Fortnite enters the Olympics

The IOC added Fortnite to its Esports Series, which already includes nine games corresponding to real sports managed by international federations.

The Esports Finals will take place in Singapore from June 22-25, the sports shooting matches of Fortnite being scheduled for June 24. The competition will be an invitational event featuring a dozen Champions Series players Fortnitewho will compete in a sniper competition supported by the International Shooting Sport Federation on a special island of Fortnite. The island will be designed to mirror sport shooting competitions, and players will be tested on the accuracy of their aim.

A true global competition

The IOC has opened ticket sales for Olympic Esports Week in Singapore, priced at SGD10 ($7.50) for one day or SGD20 ($15) for all three days of competition.

The IOC considers that the inclusion of Fortnite is part of a larger effort to encourage esports and connect with the gaming community.

The Esports Series is a global virtual and simulated sports competition created by the IOC, in collaboration with international federations and game publishers. The top players will compete in live and in-person finals at the Olympic Esports Finals in Singapore.

Attracting an audience reluctant to Olympic competitions

The addition of Fortnite in the Esports Series is in line with the IOC’s esports objectives. The committee considers it a “peaceful competition” with a physical equivalent, and the inclusion of Fortnite is likely to appeal to an audience that would otherwise not be interested in conventional esports tournaments.

The esports finals will be streamed globally on Olympics.com and the Olympics social media channels. Fortnite joins archery, baseball, chess, cycling, dancesport, motorsports, sailing, taekwondo and tennis in the eSports Olympic Series.