First-ever Olympic Esports Week to be Hosted by Singapore in June 2023

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that Singapore will be the host of the inaugural Olympic Esports Week (OEW) slated for June 22-25, 2023, according to a press release issued by the IOC on Nov. 16.

The purpose of the event is to encourage more players to engage in competitive video games, as well as to encourage the growth of virtual sports as part of the Olympic events.

The four-day hybrid physical and virtual sports event was presented by the OEW in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, Sport Singapore, and the Singapore National Olympic Committee. The exhibition of the latest technologies, panel discussions, educational sessions, and show matches are expected during the OEW.

The IOC, in partnership with the International Federations, will introduce the first in-person live finals of the Olympic Esports Series. It is a global virtual and simulated sports competition featuring baseball, motorsport, cycling, rowing, and sailing.

“We believe the exciting new format of our virtual sports competition, 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,” IOC President Thomas Bach said.

“It is a perfect opportunity to [partner] with Singapore, which has a history of supporting innovation in the Olympic Movement, hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010, so we are looking forward to working together closely,” he added.