Tetris Sets Sights on Olympic Esport Status After Historic Dubai World Final

Following one of the most visually spectacular esports events ever staged, The Tetris Company has announced its ambition to secure Olympic esport status within the next one to three years. The declaration comes after the Red Bull Tetris World Final wowed audiences with a groundbreaking 4,000-drone display at the Dubai Frame.

The Dubai World Final

The Red Bull Tetris World Final 2025 took place on December 12-13 at the iconic Dubai Frame, creating history with the first-ever live playable Tetris game projected in the sky using drones.

Championship Results

Turkey's Fehmi Atalar dominated the competition, claiming the inaugural Red Bull Tetris global crown with a commanding Grand Final performance:

• Winner: Fehmi Atalar (Turkey) - 168,566 points
• Runner-up: Leo Solórzano (Peru) - 57,164 points

The Grand Final match was displayed using 2,800 drones against the Dubai Frame, with a total of 4,000 drones used throughout the production.

Olympic Ambitions

Maya Rogers, CEO of The Tetris Company, confirmed that securing Olympic esport status is "definitely one of our ambitions over the next one to three years."

Why Tetris Fits the Olympic Vision

The push for Olympic recognition centres on Tetris's unique characteristics:

• Family-Friendly: No violence or mature content
• Universal Appeal: Simple to understand, difficult to master
• Global Recognition: One of the most recognisable games in history
• Spectator Accessibility: "Anybody in the family can watch and enjoy," according to Tetris founder Henk Rogers

IOC Esports Landscape

The International Olympic Committee's relationship with esports remains in flux. Key developments:

• The IOC partnered with Saudi Arabia for Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh
• Originally scheduled for 2025, the event was postponed to 2027
• The 12-year partnership ended early, creating uncertainty
• The IOC is now seeking a "new approach" to esports

Tetris's non-violent, universally accessible nature positions it well amid ongoing debates about which games deserve Olympic consideration.

Event Production Standards

The Dubai World Final demonstrated how esports production continues pushing creative boundaries. The drone light show represented a fusion of competitive gaming with live entertainment spectacle that few events have achieved.

Such large-scale productions require comprehensive planning and esports event insurance to protect against the numerous risks involved in outdoor drone displays and live competitive events.

What This Means for Competitive Tetris

If Tetris achieves Olympic esport status, it could:

• Legitimise puzzle games as competitive esports
• Create new career opportunities for players
• Attract mainstream sponsorship and investment
• Establish a model for other non-traditional esports titles

Players interested in the growing competitive Tetris scene can explore opportunities at Esports Jobs.

Looking Ahead

The success of the Dubai World Final proves that Tetris can deliver both competitive excitement and mainstream entertainment value. As the IOC reconsiders its esports strategy, The Tetris Company has positioned itself as a compelling candidate for Olympic inclusion.

The next few years will determine whether this 40-year-old puzzle game achieves its ultimate competitive milestone.

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