As first reported by The eSports Observer, Intel is partnering with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to put on two tournaments with a total purse of $500K in the days leading up to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. This is an interesting development given the back-and-forth the IOC has had over the last few years. Some members seem to want esports in the Olympics proper, while others are less than interested.  While this doesn't necessarily mean video games will be on the Olympic stage, it certainly represents a step in that direction.

The Intel World Open will feature two separate competitions in Capcom's Street Fighter V and Psyonix's Rocket League. Each tournament will bring a $250K prize purse. As the tournaments are open, anyone who lives in a participating country can take part in an online qualifier. Those who make it through will go to Poland for a live qualifier that determines who makes it to Tokyo.

This is not the first time Intel and IOC have teamed up. Ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics, they worked together to hold the Intel Extreme Masters Pyeongchang in South Korea. That tournament focused solely on Starcraft II and was only available to watch via stream. The Intel World Open, on the other hand, will have a live audience at Tokyo's Zepp DiverCity venue.

The Intel World Open will take place from July 22-24, 2020, just ahead of the start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The online qualifiers start in early 2020, so get practicing if you're hoping to make it to Tokyo.