“Traditions, Values, and Identity Will Remain Unchanged” Saudi Arabia Now Has Full Control of EVO

Okay, so big news in the fighting game community – Qiddiya Investment Company just bought EVO outright. That means it’s now fully backed by Saudi Arabia. Honestly, it was a bit of a shock, but the organizers are saying they’re committed to keeping everything about EVO – the vibe, the tournaments, everything we love – the same. It feels like a new chapter for EVO, for sure, but they’re promising it won’t lose what makes it special.

EVO is a hugely respected event in the fighting game world. Starting in the late 1990s as a small, community-run arcade competition, it has become one of the biggest and most important esports tournaments globally. EVO hosts major competitions for popular games like Super Smash Bros., Street Fighter, Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and Guilty Gear, attracting thousands of players and hundreds of thousands of online spectators. A key part of what makes EVO special is its open-bracket system, which allows anyone to compete.

Qiddiya Now Owns EVO, Event Schedule Remains Unchanged

EVO officials have stated that the fighting game tournament will stay true to its roots despite a change in ownership. They assured fans and players that the event’s core values and community focus will remain the same, and that they will continue to support players, fans, and game publishers. Current CEO Stuart Saw will stay in his role, ensuring things continue running smoothly. The announcement confirms that RTS, which is part of Qiddiya, has now fully purchased EVO, taking over ownership from Sony and NODWIN Gaming.

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Qiddiya now fully owns and operates EVO, the popular fighting game tournament series, including its main event in Las Vegas and tournaments in countries like Japan and France. This purchase is part of Qiddiya’s larger plan to become a major player in the global gaming and esports world. The company, backed by Saudi Arabia, is creating a large Gaming & Esports District as part of its overall entertainment and tourism development. By owning EVO, a well-known brand in competitive fighting games, Qiddiya aims to make the tournament a key part of its future esports plans.

Although EVO’s leaders are emphasizing that things will stay the same, the recent change in ownership is a hot topic among gamers. Saudi Arabia has been investing a lot in sports and entertainment, buying into big companies and hosting major events. Many believe the purchase of EVO fits into this broader plan to increase its presence in the world of entertainment. Fans are mostly wondering what this means for the future of EVO. The official announcement didn’t mention any immediate changes to how things are run, or that tournaments would be moved. Current events like EVO Las Vegas, Japan, and France are still planned, so fans likely won’t see a repeat of the 2020 event cancellation. However, now that Qiddiya fully owns the brand, people will be paying close attention to see where EVO goes from here.

EVO has grown a lot over the past ten years, becoming a popular event for both new and experienced fighting game players. With continued investment from Qiddiya, the tournament could become even bigger, potentially adding new locations, more competitive prizes, and expanded regional events. However, EVO has always been known for its strong community, and organizers have promised to maintain that spirit, reassuring fans that the core of the event will stay the same.

EVO players and fans can expect things to continue as normal for the 2026 season. As Qiddiya reveals its future plans for the tournament, we’ll get a better understanding of how Sony’s ownership change will affect things. One thing is for sure: EVO, a legendary fighting game event, is entering a new era. The fighting game community worldwide will be watching closely to see if this change means just more funding or a complete makeover of the event.

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2026-02-21 19:38