Asian Esports Moves Out of Asian Games, New Event Set for 2027

The Olympic Council of Asia has approved the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games, to be held in Kuwait in 2027. The organisation confirmed competitive esports will leave the Asian Games after the 2026 edition.

The OCA signed a host agreement with Kuwait on September 21 and expects more than 4,000 athletes at the inaugural event. Exact dates and the full competition programme will be announced later.

Organisers plan to combine electronic sports and mind sports. Specific esports titles have not been confirmed; widely played games such as League of Legends and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang are among the likely candidates. Mind sports are expected to include chess, go, checkers and bridge.

Esports will appear for the last time at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, where 13 esports titles are scheduled from September 22 to October 2, with competitors from more than 30 nations. After 2026, competitive esports will continue as a standalone event under the OCA.

The new event follows the cancellation of an Olympic Esports project in Saudi Arabia. The Esports Nations Cup, cancelled for 2026, is now planned for 2027 in Saudi Arabia. Both the Kuwait-hosted Games and the rescheduled tournament will take place in the Middle East, a factor organisers are monitoring because of regional political and economic conditions.

Players and tournament organisers have raised concerns about an increasingly crowded international calendar. Teams and leagues have warned additional events add scheduling pressure, complicating players’ competitive commitments, sponsorship obligations and welfare.

OCA President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani commented after the signing: ‘We are delighted to sign the host city contract with Kuwait to stage the first edition of the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games. The launch of these Games is fully aligned with our vision of Together for Asia, uniting our continent through sport to promote excellence, solidarity and peaceful competition.’

Discussions are under way about a second edition in 2029, with the Philippines a possible host. National federations, teams and tournament operators are awaiting the official schedule and title list to plan participation.

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