Evolution Championship Series

{{Short description|Annual United States fighting game tournament}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox sports league | title = Evolution Championship Series | current_season = | logo = Evo Championship Series Logo.png | caption = Logo | Formerly = Battle by the Bay | sport = Fighting games | founded = 1996 | owner = Endeavor (2020–2025) Sony Interactive Entertainment (2021–2025) NODWIN Gaming (2025–2026) Qiddiya City (2025–present) | ceo = | country = United States | website = {{URL|https://www.evo.gg}} | qualification = None (open) | champion = {{collapsible list |title=Main stage |1='''''SF6:''''' Saul "MenaRD" Mena |2='''''T8:''''' Arslan "Arslan Ash" Siddique |3='''''CotW:''''' Goichi "GO1" Kishida |4='''''GGST:''''' "Kshuewhatdamoo" |5='''''GBVSR:''''' Mathieu "Kojicoco" Fardet |6='''''MVC2:''''' Ken "Khaos" Villalobos |7='''''UNI2:''''' "Defiant" |8='''''MK1:''''' Dominique "SonicFox" McLean }} {{collapsible list |title=Extended Lineup |1='''''Rivals 2:''''' Justin "Plup" McGrath |2='''''BBCF:''''' Ryane "xcaliburbladez" Jimenez |3='''''CVS2:''''' Ryo "BAS" Yoshida |4='''''VF5REVO:''''' "Akani Shiwapo" |5='''''KOFXV:''''' Lin "ET" Chiahung |6='''''SamSho:''''' Brad "Scrub Saibot" Hanasyk |7='''''GGXrd:''''' TJ "Vogue" Huckabee |8='''''KI:''''' "Roman22s" }} {{collapsible list |title=Japan |1='''''SF6:''''' Eisuke Yamaguchi |2='''''T8:''''' Min-Kyu "iKARi" Kim |3='''''GGST:''''' "Tyurara" |4='''''GBVSR:''''' "Kasausagi" |5='''''CotW:''''' Zheng "Xiaohai" Zhuojun |6='''''2XKO:''''' Jo'siah "HIKARI" Miller |7='''''VSAV:''''' "Kaji" |8='''''KOFXV:''''' Masanobu "M'" Murakami |9='''''VF5REVO:''''' "Virgo" |10='''''MBTL:''''' "Yutta" |11='''''HnK:''''' "K.I" |12='''''UNI2:''''' "Oushuu-Hittou" }} {{collapsible list |title=France |1='''''SF6:''''' "LeShar" |2='''''T8:''''' Arslan "Arslan Ash" Siddique |3='''''GGST:''''' "Tiger_Pop" |4='''''GBVSR:''''' Lucy "Usagi" Aramburu |5='''''CotW:''''' Zheng "Xiaohai" Zhuojun |6='''''DBFZ:''''' Jo'siah "HIKARI" Miller |7='''''H×HNI:''''' "Heiho" }} | most_champs = Justin Wong (9) | Founder = Tom "inkblot" Cannon, Tony "Ponder" Cannon, Joey "MrWizard" Cuellar, Seth "S-Kill" Killian | most_recent = Evo 2025 }}

The '''Evolution Championship Series''', commonly known as '''Evo''', is an American annual esports event that focuses exclusively on fighting games. The tournaments are completely open and use the double elimination format.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://evo.shoryuken.com/evo-player-guide/evo-tournament-format/ |title=Evo Championship Series |publisher=Evo.shoryuken.com |date=April 18, 2013 |access-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022190605/http://evo.shoryuken.com/evo-player-guide/evo-tournament-format/ |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As with Super Battle Opera, contestants travel from all over the world to participate, including gaming hubs such as Japan, South Korea and Pakistan. The first Evolution was originally held as a ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo'' and ''Street Fighter Alpha 2'' tournament called the Battle by the Bay. It changed its name to Evo in 2002. Every successive tournament has seen an increase of attendees. It has been held at various venues across the Las Vegas Valley since 2005. From 2021 to 2025, the event was jointly owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment and the Endeavor esports venture RTS.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210318005890/en/Sony-Interactive-Entertainment-and-New-Esports-Venture-RTS-Jointly-Acquire-the-Evolution-Championship-Series-Evo|title = Sony Interactive Entertainment and New Esports Venture, RTS, Jointly Acquire the Evolution Championship Series (Evo)|date = March 18, 2021}}</ref> As of 2026, RTS (now owned by the Saudi megaproject Qiddiya City), fully own Evo.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Valentine |first1=Rebekah |title=Saudi-owned RTS Takes Full Ownership of EVO |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/saudi-owned-rts-takes-full-ownership-of-evo |access-date=February 20, 2026 |work=IGN |date=February 20, 2026}}</ref>

==History== Evo was founded by Tom Cannon, also known for his work on Shoryuken.com, a fighting game website. The tournament started as "Battle by the Bay", a 40-man ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo'' and ''Street Fighter Alpha 2'' tournament in 1996 in Sunnyvale, California. The event eventually moved to its recurring venue in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada.<ref name="kotaku"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17391663/daigo-jwong-legacy-street-fighter-moment-37|title=Daigo and JWong: the legacy of Street Fighter's Moment 37|date=August 25, 2016|access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref> The event changed its name to Evolution Championship Series, or EVO for short, in 2002. Over time, the tournament grew, recording over one thousand participants in 2009.<ref name="gamasutra"/>

Originally the tournament used arcade cabinets, but in 2004 the decision was made to move all games over to their console versions, to a large amount of controversy.<ref name="gamespot"/> During the transition to games on the seventh generation consoles, most games were played on a PlayStation 3,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://evo2k.com/player-guide/additional-rules/ |title=Evo2k.com |publisher=Evo2k.com |access-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129041934/http://evo2k.com/player-guide/additional-rules/ |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> though Evo 2014 ran most games on the Xbox 360.<ref name="Evo2014">{{cite web |url= http://shoryuken.com/2013/09/15/evo-2014-announced-lvh-casino-xbox-360/ |title= Evo 2014 Announced! |last1= Cuellar |first1= Joey |date= September 15, 2013 |website= Shoryuken |access-date= September 22, 2013 |archive-date= July 9, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184609/http://shoryuken.com/2013/09/15/evo-2014-announced-lvh-casino-xbox-360/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> Aside from the official tournaments, there is also a "BYOC" ("bring your own console") area in which many different games are played and side tournaments are held.

===1996–2003: Tournament beginnings and re-branding=== {{see|Battle by the Bay}} B3: Battle by the Bay was organized by Tom "inkblot" Cannon, Tony "Ponder" Cannon, Joey "MrWizard" Cuellar, and Seth "S-Kill" Killian,<ref name=esportsobserver>{{cite web|url=https://esportsobserver.com/opinion-evo-prime-for-investors/|work=The Esports Observer|title=OPINION: The Past, Present, and Future of Evo Makes It Prime for Investment|last=Brathwate|first=Brandon|date=2018-07-23|access-date=April 4, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029133211/https://esportsobserver.com/opinion-evo-prime-for-investors/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and held in the Golfland arcade hall in Sunnyvale, California. The tournament had 40 contenders mostly from the United States, though B3 also featured players from Canada and Kuwait.<ref name=USGamer>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-oral-history-of-evo|work=USGamer|title=The Oral History of EVO: The Story of the World's Largest Fighting Game Tournament|last=Learned|first=John|date=2017-07-17}}</ref> B3 featured a ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo'' and ''Street Fighter Alpha 2'' tournament.

The B4 ''Street Fighter'' Championships were held on July 15–16, 2000, in Folsom, California. B4 introduced several new Capcom fighting games to the roster: ''Street Fighter Alpha 3'', ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'', and ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes''.<ref name=Destructoid>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Virtua+Kazama/the-history-of-evo-part-1-b3-evo-2002-295912.phtml|work=Destructoid|title=The History of EVO (Part 1): B3-EVO 2002|author=Virtua Kazama|date=2015-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716195008/http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Virtua+Kazama/the-history-of-evo-part-1-b3-evo-2002-295912.phtml|archive-date=2015-07-16}}</ref> The newly released ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'' was the first non-''Street Fighter'' game to be included, and a precedent for the tournament to branch out to other games. The ''Capcom Versus'' series has since had a large presence in the Battle of the Bay and Evolution Championship Series events.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/evo-sidelined-marvel-vs-capcom-players-but-they-killed-1828107285|work=Kotaku|title=Evo Sidelined ''Marvel Vs. Capcom'' Players But They Killed It Anyway|last=Walker|first=Ian|date=2018-08-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wcuquad.com/6016113/sports/marvel-vs-capcom-2-in-evolution-championship-series/|work=The Quad|publisher=West Chester University|title=Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 in Evolution Championship Series|last=Park|first=Edward|date=2020-02-17}}</ref>

Held in August 2001 in Folsom, California, the B5 Championships was attended by a much larger international crowd, particularly from Japan. ''Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000'' made its introduction in the tournament roster at B5,<ref name=Destructoid/> and ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'' was again a headliner of the event, being described by TechTV as "the hottest arcade fighting game of the season."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2013/jul/07/curious-what-fgc-looked-back-2001-check-out-techtvs-coverage-b5-tournament-footage/|work=TechTV|title=B5 TechTV coverage|date=2001}}</ref>

In 2002, the event became formally known as its current name, "Evo". Evo 2002 took place on August 9, 2002, at the University of California, Los Angeles.

===2004–08: Change to consoles, Moment 37 and EVO Circuit=== Evo 2004 took place at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in Southern California from July 29 to August 1. The tournament amassed approximately 700 competitors from over 30 countries to compete in over nine different games.<ref name=gamespot/> The games featured included ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo'', ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'', ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'', ''Capcom vs. SNK 2'', ''Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution'', ''Guilty Gear XX'', ''Soulcalibur II'', ''Tekken 4'', and ''Tekken Tag Tournament''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evo2k.com/ |title=Tournament Results |website=www.evo2k.com |date=August 2, 2004 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325111736/http://evo2k.com/ |archive-date=March 25, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2013/dec/23/book-works-about-evo-moment-37-daigo-parry/ |title=Book in the works about EVO moment #37, the Daigo parry |website = Event Hubs |date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref>

Evo 2004 used home consoles for most of their tournament games instead of arcade cabinets, with the only exception being ''3rd Strike'' which used the more traditional arcade cabinets.<ref name=gamespot/> Evo 2004 was the birthplace of "Evo Moment #37". During the ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'' tournament, Daigo Umehara (playing as Ken), while facing Justin Wong (using Chun-Li), successfully parried one of Chun-Li's "Super Moves" while having very little health left and then countered with his own, winning the match. This highlight became highly influential within the fighting game community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penny-arcade.com/report/article/the-beast-is-unleashed-capcoms-seth-killian-explains-the-most-famous-minute|title=The Beast is Unleashed: Capcom's Seth Killian explains the most famous minute in competitive gaming |author=Kuchera, Ben|website = Penny Arcade |date=February 24, 2012 |access-date= June 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507171909/http://www.penny-arcade.com/report/article/the-beast-is-unleashed-capcoms-seth-killian-explains-the-most-famous-minute|archive-date=May 7, 2013}}</ref>

2005 was the first year Evo was held at the Green Valley Ranch casino and hotel in Las Vegas.

Evo 2006 took place at the Red Rock Resort Spa and Casino in Las Vegas. 2006 was the first year that Capcom gave its official, public support of the Evolution tournaments.{{citation needed|date=July 2011}} Traditionally, Evo has only included fighting games, but in 2006 it included ''Mario Kart DS'' in its lineup. The fighting games featured were ''Dead or Alive 4'', ''Guilty Gear XX Slash'', and ''Hyper Street Fighter II''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://evo2k.com/ |title=Archived copy |website=evo2k.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824204055/http://evo2k.com/ |archive-date=24 August 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evo2k.com/finals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202042148/http://www.evo2k.com/finals|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 2, 2007|title=EVO 2006 Championship Series, powered by Yaris|date=February 2, 2007|access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref>

Evo 2007, officially called Evo World 2007, took place from August 24 to 26 at the Green Valley Ranch, in Las Vegas. Throughout the year there were several other tournaments held throughout the US bearing the Evo name. The game roster had eight games, ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'', ''Capcom vs. SNK 2'', ''Virtua Fighter 5'', ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'', ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo'', ''Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection'', ''Guilty Gear XX Λ Core'', and ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''.

Evo 2008 took place at the Tropicana Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip. from August 8 to 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsjoystick.com/article.php?artid=47/ |title=EVO 2K8: Fighting Games Personified |last=Livingston |first=Tim |date=August 19, 2008 |website=Sports Joystick |access-date=April 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407085113/http://www.sportsjoystick.com/article.php?artid=47%2F |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The tournament would feature six games within its official roster: ''Capcom vs. SNK 2'', ''Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection'', ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'', ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo'', and ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evo2k.com/ |title=Evo 2008 Results |website=www.evo2k.com |date=August 10, 2008 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427214040/http://evo2k.com/ |archive-date=April 27, 2014 }}</ref> The ''Brawl'' tournament was widely criticized for its ruleset, which allowed items on and saw a relatively unknown player defeat Ken Hoang.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redbull.com/us/en/esports/stories/1331676782777/competitive-leadership-the-war-for-smash-bros.-4|title=Competitive Leadership: The War for Smash 4|first=Barrett|last=Womack|website=Red Bull eSports|date=September 5, 2014|access-date=September 12, 2015}}</ref>

Evo 2008 also allowed attendees a preview of ''BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger'', ''Street Fighter IV'', ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix'', and ''Tatsunoko vs. Capcom''.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}}

===2009–13: ''Street Fighter IV'', live streams, and record numbers=== thumb|right|A crowd in the main hall on day 2 of Evo 2009 Evo 2009 took place on July 17 to 19.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/evo-2009-championship-series-coming-to-las-vegas-in-july/ |title=EVO 2009 Championship Series coming to Las Vegas in July |last=Hinkle |first=David |date=February 3, 2009 |website=Joystiq |access-date=April 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072157/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/evo-2009-championship-series-coming-to-las-vegas-in-july/ |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Held at the Rio Convention Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the tournament itself would feature six games on its official roster: ''Soulcalibur IV'', ''Guilty Gear XX: Accent Core'', ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'', ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'', ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix'' and ''Street Fighter IV''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2009/jul/19/evo-finals-early-results-day-3/ |title=EVO 2009 results for Street Fighter 4, HD Remix, more |date=July 20, 2009 |website=EventHubs |access-date=April 1, 2014}}</ref> Notably, the newly released ''Street Fighter IV'' increased Evo attendance by a considerable margin, and the tournament for it alone boasted more than 1000 participants, almost three times that of the tournaments for the other games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.t-ono.net/Events/Evolution-Championship-Series-2009-Report/If-you-build-it.html/ |title=Evolution Championship Series 2009 Report |last=Fan |first=Davis |date=August 4, 2009 |website=The O-Network |access-date=April 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325020953/http://t-ono.net/Events/Evolution-Championship-Series-2009-Report/If-you-build-it.html |archive-date=March 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Evo 2010, held at Caesars Palace from July 9, 2010 through July 11, 2010 had a massive number of competitors, with ''Super Street Fighter IV'' amassing approximately 1,800 players to duel for a $20,000 guaranteed prize pot. Most notable in this EVO was Justin Wong cementing his dominance in ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'' in its proverbial swan song, defeating the champion of the previous year, Sanford Kelly. Also notable was Wong failing to make the top 8 in ''Super Street Fighter IV'', falling victim first to Vance "Vangief" Wu, and soon after to Taiwanese player Bruce "GamerBee" Hsiang. ''Melty Blood: Actress Again'' was included after a poll on Shoryuken.com to decide on the final game of the tournament, beating out ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'', ''Capcom vs. SNK 2'', ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'', ''Soulcalibur IV'', and ''The King of Fighters XII''.<ref>[http://shoryuken.com/f8/evo-2010-players-choice-poll-223810/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712145509/http://shoryuken.com/f8/evo-2010-players-choice-poll-223810/|date=July 12, 2010}}</ref> ''BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger'' was to be included, but after a majority of the community moved on to ''BlazBlue: Continuum Shift'', the decision was made to replace it with ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2''. Also notable was G4's limited coverage of the event, even offering ''X-Play'' host Adam Sessler for commentary of the ''Super Street Fighter IV'' finals.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jake Gaskill |url=http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/706106/g4-and-capcom-team-up-for-epic-evo-2010-coverage/ |title=G4 And Capcom Team Up For Epic EVO 2010 Coverage |publisher=G4tv.com |date=July 8, 2010 |access-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112204046/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/706106/g4-and-capcom-team-up-for-epic-evo-2010-coverage/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:EVO 2011 Street Fighter cosplayers.jpg|thumb|''Street Fighter'' cosplayers at Evo 2011]]

For Evo 2011, a tournament season was announced in which players could earn ranking points at one of eight tournaments. It took place at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino from July 29 to 31, utilizing a {{convert|55,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} ballroom. All 50 states of the U.S. were represented, as well as 44 additional countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://evo2k.com/?p=819 |title=Evo2k.com |publisher=Evo2k.com |access-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130123252/http://evo2k.com/?p=819 |archive-date=November 30, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://shoryuken.com/2011/08/02/evo-2011-wrap-up-and-thanks/ |title=EVO 2011 Wrap Up and Thanks |publisher=shoryuken.com |date=August 2, 2011 |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806082936/http://shoryuken.com/2011/08/02/evo-2011-wrap-up-and-thanks/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its livestream was watched by over 2 million unique viewers on UStream over the course of the event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iplaywinner.com/news/2011/8/4/evo2k11-smashes-online-viewership-records.html |title=EVO2K11 Smashes Online Viewership Records |publisher=iplaywinner.com |date=August 4, 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806082941/http://iplaywinner.com/news/2011/8/4/evo2k11-smashes-online-viewership-records.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In attendance was Street Fighter series producer Ono Yoshinori, who announced a free balance patch for ''Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/08/2012-will-get-a-new-super-street-fighter-iv-version/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922145315/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/08/2012-will-get-a-new-super-street-fighter-iv-version/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |title=2012 Will Get A New Super Street Fighter IV Version |publisher=Kotaku |date=August 1, 2011 |first=Brian |last=Ashcraft |access-date=August 1, 2011}}</ref> ''Tekken'' series producer Katsuhiro Harada was also on hand to show new mechanics for ''Tekken Tag Tournament 2'' and ''Soulcalibur V''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/arcade/action/tekkentagtournament2/video/6326224/tekken-tag-tournament-2-gameplay-movie-1? |title=Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Gameplay Movie 1 (Arcade Games) Check out the demo of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 as it was seen at EVO 2011. |website=GameSpot |date=August 1, 2011 |access-date=August 1, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/08/soul-calibur-v-turned-evo-2011-into-the-stage-of-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922145342/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/08/soul-calibur-v-turned-evo-2011-into-the-stage-of-history/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |title=Soul Calibur V Turned EVO 2011 Into The Stage Of History |publisher=Kotaku |date=August 1, 2011 |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |access-date=August 1, 2011}}</ref> Other unreleased games shown were ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', ''King of Fighters XIII'', ''Skullgirls'' and ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition''. A ''Skullgirls'' side tournament was held in which the winner received a one-of-a-kind Skullgirls-themed arcade stick.<ref name="uk.gamespot.com">{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps3/action/the-king-of-fighters-xiii/video/6326179 |title=King of Fighters XIII EVO 2011 Interview (PlayStation 3) |website=GameSpot |date=August 1, 2011 |access-date=August 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123201602/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps3/action/the-king-of-fighters-xiii/video/6326179 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://iplaywinner.com/news/2011/7/26/participate-in-the-skullgirls-side-tourney-at-evo-win-a-one.html |title=Participate in the Skullgirls Side Tourney at EVO, Win a One-of-a-Kind Stick |publisher=iPlayWinner |date=August 1, 2011 |access-date=August 1, 2011 |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806082935/http://iplaywinner.com/news/2011/7/26/participate-in-the-skullgirls-side-tourney-at-evo-win-a-one.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Media outlets G4, GameSpot and Destructoid were all present to cover the event.<ref name="uk.gamespot.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/evo2k11-interview-with-producer-yoshinori-ono-207572.phtml |title=Evo2k11: Interview with producer Yoshinori Ono |publisher=Destructoid |date=August 1, 2011 |access-date=August 1, 2011 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807025244/http://www.destructoid.com/evo2k11-interview-with-producer-yoshinori-ono-207572.phtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Evo 2012 took place July 6 to 8, 2012, at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iplaywinner.com/news/2011/10/16/evo-2012-goes-down-july-6th-8th-2012-at-caesars-palace.html |title=EVO 2012 Goes Down July 6th - 8th, 2012 at Caesars Palace |publisher=iPlayWinner |date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011 |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806082934/http://iplaywinner.com/news/2011/10/16/evo-2012-goes-down-july-6th-8th-2012-at-caesars-palace.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On January 3, Joey Cuellar announced that Evo 2012 would have 6 main tournament games, ''Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (Version 2012)'', ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', ''Mortal Kombat'', ''Soulcalibur V'', ''The King of Fighters XIII'' and ''Street Fighter X Tekken''. The tournament series from the previous year returned, featuring seeding points for all six games in 17 events all across the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shoryuken.com/2012/01/03/introducing-the-evo-2012-game-linup-and-tournament-season/ |title=Introducing the Evo 2012 Game Lineup and Tournament Season! |publisher=shoryuken.com |date=January 3, 2012 |access-date=January 4, 2012 }}</ref>

Evo 2013 was announced on December 2, 2012. It was held on July 12–14 at Paris Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shoryuken.com/2012/12/02/evo-2013-july-12-14-at-paris-hotel-and-casino-las-vegas/|title=Evo 2013, July 12-14 at Paris Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas|last1=Cuellar|first1=Joey|date=December 2, 2012|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=January 8, 2013|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201071839/http://shoryuken.com/2012/12/02/evo-2013-july-12-14-at-paris-hotel-and-casino-las-vegas/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 8, Joey Cuellar announced that EVO 2013 would have eight main tournament games, with the first seven revealed being ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', ''Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (Version 2012)'', ''Tekken Tag Tournament 2'', ''Mortal Kombat'', ''Street Fighter X Tekken (Version 2013)'', ''The King of Fighters XIII'', and ''Persona 4 Arena''. The eighth game was voted on by players via online donations, all proceeds of which went to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shoryuken.com/2013/01/08/evo-2013-details-game-lineup-get-your-game-to-evo-and-road-to-evo-events/|title=Evo 2013 Details! Game Lineup, Get Your Game to Evo, and Road to Evo Events|last1=Cannon|first1=Tom|date=January 8, 2013|work=Shoryuken|access-date=January 8, 2013|archive-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127041409/http://shoryuken.com/2013/01/08/evo-2013-details-game-lineup-get-your-game-to-evo-and-road-to-evo-events/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The eventual winner of the poll was ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' with $94,683 raised for that game, while the total amount of donations was $225,744.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shoryuken.com/2013/02/01/fighting-game-fans-raise-over-225000-for-breast-cancer-research-smash-wins/|title=Fighting Game Fans Raise over $225,000 for Breast Cancer Research. Smash Wins!|last1=Cannon|first1=Tom|date=February 1, 2013|work=Shoryuken|access-date=February 1, 2013|archive-date=January 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130090146/http://shoryuken.com/2013/02/01/fighting-game-fans-raise-over-225000-for-breast-cancer-research-smash-wins/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nintendo of America initially sent a cease and desist letter to cancel the streaming of ''Melee'' matches, although after popular backlash a live stream was ultimately allowed to be carried out as planned.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://shoryuken.com/2013/07/09/changes-to-evo-2013-smash-schedule/|title= Update: Smash is Back!! Changes to Evo 2013 Smash Schedule|last1= Cannon|first1= Tom|date= July 9, 2013|website= Shoryuken|access-date= July 16, 2013|archive-date= July 14, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130714051635/http://shoryuken.com/2013/07/09/changes-to-evo-2013-smash-schedule/|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/the-super-smash-bros.-community-raised-money-for-charity-and-awareness-and-|title= Nintendo yanks Super Smash Bros. streaming from EVO, just as quickly reverses decision|last1= Groen|first1= Andrew|date= July 9, 2013|website= The PA Report|access-date= July 16, 2013|archive-date= July 14, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130714060038/http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/the-super-smash-bros.-community-raised-money-for-charity-and-awareness-and-|url-status= dead}}</ref> On May 7, 2013, it was announced that ''Injustice: Gods Among Us'' would be a main tournament game, thus expanding the game roster from eight to nine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shoryuken.com/2013/05/07/injustice-gods-among-us-added-to-official-evo-2013-lineup/|title=Injustice: Gods Among Us Added to Official EVO 2013 Lineup|last1=Cannon|first1=Tom|date=February 1, 2013|work=Shoryuken|access-date=May 7, 2013|archive-date=November 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117193421/http://shoryuken.com/2013/05/07/injustice-gods-among-us-added-to-official-evo-2013-lineup/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2014–19: ''Smash'' boom and international growth=== Evo 2014 was announced on September 15, 2013. It was held on July 11–13, 2014 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino<ref name="Evo2014" /> On February 6, 2014, Cuellar announced that Evo 2014 would include ''BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma'', ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', ''Injustice: Gods Among Us'', ''The King of Fighters XIII'', ''Killer Instinct'', and ''Ultra Street Fighter IV'' while also mentioning that discussions were ongoing with Nintendo on the possible inclusion of ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://shoryuken.com/2014/02/06/evo-2014-lineup-revealed/|title= Evo 2014 Lineup Revealed!|last1= Cannon|first1= Tom|website= Shoryuken|access-date=February 6, 2014}}</ref> ''Melee'' was eventually officially added to the roster with Nintendo's approval.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shoryuken.com/2014/03/12/super-smash-bros-melee-joins-the-evo-2014-roster/ |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee Joins the Evo 2014 Roster! |last1=Cannon |first1=Tom |date=March 12, 2014 |website=Shoryuken |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813070418/http://shoryuken.com/2014/03/12/super-smash-bros-melee-joins-the-evo-2014-roster/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/12/5500590/super-smash-bros-melee-joins-evo-2014-roster-with-nintendos-approval |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee joins Evo 2014 roster with Nintendo's approval |last1=Corriea |first1=Alexa Ray |date=March 12, 2014 |website=Polygon |access-date=March 13, 2014}}</ref> ''Tekken Tag Tournament 2'' was also later added to the roster.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shoryuken.com/2014/04/03/tekken-tag-tournament-2-added-to-the-evo-2014-lineup-bandai-namco-joins-as-sponsor/ |title=Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Added to the Evo 2014 Lineup, Bandai Namco Joins as Sponsor |date=April 3, 2014 |website=Shoryuken |access-date=April 3, 2014 |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711062644/http://shoryuken.com/2014/04/03/tekken-tag-tournament-2-added-to-the-evo-2014-lineup-bandai-namco-joins-as-sponsor/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Evo 2015 took place on July 17–19, 2015 at the Bally's / Paris Las Vegas Casino.<ref name="Evo2015">{{cite web |url=http://shoryuken.com/2014/10/28/evolution-championship-series-returns-july-17-19-at-ballys-paris-las-vegas/ |title=Evolution Championship Series Returns July 17–19 at Bally's / Paris Las Vegas |last1=Walker |first1=Ian |date=October 28, 2014 |website=Shoryuken |access-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206035913/http://shoryuken.com/2014/10/28/evolution-championship-series-returns-july-17-19-at-ballys-paris-las-vegas/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On January 20, 2015, Cuellar announced that Evo 2015 would include ''Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-'', ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', ''Killer Instinct'', ''Mortal Kombat X'', ''Persona 4 Arena Ultimax'', ''Ultra Street Fighter IV'', ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', and ''Tekken 7''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shoryuken.com/2015/01/20/evo-2015-lineup-announcement-show-now-streaming-live/ |title=Evo 2015 Lineup Announced; Street Fighter, Persona, Tekken, and More! |last1=Walker |first1=Ian |date=January 20, 2015 |website=Shoryuken |access-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121063408/http://shoryuken.com/2015/01/20/evo-2015-lineup-announcement-show-now-streaming-live/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

While EVO 2015 initially was supposed to run on the PlayStation 4 version for ''Ultra Street Fighter IV'', the tournament instead used the Xbox 360 version, due to a large number of bugs and glitches found by players in the newly released port.<ref name=polygon-evops4>{{cite web|title=Ultra Street Fighter 4 tournament play at Evo 2015 shifts to Xbox 360 after shaky PS4 launch|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/1/8701591/ultra-street-fighter-4-evo-2015-ps4-to-xbox-360|website=Polygon|date=June 2015|access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> Cuellar also confirmed that EVO 2015 would use the technically outdated build of ''Persona 4 Arena Ultimax'' on PlayStation 3.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Ian|title=EVO 2015 to use Persona 4 Arena Ultimax's technically outdated PS3 version.|url=http://shoryuken.com/2015/03/24/evo-2015-to-use-persona-4-arena-ultimaxs-current-console-build/|website=shoryuken.com|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=May 28, 2015|archive-date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528230111/http://shoryuken.com/2015/03/24/evo-2015-to-use-persona-4-arena-ultimaxs-current-console-build/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 25, Cuellar confirmed that both ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' and ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' surpassed 1,500 entrants each. Cuellar later confirmed that ''Ultra Street Fighter IV'' surpassed 2,000 entrants.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Ian|title=Smash 4, Melee, and Street Fighter numbers are ridiculous|url=http://shoryuken.com/2015/05/25/evo-2015s-street-fighter-smash-registration-numbers-are-getting-ridiculous/|website=shoryuken.com|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=May 28, 2015|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527165639/http://shoryuken.com/2015/05/25/evo-2015s-street-fighter-smash-registration-numbers-are-getting-ridiculous/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Macone|first1=John|title=Ultra Street Fighter IV surpasses 2,000 entrants at EVO 2015.|url=http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2015/jun/21/slew-competition-ultra-street-fighter-4-evo-2015-passes-2000-attendents/|website=eventhubs.com|date=June 21, 2015|publisher=Eventhubs|access-date=June 28, 2015}}</ref> EVO 2015 also acted as a Capcom Cup qualifier for ''Ultra Street Fighter IV'', as well as a Killer Instinct World Cup qualifier for ''Killer Instinct'', with both games receiving respective bonus pots of $50,000 from Capcom/Sony and Iron Galaxy/Microsoft respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=EVO 2015 to act as a Capcom Cup qualifier|url=http://capcomprotour.com/rules/|website=capcomprotour.com|publisher=Capcom|access-date=May 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EVO 2015 to act as a Killer Instinct World Cup qualifier|url=http://www.ultraarcade.com/killerinstinctworldcup/|website=ultraarcade.com|publisher=Ultra Arcade|access-date=May 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Ian|title=Killer Instinct Community Fund Reaches $100,000 Goal in Three Days: EVO 2015 to receive half of the money|url=http://shoryuken.com/2015/05/04/killer-instinct-community-fund-reaches-100000-goal-in-three-days/|website=shoryuken.com|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=May 28, 2015|archive-date=May 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525212057/http://shoryuken.com/2015/05/04/killer-instinct-community-fund-reaches-100000-goal-in-three-days/|url-status=dead}}</ref> NetherRealm and Warner Bros. have also donated $50K towards the bonus pot for ''Mortal Kombat X'', due to the success of the Blue Steel Sub-Zero skin.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Ian|title=Mortal Kombat X receives $50K Bonus Pot from NetherRealm and Warner Bros. for EVO 2015.|url=http://shoryuken.com/2015/06/04/evo-2015s-mortal-kombat-x-prize-pool-receives-50000-boost/|website=shoryuken.com|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=June 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604171550/http://shoryuken.com/2015/06/04/evo-2015s-mortal-kombat-x-prize-pool-receives-50000-boost/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, Atlus has donated $10K towards the bonus pot for ''Persona 4 Arena Ultimax'', while Arc System Works and Aksys Games donated the same amount to the bonus pot for ''Guilty Gear Xrd''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Ian|title=Atlus Drop $10K Pot Bonus Towards EVO 2015 Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Prize Pool|url=http://shoryuken.com/2015/06/09/atlus-drops-10000-bonus-into-evo-2015s-persona-4-arena-ultimax-prize-pool/|website=shoryuken.com|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=June 9, 2015|archive-date=June 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610024924/http://shoryuken.com/2015/06/09/atlus-drops-10000-bonus-into-evo-2015s-persona-4-arena-ultimax-prize-pool/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bandai Namco has announced that they have provided a $30K bonus pot for ''Tekken 7'' as well as providing all competitors in said game an exclusive T-shirt featuring franchise veteran Lili and Tekken Revolution newcomer Eliza.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Ian|title=Bandai Namco provides $30K Bonus Pot and Exclusive T-Shirts for Tekken 7 competitors.|url=http://shoryuken.com/2015/07/01/bandai-namco-provides-30000-to-evo-2015s-tekken-7-prize-pool-spiffy-shirts-for-competitors/|website=shoryuken.com|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702041927/http://shoryuken.com/2015/07/01/bandai-namco-provides-30000-to-evo-2015s-tekken-7-prize-pool-spiffy-shirts-for-competitors/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

thumb|right|The Evo 2016 ''Street Fighter V'' finals in the Madalay Bay Evo 2016 took place from July 15–17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, while Sunday finals took take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The tournament featured ''Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR-'', ''Street Fighter V'', ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', ''Mortal Kombat XL'', ''Pokkén Tournament'', ''Killer Instinct'', ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', and ''Tekken 7: Fated Retribution''. The tournaments for ''Street Fighter V'', ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', ''Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR-'', ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', and ''Mortal Kombat XL'' finished on Sunday.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Ian|title=EVO 2016 Lineup Revealed|url=http://shoryuken.com/2016/01/26/evo-2016-lineup-revealed-street-fighter-smash-guilty-gear-pokken-and-more/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128075821/http://shoryuken.com/2016/01/26/evo-2016-lineup-revealed-street-fighter-smash-guilty-gear-pokken-and-more/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2016|website=shoryuken.com|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=January 26, 2016}}</ref> The finals for ''Street Fighter V'' was broadcast live on ESPN2 and live coverage of the tournament was available through ESPN's WatchESPN service, in addition to the tournament's regular Twitch streams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2016/07/espn2-televise-street-fighter-v-world-championship-evolution-championship-series-final-july-17/|last1=Yang|first1=Angela|title=ESPN2 to Televise Street Fighter V World Championship from the Evolution Championship Series Final July 17|publisher=ESPN|website=ESPN MediaZone|date=July 2016|access-date=July 9, 2016}}</ref>

Joey Cuellar has announced record breaking numbers which includes ''Street Fighter V'' reaching more than 5,000 entrants, Smash 4 and Melee each reaching more than 2,000; Pokkén reaching more than 1,000 entrants while other games either increased or decreased.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=MrWiz|author=Joey Cuellar|number=751082933276909569|date=7 July 2016|title=Evo 2016 Numbers - SFV 5107, Smash 4 - 2662, Melee - 2372, Pokken - 1180, GGxrd - 910, UMvC3 - 782, MKXL - 713, T7FR - 549, KI - 546}}</ref> Like EVO 2015's Ultra Street Fighter IV finals, Capcom and Sony have provided a $50,000 bonus pot towards Street Fighter V's prize pool and is also a Capcom Pro Tour qualifier.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jurek|first1=Steven|title=Big changes are coming to the Capcom Pro Tour in 2016|url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/capcom-pro-tour-2016/|website=Daily Dot|access-date=June 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509202414/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/capcom-pro-tour-2016/|archive-date=May 9, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Pokémon Company has announced a $10,000 bonus pot towards Pokkén Tournament's prize pool and is a Pokkén Tournament Championship Series qualifier, with 1st and 2nd place being able to qualify for the finals.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Ian|title=Pokkén Tournament Championship Series Receives $100,000 Prize Pool|url=http://shoryuken.com/2016/03/08/pokken-tournament-championship-series-receives-100000-prize-pool/|website=Shoryuken|access-date=June 20, 2016|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617104207/http://shoryuken.com/2016/03/08/pokken-tournament-championship-series-receives-100000-prize-pool/|url-status=dead}}</ref> As with EVO 2015, NetherRealm and Warner Bros. have provided a $50,000 bonus pot towards Mortal Kombat XL's prize pool.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Michael|title=Mortal Kombat X gets $50,000 pot bonus for Evo 2016|url=https://esports.yahoo.com/mortal-kombat-x-gets-50-000000060.html|website=Yahoo! eSports|date=June 20, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> ''Killer Instinct'' will be receiving a $15,000 bonus pot as part of the KI Ultra Tour funding.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rukari|title=LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR EVO 2016!|url=http://www.ultra-combo.com/last-chance-sign-evo-2016/|website=Ultra Combo|date=June 29, 2016|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref> On July 11, Aksys Games announced a $10,000 bonus pot towards Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR-'s prize pool.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mikuthulhu|title=EVO 2016: POT BONUSES, DAISUKE AND MORI, BBCF; OH BOY!|url=http://www.aksysgames.com/2016/07/11/evo-2016-pot-bonuses-daisuke-and-mori-bbcf-oh-boy/|website=Aksys Games|access-date=July 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714191607/http://www.aksysgames.com/2016/07/11/evo-2016-pot-bonuses-daisuke-and-mori-bbcf-oh-boy/|archive-date=July 14, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Evo 2017 took place on July 14 to 16 with the entire event being held at the Mandalay Bay resort.<ref>{{cite web|last1=S. Good|first1=Owen|title=Evo 2017 is back in Las Vegas this July|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/11/16/13656122/evo-2017-date-location|website=Polygon|date=November 16, 2016|access-date=2017-01-25}}</ref> The tournament featured ''Guilty Gear Xrd REV2'', ''BlazBlue: Central Fiction'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', ''Injustice 2'', ''Street Fighter V'', ''Tekken 7'', ''The King of Fighters XIV'', and ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kwilinski|first1=Darin|title=Evo 2017 lineup announced, Melee missing from Sunday finals|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/18547482/central-fiction-tekken-7-come-evolution-championship-series-2017|website=ESPN|date=January 25, 2017|access-date=2017-01-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Arif|first1=Shabana|title=EVO 2017 lineup includes Injustice 2 alongside tournament staples like Super Smash Melee and Wii U|url=https://www.vg247.com/2017/01/25/evo-2017-lineup-includes-injustice-2-alongside-tournament-staples-like-super-smash-melee-and-wii-u/|website=VG247|date=January 25, 2017|access-date=2017-01-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Porter|first1=Matt|title=EVO 2017 Game Line-up Announced|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2017/01/25/evo-2017-game-line-up-announced|website=IGN|date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=2017-01-25}}</ref> The ninth game was chosen by a donation drive which all of the funds have gone towards Make-A-Wish International. ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'' was the winning game with ''Pokkén Tournament'' being the runner-up. Other games in contention were ''Skullgirls: 2nd Encore'', ''ARMS'', ''Mortal Kombat XL'', ''Nidhogg'', ''Windjammers'', ''Killer Instinct'', and ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo''. The Sunday finals included ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'' (as the opening game), ''BlazBlue: Central Fiction'', ''Tekken 7'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', and ''Street Fighter V''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Khan|first1=Imad|title=Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 wins Evo vote, raises over $71,000 for charity|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/18647003/ultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3-wins-evo-vote|website=ESPN|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=2017-02-08}}</ref> Upon the victory of ''UMvC3'', Cuellar announced that Evo 2017 would be running the event with the PlayStation 4 version being used.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=MrWiz|author=Joey Cuellar|number=829451170221420545|date=8 February 2017|title=We will be using the PlayStation 4 version of Marvel for the grand finale of UMvC3 at Evo 2017! #Evo2017}}</ref>

Evo 2018 took place on August 3 to 5 with the entire event being held at the Mandalay Bay resort.<ref>{{cite web|last1=S. Good|first1=Owen|title=Prepare for the next fight: Evo 2018's date and location revealed in the official announcement trailer|url=http://shoryuken.com/2017/10/25/prepare-for-the-next-fight-evo-2018s-date-and-location-revealed-in-the-official-announcement-trailer/|access-date=2018-04-24|archive-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425114630/http://shoryuken.com/2017/10/25/prepare-for-the-next-fight-evo-2018s-date-and-location-revealed-in-the-official-announcement-trailer/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tournament featured ''Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition'', ''Tekken 7'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', ''BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle'', ''Guilty Gear Xrd REV2'', ''Injustice 2'', and ''Dragon Ball FighterZ''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McWhertor|first1=Michael|title=Evo 2018 lineup includes Street Fighter 5, Melee and Dragon Ball |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/6/16983146/evo-2018-lineup-games-street-fighter-5-smash-bros-tekken-7-dragon-ball-fighterz|website=Polygon|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=2018-07-13}}</ref>

Evo 2019 took place on August 2 to 4 with the entire event being held at the Mandalay Bay resort.<ref name="evo2019">{{cite web |last1=Sildra |first1=Zavian |title=The Evo 2019 main stage game lineup has been revealed! |url=http://shoryuken.com/2019/02/26/the-evo-2019-main-stage-game-lineup-has-been-revealed/ |website=Shoryuken |access-date=28 February 2019 |date=26 February 2019 |archive-date=February 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228191908/http://shoryuken.com/2019/02/26/the-evo-2019-main-stage-game-lineup-has-been-revealed/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The tournament featured ''Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition'', ''Tekken 7'', ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', ''Mortal Kombat 11'', ''Soulcalibur VI'', ''[[Under Night In-Birth|Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st]]]'', ''Dragon Ball FighterZ'', ''BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle'', and ''Samurai Shodown''.

===2020–present: COVID-19 cancellation and new ownership=== Evo 2020 was to have taken place from July 31 to August 2 at the Mandalay Bay resort. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical event had been canceled, with all event and hotel reservations to be refunded. Online tournament events had been scheduled from July 4 to August 2 as replacement activities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/1/21244569/evo-2020-canceled-online-coronavirus-las-vegas | title= Evo 2020 canceled due to coronavirus pandemic, online event coming | first=Nicole | last=Carpenter | date=May 1, 2020 | access-date =May 1, 2020 | work=Polygon }}</ref> However, at the start of July 2020, charges of sexual misconduct were leveled at EVO CEO Joey Cuellar. The EVO board released Cuellar on July 2 and replaced him with Tony Cannon as interim CEO but by then, several publishers including Capcom, Bandai Namco, NetherRealm, and Mane6 had decided to pull out from the event. The EVO board decided to cancel the event, refund those tickets and donate the remaining funds to Project HOPE.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/evo-2020-has-been-cancelled/1100-6479302/ | title = EVO 2020 Has Been Cancelled | first= James | last= O'Conner | date = July 2, 2020 | access-date = July 2, 2020 | work = GameSpot }}</ref>

On March 18, 2021, it was announced that Evo had been acquired by a joint venture between Sony Interactive Entertainment and the talent agency Endeavor (RTS). It was concurrently announced that Evo Online 2021 will be held August 6–8 and August 13–15, 2021, and feature ''Guilty Gear Strive,'' ''Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate,'' ''Street Fighter V: Champion Edition'', ''Tekken 7'', and ''Skullgirls: 2nd Encore''. Evo stated that the Sony ownership of the competition will not affect its ability to include events for non-PlayStation games, although all games in the 2021 lineup are either available on, or console-exclusive to, PlayStation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|date=2021-03-18|title=Sony acquires world's largest fighting-game tourney series|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/03/sony-acquires-worlds-largest-fighting-game-tourney-series/|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2021-03-18|title=Sony acquires Evo fighting games championship series|url=https://www.polygon.com/22338772/sony-buys-evo-evo-online-2021-rts-endeavor-deal-tony-tom-cannon|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref>

Evo 2022 took place from August 5 to 7 at the Mandalay Bay resort. The event is the first since 2019 to take place in-person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament featured ''Dragon Ball FighterZ'', ''Granblue Fantasy: Versus'', ''Guilty Gear Strive'', ''The King of Fighters XV'', ''Melty Blood: Type Lumina'', ''Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate'', ''Skullgirls: 2nd Encore'', ''Street Fighter V: Champion Edition'', and ''Tekken 7''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dinsdale |first1=Ryan |title=EVO 2022 Lineup Announced: Street Fighter V, Tekken 7 Headline This Year's Event |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/street-fighter-v-tekken-7-headline-evo-2022s-9-game-lineup |website=IGN |access-date=9 March 2022 |language=en |date=9 March 2022}}</ref>

Evo 2023 was announced for August 4 to 6, with ''Street Fighter 6'', ''Guilty Gear Strive'', ''Dragon Ball FighterZ'', ''The King of Fighters XV'', ''Melty Blood: Type Lumina'', ''Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate'' and ''Tekken 7'' all being featured. ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'' was also announced as the eighth game of the lineup, serving to launch a new category dubbed a Throwback Tournament. Additionally, a pre-release tournament for ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'' was held, acting as the unofficial ninth lineup title. The event also underwent a format change, with finals switching from Top 8 to Top 6, seemingly due to runtime concerns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/evo-2023-line-up-announcement-features-street-fighter-6-and-brings-old-marvel-3-players-out-of-retirement|title=Evo 2023 line-up announcement features Street Fighter 6 and brings old Marvel 3 players out of retirement|date=February 22, 2023|website=VG247|access-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref>

With 9,182 entrants, Evo 2023 was the largest Evo tournament in its over two decade history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dexerto.com/esports/evo-founders-awarded-key-to-the-city-of-las-vegas-as-evo-day-is-born-2239014/|title=EVO founders awarded key to the City of Las Vegas as EVO Day is born|last=Glaze|first=Virginia|website=Dexerto|date=August 6, 2023|access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref>

EVO 2024 took place from July 19 to 21 and was held in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The lineup included ''Street Fighter 6'', ''Tekken 8'', ''Mortal Kombat 1'', ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'', ''[[Under Night In-Birth II|Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]]]'', ''Guilty Gear -Strive-'', and ''The King of Fighters XV'', with ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'' being the year's Throwback Tournament in celebration of both the 25th anniversary of the game, as well as the 20th anniversary of Moment #37.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/08/evo-2024-set-for-july-26-to-28|title=EVO 2024 set for July 26 to 28|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=August 6, 2023|access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref>

EVO 2025 was held from August 1 to August 3, with a lineup of ''Street Fighter 6'', ''Tekken 8'', ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'', ''Guilty Gear -Strive-'', ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]'', ''Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves'', and ''Mortal Kombat 1'', with ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'' being featured as the Throwback Tournament. Additionally, 2025 rebranded the Evo Community Showcase to the Evo Extended Lineup, a series of side tournaments officially organized and recognized by Evo despite not being featured in the main arena lineup. The Extended Lineup included ''Killer Instinct'', ''Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.'', ''Rivals of Aether II'', ''The King of Fighters XV'', ''BlazBlue: Central Fiction'', ''Guilty Gear Xrd REV2'', ''Samurai Shodown'' and ''Capcom vs. SNK 2''. The Top 8 format also returned.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/evo-2025-full-game-lineup | title=Evo 2025: Full Game Lineup, Schedule, and All Changes | date=January 15, 2025 }}</ref>

EVO 2026 will see the Extended Lineup and Throwback Tournament being scrapped in place of the main lineup featuring twelve games, with the six highest-entered games being featured on the arena stage. The year's lineup will include ''Street Fighter 6'', ''Tekken 8'', ''Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves'', ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]'', ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'', ''Rivals of Aether II'', ''Invincible VS'', ''Vampire Savior'', ''Guilty Gear -STRIVE-'', ''BlazBlue: Central Fiction'', ''Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage'', and ''2XKO''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/evo-2026-and-evo-japan-2026-title-lineups-announced|title=EVO 2026 and EVO Japan 2026 title lineups announced|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=December 10, 2025|access-date=December 10, 2025}}</ref>

==Outside Vegas== In 2010, the Evolution Championship organizers announced an official spin-off to the tournament series called "Evo vs Godsgarden", to be held in Japan the following year. However, the tournament was called off following the Tohoku earthquake and postponed indefinitely. During a Nico Nico livestream following Evo 2013, Cuellar stated that he was still interested in holding a Japan-based tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/7/15/4524376/evo-japan-can-still-happen-says-tournament-founder|work=Polygon|title=EVO Japan can still happen, says tournament founder|last=Corriea|first=Alexa Ray|date=2013-07-15}}</ref>

It was announced at Evo 2016 that a separate event simply titled "Evo Japan" is to be held in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/7/17/12210570/evo-japan-announced|website=Polygon|title=Evo Japan announced, more details at Tokyo Game Show|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2016-07-17}}</ref> Japanese media companies {{ill|Aetas|ja|デジタルハーツホールディングス#エンターテイメント事業}}, {{ill|Hearts United Group|ja|デジタルハーツホールディングス}}, and {{ill|Shochiku Broadcasting|ja|松竹ブロードキャスティング}} together invested a total of US$1 million into the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://esports.yahoo.com/japanese-media-invests-1-million-in-evo-japan-191720826.html|work=Yahoo esports|title=Japanese media invests $1 million in Evo Japan|last=Martin|first=Michael|date=2016-09-07}}</ref> During a presentation at the Tokyo Game Show in 2016, the Evolution organizers announced that the tournament is to be held in January 2018, while some form of "pre-tournament" took place in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://esports.yahoo.com/evo-japan-coming-january-2018-173249405.html|work=Yahoo Esports|title=Evo Japan coming in January 2018|last=Martin|first=Michael|date=2016-09-15}}</ref>

At Evo 2017, the Evo Japan 2018 lineup was revealed to consist of ''Street Fighter V'', ''Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2'', ''Tekken 7'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', ''BlazBlue: Central Fiction'', ''The King of Fighters XIV'', and ''ARMS''; the event took place from January 26 to 28.<ref name="evo jp pgon">{{cite web|last1=Ramos|first1=Jeff|title=Evo Japan will mark Arms' fighting game tournament debut|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/7/16/15979838/evo-japan-2018-dates-games-trailer|website=Polygon|date=July 16, 2017|access-date=2017-07-18}}</ref> The lineup is known to emphasize titles that are popular in Japan, as titles such as ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', ''Injustice 2'', and ''Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite'' are notably absent mostly due to their lack of popularity in the region.<ref name="evo jp lineup">{{cite web|last1=Mejia|first1=Ozzie|title=EVO 2017: Evo Japan 2018 lineup includes Street Fighter 5, ARMS, and more|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/7/16/15979838/evo-japan-2018-dates-games-trailer|website=Shacknews|date=July 16, 2017|access-date=2017-07-18}}</ref><ref name="gamerev evo jp">{{cite web|last1=Leack|first1=Jonathan|title=ARMS Is Joining EVO Japan 2018's Lineup|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/341171-arms-joining-evo-japan-2018s-lineup|website=Game Revolution|date=July 17, 2017|access-date=2017-07-18}}</ref>

Despite the 7,000 entrants, Evo Japan ended up reporting a $1.13m loss according to financial reports by Hearts United Group.<ref name="evo jp revenue loss">{{cite web|last1=Mitrevski|first1=Lydia|title=EVO Japan reports $1.13m loss due to lack of sponsorship|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2018/05/evo-japan-reports-loss|website=eSports Insider|date=May 13, 2018|access-date=2018-05-13}}</ref>

Evo Japan 2019 was held in February 2019.

In October 2019, it was revealed that ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' would be the headlining game for ''Evo Japan 2020''.<ref name="evo jp 20">{{cite web |last1=Purslow |first1=Matt |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Will Be Evo Japan 2020's Main Title |url=https://ca.ign.com/articles/2019/10/14/super-smash-bros-ultimate-will-be-evo-japan-2020s-main-title |website=IGN |date=October 14, 2019 |access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref>

Following EVO 2022, the Evo Japan 2023 tournament was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashley |first=Jordan |date=2022-08-08 |title=EVO Japan Returns in 2023 – Line-Up, Dates and Event Info |url=https://www.esports.net/news/evo-japan-returns-in-2023-dates-line-up/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Esports.net |language=en-US}}</ref> This will have a lineup of ''Guilty Gear Strive'', ''Street Fighter V'', ''Tekken 7'', ''The King of Fighters XV'', ''Granblue Fantasy: Versus'', ''Melty Blood: Type Lumina'', and ''Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown''. The event was planned to take place in March 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-11-07/evo-japan-2023-tournament-reveals-full-main-game-lineup/.191625|title=EVO Japan 2023 Tournament Reveals Full Main Game Lineup|first=Adriana|last=Hazra|website=Anime News Network|date=November 7, 2022|access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref>

In August 2023, it was announced that the Evo Japan 2024 tournament will be held in April 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/08/evo-japan-2024-set-for-april-27-to-29|title=EVO Japan 2024 set for April 27 to 29|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=August 6, 2023|access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref> The year's lineup included ''Street Fighter 6'', ''Tekken 8'', ''Guilty Gear Strive'', ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'', ''The King of Fighters XV'', and ''[[Under Night In-Birth II|Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]]]'', with ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'' as the Throwback Tournament.

August 2023 also saw an announcement that Evo will be introducing a third event in a new location in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-07 |title=Evo (@Evo) on X ("Evo will be heading to new locations with brand new events in 2024! Stay tuned for more information.") |url=https://twitter.com/EVO/status/1688369539229327360 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225015606/https://twitter.com/EVO/status/1688369539229327360 |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |access-date=2025-07-01 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2024, it was announced that the third event, Evo France, would take place in Nice on October 10-12 2025, with the lineup consisting of ''Street Fighter 6'', ''Guilty Gear Strive'', ''Tekken 8'', ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'', ''Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves'' and ''Dragon Ball FighterZ''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-27 |title=Evo France (@Evo_France) on X ("No more announcements today... 6 games have been revealed for @Evo France, we look forward to seeing you in 2025!") |url=https://x.com/Evo_France/status/1850499354714316988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322015524/https://x.com/Evo_France/status/1850499354714316988 |archive-date=March 22, 2025 |access-date=2025-07-01 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, it was also announced that a fourth event would debut in Singapore in 2026, and that a new awards show called the Evo Awards would take place February 2025 in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=BONUS STAGE We are pleased to reveal where Evo is headed next for a brand-new event, live at #Evo2024. Introducing: Evo France, taking place October 10-12 in Nice, France. |url=https://x.com/Evo/status/1815202458844778766 |via=X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=As we continue to bring the Evo experience to new audiences and new locations, we are excited to give a sneak peak[sic] of where we're going in 2026. Stay tuned for more details on what Evo has in store in Singapore. |url=https://x.com/Evo/status/1815204514154373470 |via=X}}</ref> In December, it was announced that Evo Japan would take place on May 9-11 2025 in Tokyo, with a lineup consisting of ''Street Fighter 6'', ''Tekken 8'', ''Guilty Gear Strive'', ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'' and ''The King of Fighters XV'', with ''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'' and ''Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.'' being featured in special 5-on-5 team tournaments.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.evojapan.gg/en/news/10010 | title=EVO Japan 2025 registration is now open. Main tournament lineup and prize revealed }}</ref>

In December 2025, the lineup for Evo Japan 2026, which is to take place from May 1-3 2026, was unveiled alongside the lineup for Evo 2026. The lineup, which was revealed to feature twelve games alongside its western counterpart, consists of ''Street Fighter 6'', ''Tekken 8'', ''Guilty Gear Strive'', ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'', ''The King of Fighters XV'', ''Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage'', ''Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves'', ''Fist of the North Star'', ''Vampire Savior'', ''Melty Blood: Type Lumina'', ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]'', and ''2XKO''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/evo-2026-and-evo-japan-2026-title-lineups-announced|title=EVO 2026 and EVO Japan 2026 title lineups announced|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=December 10, 2025|access-date=December 10, 2025}}</ref>

** denotes an Extended Lineup title.

===Evo Japan=== {{Row hover highlight}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Event ! Dates ! Venue ! Location ! Games |- |Evo sài |May 20-21, 2017 |Akiba Square |rowspan=2|Tokyo, Japan | *''Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2'' *''Super Smash Bros for Wii U'' *''Tekken 7: Fated Retribution'' |- |Evo Japan 2018 |January 26–28, 2018 |Akiba Square Sunshine City | *''ARMS'' *''BlazBlue: Central Fiction'' *''Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2'' *''The King of Fighters XIV'' *''Street Fighter V'' *''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' *''Tekken 7'' |- |Evo Japan 2019 |February 15-17, 2019 |Fukuoka Kokusai Center Fukuoka International Congress Center |Fukuoka, Japan | *''BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle'' *''Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2'' *''The King of Fighters XIV'' *''Soulcalibur VI'' *''Street Fighter V'' *''Tekken 7'' |- |- |- |Evo Japan 2020 |February 24-26, 2020 |Makuhari Messe |Chiba, Japan | *''BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle'' *''Samurai Shodown'' *''Soulcalibur VI'' *''Street Fighter V'' *''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' *''Tekken 7'' |- |- |Evo Japan 2023 |March 31-April 2, 2023 |Tokyo Big Sight |rowspan=4|Tokyo, Japan | *''Granblue Fantasy: Versus'' *''Guilty Gear Strive'' *''The King of Fighters XV'' *''Melty Blood: Type Lumina'' *''Street Fighter V: Champion Edition'' *''Tekken 7'' *''Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown'' |- |Evo Japan 2024 |April 27-29, 2024 |Ariake GYM-EX | *''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'' *''Guilty Gear Strive'' *''The King of Fighters XV'' *''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'' *''Street Fighter 6'' *''Tekken 8'' *''UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes'' |- |Evo Japan 2025 |May 9-11, 2025 |rowspan=2|Tokyo Big Sight | *''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'' *''Guilty Gear Strive'' *''The King of Fighters XV'' *''Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike'' (Cooperation Cup Vol.19) *''Street Fighter 6'' *''Tekken 8'' *''Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.'' (19th Beat-Tribe Cup) |- |Evo Japan 2026 |May 1-3, 2026 | *''Street Fighter 6'' *''Tekken 8'' *''Guilty Gear Strive'' *''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'' *''The King of Fighters XV'' *''Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage'' *''Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves'' *''Fist of the North Star'' *''Vampire Savior'' *''Melty Blood: Type Lumina'' *''[[Under Night In-Birth|Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]]]'' *''2XKO'' |}

===Evo Awards=== {{Row hover highlight}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Event ! Dates ! Venue ! Location |- |Evo Awards 2025 |February 15, 2025 |[https://www.instagram.com/p/DGLovxLv64H/?hl=en Optimist Studios]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DGLovxLv64H/?hl=en |access-date=2025-07-23 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> |Los Angeles, California |- |} ===Evo France=== {{Row hover highlight}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Event ! Dates ! Venue ! Location ! Games |- |Evo France 2025 |October 10-12, 2025 |Palais des Expositions |Nice, France | *''Dragon Ball FighterZ'' *''Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves'' *''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'' *''Guilty Gear Strive'' *''Hunter × Hunter: Nen × Impact'' *''Street Fighter 6'' *''Tekken 8'' |- |Evo France 2026 |October 9-11, 2026 |Palais des Expositions |Nice, France | |- |}

===Evo Singapore=== {{Row hover highlight}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Event ! Dates ! Venue ! Location ! Games |- |Evo Singapore 2027 |Early 2027 |TBA |Singapore | |- |}

==Champions== {{Main|List of Evolution Championship Series champions}}

==References== {{reflist|30em|refs= <ref name=kotaku>Crecente, Brian. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20081004224059/http://kotaku.com/5054856/fighting-to-play-the-history-of-the-longest-lived-fighting-game-tournament-in-the-world Fighting to Play: The History of the Longest Lived Fighting Game Tournament in the World]''. Kotaku. October 6, 2008.</ref> <ref name=gamasutra>Walbridge, Michael. ''[https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/in-depth-inside-the-evo-2009-fighting-game-championships In-Depth: Inside The EVO 2009 Fighting Game Championships]''. Gamasutra. July 22, 2009.</ref> <ref name=gamespot>Kleckner, Stephen. ''[http://www.gamespot.com/features/6103845/index.html Spotlight on the Evolution 2K4 Fighting Game Tournament].'' GameSpot. 2004.</ref> }}

==External links== * {{official website|http://evo.shoryuken.com/}}

{{Evo}} {{Esports}} {{Competitive Super Smash Bros.|autohide}} {{Sony Interactive Entertainment}} {{Fighting game community}}

Category:Evolution Championship Series Category:1996 establishments in California Category:Annual events in Nevada Category:Nintendo events Category:Recurring events established in 1996 Category:Super Smash Bros. tournaments Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment Category:Joint ventures Category:Organized events in Las Vegas Category:Organized events in Nevada Category:Organized events in Paradise, Nevada Category:Organized events in Tokyo Category:Organized events in Chiba Category:Organized events in Fukuoka Category:Organized events in Los Angeles Category:Organized events in California Category:Organised events in Nice Category:Video game events