EVO 2025: The hits and misses and how it can improve in 2026

EVO 2025 has come and gone, and with it, a positive reception across the board. Over 14,000 attended the latest fighting esports event in Las Vegas between August 1 and 3, with several announcements from existing and upcoming fighting games to boot, as well as seeing some memorable moments being made from various matches.

Known as Evolution Championship Series, it began in 1996 as a way for fans of Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter Alpha 2 to battle it out, then known as Battle by the Bay. It was several years before more titles from the fighting-game genre would appear, but the event’s reputation grew to the point that Sony acquired it in 2020.

EVO is arguably one of the most popular esports events worldwide, and although this year’s was regarded as one of its best in recent memory, there are a few small improvements we’d love to see for EVO 2026.

EVO 2025 was held in Las Vegas again, at the Convention Center from August 1 to 3. Games like Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, and 14 more were hosted at the event, with plenty of announcements for some titles. The final part of Tekken 8’s Season 2 DLC pass was revealed as a new character called Miary Zo, as well as a new stage called Baobab Horizon, although it’s not likely to restore the reputation that this season has damaged.

More announcements like the Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls closed beta were revealed at EVO, taking place over two days between September 5 and 7, as well as a new in-game trailer of Virtua Fighter Project, the latest entry in Sega’s series and first for 14 years. Also, Mortal Kombat Trilogy is confirmed to be part of the upcoming Mortal Kombat Kollection, coming later this year.

Prolific players like MenaRD and Arslan Ash won first place in Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8, respectively, winning over $10,000 of the prize pool in tense and exciting matches that were big highlights of EVO this year.

There was plenty to like at EVO this year, with the organisers adding eight more games, meaning there was plenty more variety for viewers. Announcements of Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls’ closed beta and the final content for Tekken 8 Season 2 were welcome surprises, maintaining the reputation of EVO as the place to keep track of for any latest news on some of the most popular esports games for now and the future.

EVO’s video content was on top form this year. Fans could rewatch highlights from games like Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 just hours after the matches finished, as well as the many highlights from its Twitch channel.

Finally, being clear in its communication for attendees was a nice touch. The company explained a pre-trip checklist in detail on its website and spotlighted indie devs attending EVO.  

Admittedly, the misses at EVO 2025 were very few this time, with some saying how it was the best EVO in years. The only arguable miss was the presence of Tekken 8. Fans are still burned from Bandai Namco’s mess of how it released Season 2 earlier this year, with certain moves overpowered and unblockable, making the balancing very uneven for many characters. Its reputation is at an all-time low, and while it was good to see a new character and level be announced at EVO, perhaps the title shouldn’t be front and centre until more fixes are made that satisfy players and viewers alike.

Despite there being very few misses for EVO 2025, two improvements would be welcome for 2026. More of a spotlight on accessibility would be welcome, especially with Sony, the relatively new owners of EVO, having its own Accessible Controller available for PlayStation 5 owners. 

It would be great to focus more on some mobile esports titles. Some games that have been re-released for Android and iPhone devices are still going strong, such as Ultra Street Fighter 4 and Samurai Showdown 2. Seeing these in a small side event at EVO next year would be welcome for mobile players and could showcase the controllers and devices that players use for them.

Although it was great to see games like Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls and 2XKO be playable at EVO 2025, it would be even better to see upcoming games feature more at EVO. Whether announcing more content or having another closed beta session just for attendees and competing players, it could give developers of both titles an even greater idea of what the esports industry wants from fighting games.

There’s no denying that EVO 2025 was a great success. Thousands of attendees and viewers kept track of all the announcements, matches, and playable games throughout the event.

It’s one of the most popular esports events worldwide, and for good reason. Both Sony and EVO’s on-the-ground organisers know which fighting games fit the bill, as well as touching on some nostalgia, like Marvel vs. Capcom 2. It taps into what makes fighting games so much fun, ever since the early days of the event when it was just Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter Alpha 2, before other fighters were featured.

For EVO 2026, it’s simply a matter of, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. It’s one of the best esports events, and to needlessly mess with the formula would be a disservice to the players and viewers who have attended EVO for several years. Granted, seeing a bigger focus on accessibility and mobile esports titles would be welcome, but as long as it’s a gradual entrance, fans will be sure to embrace the two.