en![Esports to Exit Asian Games After 2026, New Dedicated Event Confirmed for 2027 [UPDATED]](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstrafe-uploads-prod.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2FTEAM_KOREA_318e4cb137.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Esports to Exit Asian Games After 2026, New Dedicated Event Confirmed for 2027 [UPDATED]
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has approved a new esports-focused event, the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games. The inaugural edition will take place in Kuwait in 2027, marking the end of esports at the Asian Games after the ongoing 2026 edition.
The Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games
At the opening of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the Qatari president of the Olympic Council of Asia revealed plans for the inaugural edition of the new esports event, following the cancellation of the Olympic Esports project with Saudi Arabia.
The Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games were officially formalized on September 21, when the OCA signed the host agreement with Kuwait for the inaugural edition.
The event’s exact dates have yet to be announced, but organizers expect more than 4,000 athletes to take part.
The event's programme will be announced later, while discussions are already underway to bring the second edition, scheduled for 2029, to the Philippines.
While there is still no information on which titles will be included, popular games such as League of Legends and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang could be among the titles featured. As for the "Mind Sports" category, the event will also feature games such as chess, go, checkers, and bridge.
The end of esports’ presence at the Asian Games was already announced in late 2024, with competitive esports set to move to a separate, dedicated event. For the 2026 edition, 13 esports titles are being featured from September 22 to October 2 in Japan, with more than 30 nations taking part.
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.
The Asian Games here in Aichi-Nagoya are the ultimate embodiment of this principle. But through the launch of events like the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games we can create new opportunities for our continent’s athletes to showcase their talent and better serve the development of Asia’s diverse sporting interests.
OCA President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani
OCA Denies Esports Exit From Asian Games
On September 28, the OCA issued a statement in Chinese denying that esports would be removed from the Asian Games program, contradicting information the Olympic Council of Asia had previously revealed in 2024.
The OCA has not made or issued any decision regarding the removal of esports from the Asian Games. Claims that ‘esports is leaving the Asian Games’ do not reflect the OCA’s plans.
OCA Statement (September 28)
The official document outlining the decisions made during the OCA Executive Board’s 90th meeting, held on November 26, 2024, stated that the board had “unanimously” approved the proposal to remove esports from the Asian Games program.
The Executive Board also unanimously approved the proposal of the Esports […] Committee to remove the Esports from the Asian Games Programme after the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games and hold a separate Asian Esports and Mind Games.
90th OCA Executive Board Meeting 26 November 2024 (Virtually)
There is currently no information on whether the original decision was reversed, canceled, or otherwise amended.
What is clear is that, for now, the OCA denies that esports will leave the Asian Games after 2026, while the reason behind this apparent change remains unknown.
Before the statement was released on September 28, there had been no public communication indicating a reversal of the 2024 decision.
Further clarification is expected regarding the program for the upcoming Asian Games and the inclusion of esports. The next edition is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, in 2030.
The Growing Pressure on the League of Legends Calendar
The increasingly crowded League of Legends competitive calendar has been a topic of discussion for some time, with new tournaments continuing to be added to an already packed schedule.
After the Esports Nations Cup was cancelled in 2026, the event is now set to return in 2027, adding another competition to the calendar. The tournament will take place in Saudi Arabia after being postponed, reportedly due in large part to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games will also take place in the Middle East, with Kuwait sharing a border with Saudi Arabia. The region's ongoing political and economic situation could therefore also have an impact on the event if it remains unresolved by 2027.
The addition of more tournaments also raises concerns about the potential impact on players’ mental health and well-being. Competing across multiple international events can add significant pressure, while players must also balance their competitive commitments with sponsorships and other contractual obligations.
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Featured Image Credit: Asian Games
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