Kuwait to host inaugural Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has signed a host city contract with Kuwait to stage the first Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games in 2027. The decision, approved at the OCA’s 90th Executive Board Meeting in November 2024, marks the creation of a dedicated continental platform for the discipline. OCA President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani stated, "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 hosting agreement with Kuwait's public authority for youth and sports was signed on September 19. The event will be held in the State of Kuwait and will run every two years. This launch is the first new event under Sheikh Joaan's presidency.

Esports exits Asian Games after Aichi-Nagoya 2026

The OCA has decided to remove esports from the Asian Games programme after the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 edition. This transition follows esports' inclusion as a medal event at recent Asian Games, including Hangzhou 2022. The 2027 Kuwait event will now serve as the new dedicated continental platform for esports and mind sports.

The Host City Contract signing took place on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian Games in Nagoya. This directly links the final edition featuring esports with the announcement of its successor. The board unanimously approved a proposal from its Esports, Martial Arts and Mind Sports Committee to make this change. The same meeting also approved the creation of a separate Asian Mind Sports Federation and Mind Sport Games.

Event details remain pending as scale and purpose are outlined

While the host and schedule are set, many competitive details are still to be confirmed. The event is expected to feature around 4,000 athletes. Esports will be seated alongside traditional mind sports like chess, go, and bridge.

The specific esports titles, qualification structure, and full competition programme have not yet been announced. It is also unknown whether the event will follow the same national team structures used at the Asian Games. For players and national esports programmes across Asia, the major question is what the 2027 competition will look like.

Future editions and regional interest under discussion

Planning for future cycles is already underway. The OCA is discussing the Philippines as a potential host for the second edition in 2029. Manila has already signalled its interest in hosting. A final decision on the 2029 host is expected at the OCA General Assembly in Doha in 2027.

The OCA says the competition is intended to create more opportunities for athletes while helping develop esports and mind sports across Asia. The launch of these Games is fully aligned with the OCA's vision of uniting the continent through sport to promote excellence, solidarity and peaceful competition. The OCA will announce the full programme of the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games at a later date.