitch
Rich Edmonds
Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.

14 Comments
  • Olympic games are not...games
  • Olympic games are not games either, so what's your point? :/
  • I like esports but dislike the idea of them being included in the Olympic Games. The Olympic games are all about amateur sports that aren't owned by anyone, not intellectual properties owned by mega corporations who will profit from their inclusion while their competitors cannot. Not good.
  • Tell that to the NBA players
  • You should sue
  • That's a good point.
  • I like the idea but I think it should be during the Winter Olympics.
  • I'd rather this did not happen. I want real humans competing against each other not sprites.
  • You could argue shooting is no more or less skillful than some of the top gamers.
  • Yeah, no. Great physical and mental training goes into competitive shooting, as well all other Olympic sports. eSports should remain separate. I'm a big fan of ESL but there's no equivalent to what ATHLETES do compared to those sitting on their azz clicking a bunch of buttons better than their opponent.
  • Chess has been in the Olympics for close to 20 years, soooooo.
  • Chess isn't in the Olympics.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_Olympiad It's recognized by the IOC.
  • You could argue that, you could also argue that cigarettes are healthy, that doesn't make it true.