EVO 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most refined and community-focused years the fighting game world has seen. With two major events, EVO Japan and EVO Las Vegas, each featuring 12 official main titles, the focus this year is clarity, structure, and putting power back into the hands of the players. EVO has always tried to evolve each year, listening closely to the FGC, and the 2026 season proves they’re taking that commitment seriously.
EVO JAPAN 2026
Tokyo Big Sight — May 1–3, 2026
EVO Japan returns with a lineup that reflects the deep roots of Japan’s tournament culture, technical fighters, legacy anime titles, and competitive franchises that have defined arcades and offline play for decades.
Official EVO Japan 2026 Lineup:
1) 2XKO
2) Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
3) Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
4) Guilty Gear: Strive
5) Hokuto no Ken
6) The King of Fighters XV
7) Melty Blood: Type Lumina
8) Street Fighter 6
9) Tekken 8
10) Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes
11) Vampire Savior: The Legend of Vampire
12) Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
One of the biggest complaints at EVO Japan 2025 was the poor ventilation and high temperatures inside the venue. Crowds were dense, airflow was limited, and many players and attendees struggled with the heat, and EVO listened.
For 2026, organizers have already confirmed improved environmental controls to ensure cooler airflow, better circulation, and a far more comfortable venue for both competitors and spectators.
EVO Japan 2026 will feature a massive 30 million yen prize pool, bringing serious competitive energy to every bracket and giving Japanese players one of the largest payouts in EVO Japan history.
EVO LAS VEGAS 2026
Las Vegas Convention Center (West Hall) — June 26–28, 2026
EVO Vegas is the centerpiece of the season, the global stage, the biggest crowds, the loudest moments, and the legendary Championship Sunday. But this year, EVO looks, and feels, different in the U.S. for several reasons.
Official EVO 2026 Las Vegas Lineup:
1) 2XKO
2) BlazBlue: Central Fiction
3) Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
4) Guilty Gear: Strive
5) Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
6) Invincible VS
7) Rivals of Aether II
8) Street Fighter 6
9) Tekken 8
10) Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes
11) Vampire Savior: The Legend of Vampire
12) Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
For the first time in years, EVO U.S. is offering early bird spectator pricing at an aggressive rate:
$200 for a 3-Day Spectator Pass (Early Bird)
This covers the expo floor, casuals, vendor hall, artist alley, and all tournament viewing except the main arena finals.
Main Stage Finals Ticket Sold Separately
If you want to attend Championship Sunday in the arena, you’ll need to purchase an additional ticket, a model EVO is using to keep standard weekend passes affordable.
EVO 2026 is moving entirely to BEST OF 5 for all Top 8 brackets (First to 3 wins). This standardizes competitive expectations across all games and ensures deeper sets, better adaptations, and more satisfying finals.
Both events reflect EVO’s commitment to improving year after year, listening to the fans, and keeping the competitive spirit at the center of everything. To get a year start on this amazing event, check out EVO.gg
