Following one of the most ambitious competitive showcases in its history, Tetris is now setting its sights on Olympic recognition as an esport, marking a bold step for the iconic puzzle game.
Earlier this month, the 2025 Red Bull Tetris World Final took place in Dubai, where players competed at the Dubai Frame, turning the architectural landmark into a live Tetris battleground. The event demonstrated the game’s growing presence in the global competitive scene.
Speaking at the event, Maya Rogers, CEO of The Tetris Company, confirmed that Olympic inclusion is a realistic goal. She described it as “one of our ambitions within the next one to three years.”
Rogers highlighted Tetris’ family-friendly appeal as a major advantage. Henk Rogers, Tetris’ founder, echoed this, noting that the game can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, making it a natural fit for the Olympic ethos.
“Anyone in the family can watch and enjoy Tetris,” he said, emphasizing the game’s broad accessibility.
Building an Olympic-Style Competitive Model
Despite the momentum, hurdles remain before Tetris can earn Olympic approval. Henk Rogers explained that the competitive ecosystem must be restructured to reflect an Olympic-style model.
He pointed out that spectator experience has often been overlooked, as Tetris tournaments traditionally focus on player performance. “At the highest level, players move so fast that viewers can’t always follow what’s happening,” he said.
To address this, The Tetris Company is exploring in-match replays, multiple camera angles, and AI-assisted analysis. These tools could allow commentators to break down critical moves and make gameplay more understandable for audiences. AI could even replay optimal moves after matches to help viewers appreciate elite-level strategy.
Players Weigh In
Fehmi Atalar, the 2025 Red Bull Tetris World Final champion, offered a cautious but optimistic view. He believes Tetris could become an Olympic esport if executed correctly.
“It could happen if everything is done thoroughly,” Atalar said. “I hope they succeed. Seeing Tetris at the Olympics would be amazing.”
Esports and the Olympics: A Complicated Relationship
Tetris’ ambitions arrive amid ongoing uncertainty in the Olympics-esports connection.
The IOC held its first Olympic Esports Series in 2023, excluding popular titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike due to concerns over violent content. This decision sparked backlash across the esports community.
Later, the IOC partnered with Saudi Arabia to plan the Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh, initially set for 2025 but postponed to 2027 before the partnership ended early. While this was a setback, the IOC has indicated it will “develop a new approach to the Olympic Esports Games,” suggesting esports’ role in the Olympics is far from over.
Why Tetris Could Lead the Way
With non-violent gameplay, global recognition, and family-friendly appeal, Tetris is well-positioned as a candidate for Olympic esports.
Challenges remain, particularly around spectator experience and broadcast-friendly gameplay, but the foundations are being laid. If successful, Tetris could not only secure Olympic inclusion but also redefine how esports fit into the Olympic framework.
For Nexal Gaming, this development highlights a larger trend: esports is expanding beyond traditional titles, opening doors for games that appeal to diverse audiences while aligning with broader global sporting values.
