The eSport Olympics: UK Government backed eGames tournament to be held during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

The first eGames, an eSports equivalent of the Olympic Games, were announced at the London Games Festival.
The first eGames, an eSports equivalent of the Olympic Games, were announced at the London Games Festival.

Should eSports be considered a real sport? And its competitors athletes? It’s been debated plenty, however those that think esports are a sport have just gained a little more ammunition for their side of the argument. Announced at the London Games Festival, eSports are getting their own version of the Olympics.

Recommended Videos

Dubbed the eGames, and supported by the UK government, the tournament is to be held in Rio alongside the 2016 Olympic Games, and will take place every Olympic year (both summer and winter) in each host country thereafter. So far the UK, US, Brazil and Canada have signed up, and like the Olympics themselves, competitors will be awarded medals, not prize money, for coming out on top.

Details are scarce at the moment, and it remains to be seen if any more countries will sign up and what games will be on offer. According to the competitions official website, more announcements are expected throughout April and May.

ESL One Cologne 2015 the world's biggest and most watched Counter-Strike: Global Offensive event to date!

Although it looks to be starting out small, its association with the Olympics could lead eGames to becoming a high-profile event for both gamers and non-gamers alike. However, due to the lack of prize money on offer, leaving players competing for medals and national pride, it’s hard to say if it will gain the kind of traction that other, more established eSports competitions have with gamers.

What are your thoughts? Are you excited by the announcement? Or do you feel it won’t prove a big enough draw for competitors and viewers? Let us know in the comments below.


GameSkinny is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Overwatch 2 Introduces Its First Free Hero in Season 10
Venture holding her drill and Baptise, Zarya, Pharah, and Lifeweaver standing behind her
Read Article Horror Becomes Educational by Teaching Morse Code in SOS: Forgotten Planet
A monster behind a door marked M
Read Article Pocketpair Announced the 10 Most Popular Pals in Palworld
Player looks up to Quivern in Palworld
Read Article Elder Scrolls 6 Gets an Update on the Series’ 30th Anniversary
Eleder Scrolls wizard casting green magic
Read Article This Witchy RPG Is Like Howl’s Moving Castle Brought to Life
A young witch looks to a home built on chicken legs in Reka
Related Content
Read Article Overwatch 2 Introduces Its First Free Hero in Season 10
Venture holding her drill and Baptise, Zarya, Pharah, and Lifeweaver standing behind her
Read Article Horror Becomes Educational by Teaching Morse Code in SOS: Forgotten Planet
A monster behind a door marked M
Read Article Pocketpair Announced the 10 Most Popular Pals in Palworld
Player looks up to Quivern in Palworld
Read Article Elder Scrolls 6 Gets an Update on the Series’ 30th Anniversary
Eleder Scrolls wizard casting green magic
Read Article This Witchy RPG Is Like Howl’s Moving Castle Brought to Life
A young witch looks to a home built on chicken legs in Reka
Author