Singapore to host inaugural Olympic Esports Week from Jun 22 to 25, 2023

Singapore will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Week between Jun 22 and 25, 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Wednesday (Nov 16).

Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Sport Singapore and the Singapore National Olympic Committee, the Olympic Esports Week will include both hybrid physical and sports simulation.

There will also be a four-day festival during the week, which will include the exhibition of latest technologies, panel discussions, education sessions and show matches.

There 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, which builds on the 2021 Olympic Virtual Series. 

For the 2021 series, the IOC reported 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.

The IOC has previously looked into the concept of esports being part of the Olympic Games since 2018.

Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, said that the Olympic Esports Week will “catalyse the development” of sport technology and innovation in virtual sports and showcase new avenues for Singaporeans to lead an active lifestyle.

“We look forward to welcoming delegates and participants to our shores in 2023, and delivering a memorable Olympic Esports Week,” he added.

More details on how to be part of the inaugural Olympic Esports Week and the Olympic Esports Series will be revealed in early 2023.