Not only sports simulations at the Olympics? ESL marketing director Rodrigo Samwell made some hints at SPOBIS 2025 that made eSports fans sit up and take notice.
SPOBIS 2025 – two days during which the heavyweights of the sports and eSports industry were in attendance. Between panels, masterclasses and networking, Rodrigo Samwell, Chief Marketing Officer of the ESL FACEIT Group, also took to the stage with an exciting message.
In addition to some topics concerning the ESL FACEIT Group itself, moderator Konni Winkler also turned the conversation to the Olympic Esports Games. So far, the project has been ill-fated: initially announced for 2025, the event was postponed to 2027 at the beginning of the year.
Esports World Cup as a model for the Olympics
Particularly with regard to the disciplines, some questions remain unanswered – it would not be the first time that the community has complained to the IOC about missing eSports titles. Criticism has already been voiced several times because established games were not in the portfolio.
In addition to some topics that affected the ESL FACEIT Group itself, moderator Konni Winkler also turned the conversation to the Olympic Esports Games. So far, the project has been ill-fated: initially announced for 2025, the event was postponed to 2027 at the beginning of the year.
Esports World Cup as a model for the Olympics
Particularly with regard to the disciplines, some questions remain unanswered – it would not be the first time that the community has complained to the IOC about missing eSports titles. Criticism has already been voiced several times because established games were not in the portfolio.
“We launched the Esports World Cup in Riyadh last year – the biggest competition you can imagine – and it was very successful. Of course, we have spoken to the IOC about the Olympic Esports Games.”
They wanted to make sure that what they do serves eSports. At the same time, ESL is apparently hoping for a similar radiance effect as the traditional Olympic Games.
“The Olympics make a sporting event a national competition,” says Samwell. ”You might not watch all the sports at the Summer Olympics. But when Germany is competing against China or the USA, for example, that’s when you watch. We believe it will be the same with the Olympic Esports Games. eSports, which you often consume alone as a gamer, becomes a family event that you can watch together.” The aim is also to bring the topic of eSports to the mainstream.
“Although they are not the classic eSports titles?” the moderator asks – but Samwell promptly interrupts him with a “Wait and see”. “Wait and see what happens,” emphasizes the Chief Marketing Officer. “We are very excited about it and will announce it in due course.”
There has been a learning curve over time, and of course they have also spoken to the IOC. It has become clear that there are fans of certain titles. As an example, Samwell again cites the Esports World Cup, which featured more than 20 games last year – with more to come in the future.
Statements that point to a stronger involvement of eSports in the IOC. It is still unclear when the ESL FACEIT Group will announce the titles for the Olympic Esports Games. But it seems that this time they want to respond more strongly to eSports fans – which can only benefit the ailing Olympic project.
