Panam Sports and the Global Esports Federation (GEF) are to hold the inaugural Pan American Esports Championships on dates to be confirmed in October, with eFootball 2023 and Dota 2 the games contested.

Two categories will be held - open and women - although the Championships will not be an official medal event of Santiago 2023.

"The Pan American Esports Championships gives us the opportunity to engage a new generation of youth through an activity that they are passionate about and that is trending globally," said Panam Sports President Neven Ilic.

"Spectators who attend the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games at the National Stadium will get to experience a showcase of innovation as well as the high-level esports competition that will highlight some of the best esports athletes from our continent."

The National Stadium - called the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos or simply Estadio Nacional - will host athletics and Ceremonies at Santiago 2023.

"The first Pan American Esports Championships in Santiago in 2023 will be a spectacular event that brings together our #worldconnected community, fans, and new friends who are unfamiliar with this fascinating world of esports and gaming," said Paul J. Foster, the chief executive of the GEF.

"We are working together with Panam Sports to deliver an unforgettable experience for the athletes and spectators who will attend this innovative digital festival of sport and entertainment." 

The GEF was involved in organising the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships, alongside the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games last year.

It is also due to stage the first-ever European Games Esports Championships on the sidelines of Kraków-Małopolska 2023 between June 30 and July 2.

Esports will be a full medal event at the delayed Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, while the International Olympic Committee is due to hold its first Olympic Esports Series in Singapore from June 22 to 25.