Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Takes Full Control of Iconic Fighting Game Tournament Evo

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As many expected, Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Investment Company has officially purchased Evo, the popular and long-running fighting game tournament.

You might remember when Sony and RTS stepped in to save the esports event a few years back. More recently, Sony sold its ownership share to NODWIN Gaming, an Indian company, late last year.

RTS was acquired by Qiddiya, which is the digital entertainment division of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

RTS has bought out NODWIN Gaming’s share of the event, meaning Qiddiya – and Saudi Arabia – now have complete ownership.

In a statement, it said:

Even with new ownership by RTS, Evo will stay true to its roots, maintaining its core values and unique spirit. The team will continue to prioritize supporting players, fans, and game publishers throughout the fighting game community.

However, many fans had already expressed their disapproval of Saudi Arabia’s involvement, primarily due to concerns about the country’s human rights record.

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in global entertainment for years, trying to improve its public image. This is particularly noticeable in football, a practice some call “sportswashing.”

Saudi Arabia is already a significant presence in the fighting game community, largely because it owns SNK, the company behind the popular game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.

Although it’s a solid game, some players believe the influence of the PIF led to the addition of characters like Cristiano Ronaldo and Salvatore, who don’t quite fit the game’s overall style.

It will be fascinating to observe the future of Evo, especially if it ends up moving to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, similar to what happened with the recent Esports World Cup.

If you’re a skilled fighting game player who isn’t afraid to play aggressively, now’s the time to get even better – prize money is about to increase dramatically.

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2026-02-20 14:06