Skip to main content

First Japanese Evo tournament will take place early in 2018

japana evo championship 2018 evo2018
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The organizers of the Evolution Championship Series (Evo) esports competition have announced that the highly anticipated first event in Japan will now be held in January 2018. Although initially thought to be debuting in 2017, the organizers now want to provide enough distance between it and the main show, which typically takes place in July.

For fans of beat ’em up games — the main draw of the Evo events — it’s somewhat surprising that it has taken this long for the show to go to Japan, as that country typically where a lot of its major competitors come from. So when it was announced that there would be an Evo tournament taking place in the island nation, it was thought that it would come about quite quickly, but that turns out not to be the case.

When the announcement for the Japanese tournament was made at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, though (thanks Polygon), the organizers explained that along with giving some breathing room to the main championship, it also wanted to give international fans a chance to save up, as travel to Japan is not inexpensive.

In terms of the tournament itself, organizers have said they plan to work closely with the fighting game community in Japan, making sure they are happy with the choice of fighting games on offer, as well as hashing out what kind of tournament structure people want to see. Usually Evo events utilize the double elimination format.

Beyond the fans though, existing fighting game groups will also be brought on board to help organize the tournament. Big standouts like Topanga and Gosgarden have been named as partners for the event, but smaller communities like Tokyo Offline Party, Button Mashers and Virtua Fighter Relationship are also going to be quizzed on what they want to see at the event.

Would you travel to Japan to watch the first Evo tournament to ever be held there?

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
The Capcom Pro Tour tournament series returns in 2021 with $5,000 prizes
capcom pro tour tournament series returns 2021

Capcom officially revealed the return of its Street Fighter 5 Capcom Pro Tour tournament series for 2021 at the tail end of its E3 2021 announcement stream. This is the first time that Capcom has advertised the long-running tournament series to such a large audience beyond the hardcore fighting game community.

The Capcom Pro Tour is a tournament circuit that Capcom hosts every year for the newest entries in the Street Fighter series. The series takes place over several events that happen in various different states, regions, and countries, each for a $5,000 prize pool. During these events, players compete for points, and in the end, those with the most points go to the grand stage, Capcom Cup, where they play for the grand champion title.

Read more
Baltimore Ravens’ new esports initiative includes a Fortnite tournament
The logo for the Baltimore Ravens' Gaming League

NFL team the Baltimore Ravens have launched a new esports program. The Ravens Gaming League allows fans to compete in tournaments beginning in June.

The Ravens will become an official esports tournament provider thanks to a multiyear partnership with the Esports Entertainment Group. The EEG will operate the Ravens' upcoming esports tournaments via its Esports Gaming League platform, which is used to host several pro-level events.

Read more
PlayStation’s Evo line up and plans officially announced
EVO

PlayStation officially revealed its plans for the company's first Evo event since Sony acquired the fighting game tournament. Not only have mainstage tournament titles been confirmed, but a myriad of side tournaments in what is being called the "Evo Community Series" is coming as well.

Sony acquired Evo on March 18, 2021, and was responsible for the rebranding after the tournament's co-founder and organizer Joey "Mr.Wizard" Cuellar left the project due to accusations of sexual misconduct.

Read more