Evo is updating its tournament format starting next year. For the first time ever, both players and fans will have a say in what games are featured in the final stages of the 2026 tournaments in Japan and Las Vegas.
As a huge fighting game fan, I’m excited to share that early registration for both Evo Las Vegas and Evo Japan is officially open! Plus, they’ve just launched the nomination process for the Evo Awards, which are being powered by Qiddiya – so you can start suggesting who you think deserves recognition.
Players Decide the Arena Finals in 2026
Evo will have 12 fighting games at both its Japan and Las Vegas events, including both classic favorites and brand new titles.
A significant change has been made: the six games with the most players signed up will qualify for the Arena Finals.
Games that haven’t been eliminated will continue on the Showcase Stage, with a full professional presentation. Evo Las Vegas will guarantee a total prize pool of at least $500,000 for all competing games.
Fans can watch the announcement show on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok.
Evo Leadership Speaks
According to Rick Thiher, General Manager of Evo, the organization is committed to incorporating feedback from its worldwide community to shape this year’s events. Building on the success of the record-breaking 2025 events held globally, the Evo team is dedicated to growing opportunities for the fighting game community in the future.
SonicFox and Arslan Ash Eye Records
Dominique “SonicFox” McLean needs just one more win to equal Justin Wong’s impressive record of nine championship titles in Las Vegas.
Arslan Ash, a top Pakistani Tekken player, has the chance to equal a historic record by winning tournaments in Japan, Las Vegas, and France without losing a single match.
Evo Japan 2026 Lineup
Evo Japan is back at the Tokyo Big Sight from May 1st to 3rd, and this year’s event will be bigger than ever! It will cover over 8,600 square meters. Here’s what attendees can expect:
- Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 – 5th appearance at Evo
- Riot Games’ 2XKO – 1st appearance at Evo
- Bandai Namco Entertainment’s TEKKEN 8 – 4th appearance at Evo
- Arc System Works’ Guilty Gear -Strive- – 6th appearance at Evo
- Cygames’ Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising – 4th appearance at Evo
- SNK’s Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – 3rd appearance at Evo
- Sega AM2’s Virtua Fighter 5: REVO World Stage – 1st appearance at Evo
- Arc System Works’ Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes – 3rd appearance at Evo
- SNK’s THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV – 3rd appearance at Evo
- Lasengle’s Melty Blood Type Lumina – 4th appearance at Evo
- Capcom’s Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire – 1st appearance at Evo
- Sega’s Hokuto No Ken – 1st appearance at Evo
Evo Las Vegas 2026 Lineup
Evo Las Vegas is back from June 26th to 28th at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with Chipotle as a main sponsor. Here’s a look at the featured games:
- SNK’s Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – 4th appearance at Evo
- Cygames’ Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising – 5th appearance at Evo
- Arc System Works’ Guilty Gear -Strive- – 7th appearance at Evo
- Riot Games’ 2XKO – 2nd appearance at Evo
- Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 – 6th appearance at Evo
- Bandai Namco Entertainment’s TEKKEN 8 – 5th appearance at Evo
- Sega AM2’s VirtuaFighter 5: REVO World Stage – 2nd appearance at Evo
- Skybound Games’s INVINCIBLE VS – 1st appearance at Evo
- Arc System Works’ Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes – 4th appearance at Evo
- Aether Studios’ Rivals of Aether II – 2nd appearance at Evo
- Arc System Works’ Blazblue Centralfiction – 2nd appearance at Evo
- Capcom’s Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire – 1st appearance at Evo
Fan Activations and Exhibits Return
The Evo Museum returns in Japan after last year’s major Las Vegas display.
Las Vegas is getting a new exhibit showcasing statues and collectibles. The city will also be growing its cosplay competitions, and the Evo Showcase will feature discussions and main presentations.
More details arrive in the coming months.
Evo Awards Nominations Now Open
The Evo Awards are back on March 28, 2026, in Los Angeles! You can now nominate your favorite players, content creators, epic moments, and amazing matches in 20 different categories. Nominations are open until January 9th.
Winners will be announced during the show.
Registration Details
Sign up early and save! Early bird registration for both Evo Japan (evojapan.gg) and Evo Las Vegas (evo.gg) is open now until February 2nd. Regular registration will be available from February 3rd to May 4th, and late registration will close on May 25th.
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2025-12-10 07:03