EVO Fighting Games Enters a New Era: Full Saudi Ownership and Global Ambitions

EVO Fighting Games Enters a New Era: Full Saudi Ownership and Global Ambitions
After years of strategic partnerships and complex ownership developments, the EVO global fighting games championship has announced its entry into a completely new phase with RTS taking full control of the event, making Saudi Arabia through the Qiddiya project the complete owner of the largest annual tournament in this field.
A History of Strategic Partnerships Leading to Full Control
The story of EVO’s new ownership dates back to 2021, when RTS first became a shareholder in the championship through a deal in partnership with PlayStation to acquire the event. In August 2025, PlayStation sold its stake to Indian gaming and events company Nodwin Gaming. Today, following a series of developments, RTS has gained complete control of the tournament, although Nodwin Gaming will continue its participation in supporting EVO in marketing and leadership.
Saudi Ambitions to Enhance EVO’s Global Standing
Stuart Saw, CEO of RTS, said in an official statement: “We are proud of our legacy with EVO that began five years ago. We will continue investing in what matters to our community, supporting and empowering members of the Fighting Game Community (FGC), and working hard with our game developer partners to ensure all stakeholders benefit from EVO.”
Muhannad Al-Dawood, Head of Strategy at Qiddiya Investment Company, said: “EVO is a global institution in gaming, built on foundations of community, competition, and creativity. Through RTS and the City of Qiddiya, we are committed to supporting EVO’s long-term growth in a way that respects its legacy and enhances its role within the global fighting game community. This is about investing in the future of play and preserving what makes EVO special.”
The Tournament Continues with Its Traditions and Values
RTS confirmed that the tournament’s traditions, values, and identity “will remain unchanged, with continued focus on serving players, fans, and publishers at all industry levels.” According to the press release, the main tournaments will be held as planned in Tokyo, Japan; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; and Nice, France.
Saudi Arabia Continues Strengthening Its Presence in the Gaming Industry
This acquisition comes within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious strategy to strengthen its presence in the gaming and esports industry. This move reflects the Kingdom’s vision led by the Qiddiya project, which aims to transform the country into a global center for entertainment, culture, and sports.
The Future of EVO: Preserving Legacy and Enhancing Global Reach
With EVO entering its new era under full Saudi ownership, attention turns to how the tournament will evolve and enhance its global standing. The new strategy appears to focus on preserving what made EVO special over decades while investing in expanding its reach and strengthening its role as a leading global platform for electronic fighting games.
The most important question remains: How will these changes affect the global fighting game community, and will the Kingdom succeed in achieving its ambitions to make esports an essential part of its comprehensive development vision? The coming days will reveal answers to these questions as upcoming tournaments begin under the new Saudi management.

مكة بوست ، موقع إخباري شامل يهتم بتقديم خدمة صحفية متميزة للقارئ، وهدفنا أن نصل لقرائنا الأعزاء بالخبر الأدق والأسرع والحصري بما يليق بقواعد وقيم الأسرة السعودية، لذلك نقدم لكم مجموعة كبيرة من الأخبار المتنوعة داخل الأقسام التالية، الأخبار العالمية و المحلية، الاقتصاد، تكنولوجيا ، فن، أخبار الرياضة، منوعات و سياحة.