Kuwait will host the inaugural Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games in 2027, creating a dedicated continental platform for esports and mind sports. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has signed the Host City Contract with Kuwait, with around 4,000 athletes expected to participate.
The OCA is also discussing the possibility of the Philippines hosting the second edition in 2029, with a decision expected at the 2027 OCA General Assembly in Doha.
New Opportunity for Indian Esports
For Indian esports players, the event could provide another opportunity to compete for the country at a major continental level.
India has already participated in esports at the Asian Games. At Hangzhou 2022, Indian teams competed in four titles, including Dota 2, EA Sports FC, League of Legends and Street Fighter. The League of Legends team finished fifth.
At the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, India again competed in four esports titles: eFootball, League of Legends, Pokémon UNITE and Puyo Puyo Champions.
A Dedicated Stage for Esports
Esports first appeared at the Asian Games as a demonstration event in 2018 before becoming an official medal sport at Hangzhou 2022. The new competition gives esports and mind sports their own continental event rather than placing them within the larger Asian Games programme.
The OCA says the new Games are intended to create more opportunities for athletes and support the development of esports and mind sports across Asia. However, the specific esports titles and competition programme have not yet been announced.
What It Could Mean for India
The new biennial event could give Indian players more opportunities to experience national-team competition and prepare for international events. It also gives India's esports ecosystem another major target beyond the Asian Games and other global competitions.
With the 2027 edition expected to bring thousands of athletes together, the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games could become an important fixture in Asia's growing esports calendar.