Anatoly Kotov, deputy chief executive of the Minsk 2019 Organising Committee, revealed the updated figure. 

"We are expecting a big audience," he told local reporters.

"The Games will be broadcast for sure in 117 countries of the world.

"This is a serious media event."

Kotov believes more countries will want to show the event and that this can be achieved with the help of International Sports Broadcasting (ISB), which was appointed to sell television rights for Minsk 2019 in March last year.

"We and the company that sells media rights aspire to increase the number of broadcasters to 160 territories," he said.

"After all, this is a not some regional European event but an event on a global scale."

ISB is the host broadcaster for Minsk 2019.

It had previously claimed that agreements reached could result in a reach of more than 500 million potential viewers.

The broadcaster is set to provide live coverage as well as a daily highlights package and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

As for an estimated number of foreign fans visiting Belarus, the Organising Committee believes most of them will arrive from Poland, Russia and Ukraine.

Kotov reiterated that foreign nationals purchasing a ticket to Minsk 2019 would not need a visa to come to Belarus.

They will also be exempt from payments for using toll roads from June 10 to July 10.

Minsk is set to host the second edition of the European Games from June 21 to 30.

More than 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete in 199 medal events across 15 sports.