The Evolution Championship Series (Evo), the world’s largest and longest-running fighting game festival, has announced a new phase of global growth with fresh ownership and multi-year partnerships.
Evo is now co-owned by NODWIN Gaming alongside existing shareholder RTS, with new strategic partnerships involving Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and Qiddiya. These moves will fuel Evo’s expansion in events, content, and immersive experiences through 2028 and beyond.
As part of the restructuring, SIE has sold its stake in Evo to NODWIN Gaming. However, SIE will remain deeply involved as a global sponsor through 2028, continuing its commitment to the fighting game community via PlayStation Tournaments and other products.
Phil Rosenberg, SVP and Head of Global Partner Development & Relations, Sony Interactive Entertainment said, “When SIE acquired Evo alongside RTS in 2021, our goal was to help the Evo community grow and spotlight the skills and passion of fighting game fans on a global stage. As SIE transitions to become an Evo sponsor, the momentum for Evo has never been stronger, following a successful Las Vegas event and upcoming expansion to new regions. We look forward to supporting the continued growth of Evo globally.”
New co-owner NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asian esports and youth entertainment, sees Evo as a natural addition to its portfolio. Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming said, “Evo was built by a team whose authenticity and passion for the fighting game community are unmatched. We will continue SIE’s great work and honor the legacy of everyone who has made it what it is today, while opening the door for a new generation to experience the spirit of Evo.”
Global partner Qiddiya, which joined Evo in 2024, will also extend its partnership through 2027 while investing in RTS. Stuart Saw, CEO of RTS said, “Teaming up with Qiddiya strengthens the future of RTS and what we’re building with Evo, an event that lives up to its name by driving real transformation in the fighting game community through new opportunities, deeper connections, and meaningful growth.”
Evo continues to grow worldwide. Its Las Vegas flagship recently attracted fans from more than 60 countries, featuring competitions across 16 fighting game titles and major brand activations from Chipotle, AT&T, PlayStation, Red Bull, Under Armour, and others. In Japan, Evo held the country’s largest-ever in-person tournament, drawing around 30,000 attendees. This year, Evo will debut in France (October 10–12), with record-breaking registrations, and expand further to Singapore in 2027.
Rick Thiher, General Manager, Evo said, “In recent years, Evo hosted record-setting events in the USA and Japan, and our upcoming premiere in France is already breaking European records. These latest partnerships join the ongoing support from our global and regional partners in accelerating Evo’s expansion from hosting renowned live events to serving as a nexus point for fighting game culture worldwide.”
