Tickets are on sale for the inaugural Olympic Esports Week, which is to take place in Singapore next month.
The Suntec Centre will play host to the four-day event, which includes the Olympic Esports Finals, which features 10 events between June 23-25.
The finals are the culmination of the Olympic Esports Series 2023, the global virtual and simulated sports competition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), conducted in collaboration with International Federations and game publishers. Sport shooting (Fortnite), cycling (Zwift) and motorsport (Gran Turismo) are among the competitions being held.
An IOC spokesperson said: “Olympic Esports Week marks another step in supporting the development of virtual sports within the Olympic Movement, as laid out in Olympic Agenda 2020+5, and continues the Movement’s collaboration with the gaming and esports communities to create new opportunities for players and fans alike.”
The 42,000m² Suntec Center served as a venue for the Youth Olympic Games, hosting events including boxing, handball and judo. In 2022, the centre hosted The International, an esports event, which was co-hosted with the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Single day passes are available for as little as S$10 ($7.50).
Qualification rounds in baseball, chess, motorsport and sailing are already under way, with competitors aiming to reach the finals in Singapore and compete in front of fans for the prestigious title of Olympic Esports Series winner.
Sport shooting has also now joined the line-up, with the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)’s challenge featuring Fortnite. The ISSF’s partnership with Fortnite will see 12 players from the 2023 Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) invited to compete on the global stage.
The IOC added: “A specially designed Fortnite Creative Island, made to reflect sport shooting competition, will put the target-aiming accuracy of sharp shooters to the test and see them navigate the in-game environment as they compete to become an Olympic Esports Series winner.”