EVO 2026 Registration Drops 32% as Saudi Ownership Shakes Up the FGC

EVO 2026 kicks off June 26 in Las Vegas. But the numbers tell a troubling story.

Total registration dropped 32% compared to last year. Street Fighter 6 alone saw a 43% decline in competitors. The cause? Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya City now owns the event outright.

The Numbers

Despite the drop, 5,774 players signed up across 12 fighting game tournaments. Street Fighter 6 still leads the pack with a $100,000 prize pool. That's real money on the line.

But the FGC is clearly divided. Some players are sitting this one out. Others are showing up anyway. It's a split that won't heal anytime soon.

Why It Matters

EVO isn't just a tournament. It's the Super Bowl of fighting games. When a third of your competitors stay home, that's a statement.

Saudi investment in esports isn't new. But full ownership of EVO hits different. This is the heart of the FGC. Many in the community have concerns about human rights issues in Saudi Arabia.

What Happens Next

The tournament will go on. Top players will compete. Champions will be crowned. But the conversation around ownership isn't going away.

For now, EVO 2026 is smaller. Whether it stays that way depends on how the community responds after the dust settles.