NHL 25 to become an Olympic Sport?

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Josh Tupper
July 23, 2024 (10:30 PM)

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IOC's Bold New Move: Olympic Esports Games

In the 142 years of its existence, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made a variety of decisions, some controversial and some groundbreaking. Their latest announcement, however, may leave many scratching their heads or thrilling those who dream of merging gaming with global sports events.

The IOC has recently approved the Olympic Esports Games, a move that could redefine both the Esports community and the Olympic Games as we know them. Despite this monumental decision, it appears that the National Hockey League (NHL) will not be included in this inaugural event.

While the specific games to be featured in the Olympic Esports Games have yet to be confirmed, speculation is rife that popular titles such as *League of Legends*, *Rocket League*, *Street Fighter*, *Tekken*, *iRacing*, *NBA2K*, and *FIFA* will make the cut, along with other mobile games.

Interestingly, the anticipated lineup includes three major sports games but notably excludes the NHL franchise. Given that NHL 25 is not expected to be part of the competition and the NHL Gaming World Championship (GWC) is currently on hold, it would be in hockey's best interest to advocate for inclusion in future Esports Games to ensure the sport is represented on this new stage.

The IOC's venture into Esports promises to be an exhilarating development. Whether this decision will be a triumph or a misstep remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: fans and Esports enthusiasts are in for an exciting journey.