The world’s most prestigious fighting game tournament series makes its European debut in Nice, as EVO France 2025 brings three days of high-stakes competition starting October 10
What is EVO?
The Evolution Championship Series, better known as EVO, stands as the largest and longest-running fighting game tournament in the world. Founded in 2002 (though its origins trace back to 1996 as “Battle by the Bay”), EVO has become the Super Bowl of competitive fighting games, where the best players from across the globe converge to prove their dominance.
For over two decades, the flagship event has taken place in Las Vegas, drawing tens of thousands of competitors and spectators. The 2024 edition alone attracted more than 10,000 competitors, cementing EVO’s status as the premier showcase for the fighting game community.
What makes EVO special is its open tournament format—anyone can register and compete. Using double-elimination brackets, players battle their way from pools to the legendary Top 8 finals, where champions are crowned on the main stage before thousands of roaring fans.
EVO’s Global Expansion: From Las Vegas to the World
The Japan Connection
In 2018, EVO made its first major international expansion with EVO Japan, acknowledging the birthplace of fighting games. After a brief hiatus, EVO Japan returned in 2023 and has become an annual celebration that emphasizes titles popular in the Japanese market, such as Guilty Gear, The King of Fighters, and various anime fighters.
EVO Japan 2025 is scheduled for May 9-11, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight, continuing this tradition with seven main tournament titles including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Guilty Gear Strive.
Europe Gets Its Turn
Now, in 2025, EVO is making its most ambitious expansion yet. EVO France 2025 marks the series’ debut in Europe, bringing the tournament to Nice’s Palais des Expositions. This is a full-scale EVO event with Premier qualifiers for multiple World Tours and Championships.
The choice of Nice is strategic. France boasts one of Europe’s most passionate fighting game communities, with a particularly strong tradition in team-based fighters. The city recently became the first major French city to create an official esports delegation, signaling serious institutional support for competitive gaming.
With over 4,500 participants from 93 countries registered for EVO France 2025, the European debut is already making history.
What This Means for Fighting Games
The expansion to both Japan and France represents a fundamental shift in EVO’s vision. The single annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas has evolved into a year-round global circuit. This has massive implications:
Accessibility: Players no longer need expensive trans-Pacific flights to compete at the highest level. Regional events reduce travel barriers while maintaining EVO’s prestige.
Cultural Representation: Different regions have different fighting game scenes. Japan’s love for anime fighters, Europe’s team battle traditions, and America’s platform fighter community can all shine on their home stages.
Industry Growth: More EVO events mean more opportunities for game publishers to showcase titles, announce DLC characters, and build hype. EVO France 2025 is already set to feature announcements for games like Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
Sustainable Competition: With events spread across the year and globe, the fighting game calendar becomes more sustainable. Players can compete locally without burning out on constant international travel.
Looking ahead, EVO has announced plans for even more expansion, with EVO Singapore slated for early 2027. The series is transforming from a single tournament into a true global championship circuit.
EVO France 2025: The Complete Schedule
Event Dates: October 10-12, 2025
Location: Palais des Expositions – Nice Acropolis, Nice, France
Participants: 4,500+ competitors from 93 countries
Featured Games & Schedule (Philippine Time – PHT)
Street Fighter 6 (Capcom Pro Tour Premier)
- Pools: October 10, 8:00 PM PHT
- Top 8 Finals: October 13, 12:00 AM PHT (midnight)
- The winner earns direct qualification to Capcom Cup 12
Tekken 8
- Top 8 Finals: October 12, 7:45 PM PHT
Guilty Gear -Strive- (Arc World Tour Platinum+)
- Top 8 Finals: October 12, 4:00 PM PHT
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (SNK World Championship Qualifier)
- Top 8 Finals: October 12, 12:45 AM PHT (October 12, midnight)
- Three remaining qualification spots for SNK World Championship available
- Joe Higashi character reveal expected during event
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
- Top 8 Finals: October 11, 9:15 PM PHT
Dragon Ball FighterZ
- Finals: TBA
Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact
- Finals: TBA
Where to Watch
EVO France 2025 English Broadcasts:
- Twitch: twitch.tv/EVO_France
- YouTube: youtube.com/@EVOFRANCE
- Additional channels: EVO operates six official Twitch channels and one YouTube channel for comprehensive coverage
French Broadcasts: Available on all tournament streams
Beyond the Main Stage
BYOC (Bring Your Own Community) Tournament Area
EVO France features an extensive community tournament section on the first floor, including:
- Rivals of Aether II
- Super Street Fighter 2X
- Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
- Megaman Battle Network 6
- Asuka 120% LimitOver
Side Tournaments
- 2XKO early access tournament (streamed on The MIXUP’s Twitch channel)
- Multiple classic and legacy titles
The Stakes Are Real
EVO France comes loaded with high-level qualifiers:
- Street Fighter 6: Premier event for Capcom Pro Tour 2025, with direct Capcom Cup 12 qualification on the line
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves: One of only three remaining spots for SNK World Championship 2025
- Guilty Gear Strive: Platinum+ qualifier for Arc World Tour 2025
- Multiple titles: Important ranking points for various official leagues and world tours
Top players from around the world have made the trip, including established champions and rising stars all vying for glory and crucial circuit points.
A New Era for Competitive Fighting Games
EVO France 2025 stands as a pivotal moment for competitive fighting games—a future that’s global, accessible, and more vibrant than ever.
As the fighting game community gathers in Nice this weekend, they’re not just competing for trophies. They’re building a new chapter in FGC history, proving that the passion for one-on-one competition transcends borders and unites players across continents.
The dream has always been to “get to EVO.” Now, for European players, that dream is closer than ever before.
Let the battles begin!
For more information, brackets, and updates, visit evo.gg/events/2025-france or start.gg/tournament/evo-france-2025
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