E-sports

Get Ready Fighting Game Fans – Here’s What’s in Store for Evo 2025

By Ramon Domingo - January 16, 2025

We’ve got so much to look forward to for this year’s Evo.

It looks like it’s going to be a busy year for the largest fighting game tournament in the world as some big announcements were just made for Evo 2025. 

The first and most important of the announcements was the reveal of Evo Las Vegas’ featured games lineup. King of Fighters XV is making way for 2025’s most anticipated fighting game, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Marvel vs Capcom 2 is also finally returning to the Evo mainstage as this year’s throwback tournament. It’s been a long 15 years since MvC2 appeared in Evo and with the recent resurgence of the series, it’s going to be a wild ride to see old and new faces clashing in Vegas.

Get Ready Fighting Game Fans - Here’s What’s in Store for Evo 2025
(Image from Evo Events)

What’s more is that Evo is promising to put a bigger spotlight on their side tournaments. These smaller tournaments for more niche fighting games have always run in parallel with Evo’s mainstage games. Now, Evo 2025 is giving these games the equipment and visibility they need, making it easier than ever for people to find, watch, and play in these tournaments. 

Their highlight announcement however was the return of the top eight format for all of their featured games. Last year’s top six format, while controversial at the time, did deliver exciting moments but it just wasn’t the same. There’s just something right about seeing the eight best players in the tournament battle it out in Sunday finals to conclude Evo. It’s an Evo tradition and we’re happy that it’s back. 

A Celebration of Fighting Game Moments and Legends

Together with the reveal of the featured games of Evo 2025, they also announced details about the inaugural Evo Awards. Taking place in Los Angeles on February 15, this historic event will celebrate all achievements, hard work, and passion found within the fighting game community. There’s 20 different categories to award and each winner will be chosen via fan vote. 

Then there’s the Evo Hall of Fame, where iconic individuals who had a massive impact on the fighting game community are recognized. Last year we had Daigo Umehara and Justin Wong getting inducted and in 2025 we’ll have three. The first has already been revealed to be Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi, one of Street Fighter’s many living legends. 

Get Ready Fighting Game Fans - Here’s What’s in Store for Evo 2025
Michael “Yipes” Mendoza (left) and Justin Wong (right) play MvC2 the old school way during Evo 2024. (Photo from Evo)

Finally, in line with the MvC2 fever that’s been spreading, the Evo Awards is hosting a special event. They’ll be hosting a Tournament of Champions featuring four of Evo’s most memorable MvC2 champions. It’ll truly be a night to remember as Justin Wong, Michael “Yipes” Mendoza, Ducvader, and Sanford “Santhrax” Kelly have a showdown that pays tribute to the energy and hype that the MvC series is known for.

Banner photo by Carlton Beener / Evo.

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