The Global Esports Federation has announced a partnership with the International World Games Association, the organisers of the World Games.
The partnership’s goal is to organise esports demonstrations and showcases during the upcoming 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. According to a release, the deal is the first step towards including esports in the Games.
The World Games are an international sporting event that takes place every four years and features non-Olympic sports, such as powerboating, dance sports, softball, billiards, pool or cheerleading. The first edition of the World Games took place in 1981 in Santa Clara, California. Interestingly, the World Games is organised under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.
The partnership between GEF and IWGA is aimed at exploring the ways that esports can be included in the upcoming editions of the Games. As a part of this plan, esports demonstration events will take place during the 2025 World Games, with plans to expand the collaboration and perhaps include esports as a medal sport in future editions. The exact activations and plans for 2025 were not announced by the two partners, but more information will be shared as the event’s date approaches.
IWGA Deputy CEO, Guillaume Felli, commented: “We are thrilled to announce the signing of the Strategic Framework Agreement between the IWGA and the Global Esports Federation. This collaboration marks an exciting new chapter for our organisation and the progressive integration of esports within our global sporting community.
“Our partnership brings immense opportunities, starting with The World Games Chengdu 2025, where we anticipate a vibrant fusion of traditional sports and revolutionary esports as part of the entertainment program.
The news comes shortly after the International Olympic Committee announced that the creation of the Olympic Esports Games will be one of the topics at the upcoming IOC Session which will be held during the Paris Olympics 2024.
