TOKYO, JAPAN (April 28, 2026) – The Evolution Championship Series (known as Evo) returns with Evo Japan 2026 presented by Levtech on May 1-3 at Tokyo Big Sight. The action-packed weekend will showcase the largest Street Fighter tournament bracket in history, with all 12 titles offering a combined ¥30,000,000 prize pool, and an expanded Show Floor experience celebrating the fighting game culture and community. Spectators can purchase tickets HERE, or they can watch on Evo’s Twitch Channel and Evo’s YouTube Channel.
The tournament brackets feature competitors from XX countries, including fan favorites Arslan Ash, Sonicfox, Punk, MenaRD, GO1, and Tokido, competing in the following titles highlighted with the largest Street Fighter 6 bracket in Japan’s history:
- Riot Games’ 2XKO
- SNK’s FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves
- Cygames’ Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
- Arc System Works’ GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-
- SEGA’s Hokuto no Ken
- Lasengle’s Melty Blood: Type Lumina
- Capcom’s Street Fighter 6
- Bandai Namco Entertainment’s TEKKEN 8
- SNK’s THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV
- Arc System Works’ Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes
- Capcom’s Vampire Savior
- SEGA’s VIRTUA FIGHTER 5 REVO WORLD STAGE
“The fervor for fighting games in Japan is reaching new heights, and Evo is celebrating that enthusiasm with our biggest Evo Japan yet, “said Rick Thiher, General Manager of Evo. “Filling even more of Tokyo Big Sight with the competition, culture, and community that inspires competitive fighting games is the best kick off for Evo’s global tournament calendar I can imagine for 2026.”
Evo Japan will offer an expanded area of more than 8,600 square meters for an updated Show Floor experience with more than 30 exhibitors and 70+ side events, including the Evo Fighting Game Museum, curated Artist Alley, Hands-On Playables, Bring Your Own Community (BYOC) Tournaments area, and Cosplay Contest.
Qiddiya and PlayStation will return, supporting the fighting game community. Qiddiya will provide fans with exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with top players and talent and bring the iconic Moment 37 experience to Evo Japan as part of the Evo Museum. PlayStation will provide consoles for the record-breaking tournament and return to the Evo Museum with a dedicated exhibit showcasing the brand-new FlexStrike™ Wireless Fight Stick.
Before Evo Japan’s kicks on May 1st, Evo Legends Live will premiere on April 29th at CLUB CITTA’ in Japan with an epic The Beast vs. The Bull showdown between Evo Moment 37 legend Daigo Umehara and three-time Evo champion Saul “MenaRD” Leonardo. Fans can watch on Evo’s Twitch Channel and Evo’s YouTube Channel at 5pm UTC+9.
Evo welcomes its partners with activations, including PlayStation, Qiddiya, and Suzuki.
The complete Evo Japan schedule is as follows (subject to change):
Friday, May 1 (all times in UTC+9):
- 8:00 am: Doors open
- 9:30 am Preshow with Tasty Steve, Tyrant, Rynge, Justin Wong, IFCYipeS
- Noon: Ryan Hart vs. Betty Exhibition
- 4:30 pm: Top 8 Hokuto no Ken Grand Finals
- 5:30 pm: Top 8 2XKO Grand Finals
- 7:00 pm: Top 8 Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes Grand Finals
- 10:00 pm: Venue closes or when competitive play finishes
Saturday, May 2 (all times in UTC+9):
- 8:00 am: Doors open
- 9:30 am Preshow with Hollywood RobTV and IFCYipeS
- 10:00 am: Top 8 for FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves and Melty Blood: Type Lumina
- 1:30 pm: Top 8 for Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising and VIRTUA FIGHTER 5 REVO WORLD STAGE
- 4:30 pm: Top 8 for THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV
- 5:30 pm: Top 8 for GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-
- 8:00 pm: Top 8 for Vampire Savior
- 10:00 am: Venue closes for when competitive play finishes
Sunday, May 3 (all times in UTC+9):
- 9:00 am: Doors open
- 10:00 am: Preshow with Justin Wong and Hollywood RobTV
- 10:30 am: Top 8 for TEKKEN 8
- 2:00 pm: Top 8 for Street Fighter 6
Evo Las Vegas, the flagship event, returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 26-28 with Chipotle® as presenting partner. Player registrations, now open at evo.gg until May 5, will determine which game titles will be played in the Arena Finals in Japan and Las Vegas. Evo France returns to Europe at the Palais des Expos in Nice, France, on October 9-11.
