Gaming is not yet a sanctioned Olympic event, but it nonetheless will be featured at the Beijing Summer Games in August.

The Global Gaming League says it has inked a deal with Olympics organizers to make video games the featured attraction in a “welcome event” prior to the opening ceremonies.

GGL’s proposed “Digital Games” take place in the four days leading up to the Olympic Games and are slated for Shanghai — the Olympic soccer venue — instead of Beijing. Players with various skill sets from around the world will compete, representing nations just as Olympic athletes do. A round-robin tournament format will determine the champion.

An estimate on attendance isn’t known, but GGL chief Ted Owen told Fortune magazine he expects Digital Games events to take place in stadiums because of the huge following video games now have in China. That nation recently declared gaming an official sport, right up there with gymnastics and fencing, and huge crowds of spectators turn up at gaming events.

GGL, based in Santa Monica, Calif., specializes in online gaming services and sponsors assorted events like the Digital Games, though this will be the biggest GGL has tried. It also has agreements with Major League Baseball for a professional gaming league with that sport.