The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) is an annual fighting-game competition event. EVO 2024 has wrapped up registration for 2024 a few days ago and it has been announced that the event that will be held in Las Vegas is the largest in the history of the tournament.
The event will feature more than 10,000 participants from 63 countries around the globe, who come together to compete in such popular titles as Tekken 8, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, and more. Evo 2024 takes place July 19-21 and the explosion of interest is a sign of a growing community interested in competitive gaming.
EVO is a Global Phenomenon
EVO’s story began in mid- ‘90s under the title Battle by the Bay and had players battle in Super Street Figher II Turbo and Street Fighter Alpha 2.
Fast forward to 2002, the event adopted the name EVO and from Sunnyville, California moved to Los Angeles. This was a turning point for the event. The bigger stage was a mark for a growing community and EVO established itself as the premier fighting game tournament in the world.
Over the years, EVO shaped the evolution of fighting game tournaments. Every year it mixed new titles with established ones, giving players a chance to prove themselves in their favorite titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee and iconic franchises like Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Marvel vs. Capcom, Guilty Gear, Soulcalibur, and King of Fighters.
In the modern era, eSports tournaments are on the brink of becoming Olympic sports. While the legitimacy of eSports as a true sporting competition is still in question, that isn’t stopping sponsors and others from investing big money as the number of players increases every year.
EVO 2024 is the largest eSports event ever
EVO 2024 has more than 10,000 registered participants, which has officially smashed the record for the largest tournament ever held. The increase builds upon the momentum of EVO 2023 which had 9,182 participants, another EVO record.
Last year’s EVO lineup included such titles as Street Fighter 6, Tekken 7, The King of Fighters XV, and Guilty Gear Strive among other titles. What was notable was the launch of a new category, the ‘Throwback Tournament’ featuring the iconic Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3.
EVO 2024 takes this evolution a step further. While the main lineup includes Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, and several other titles, the Throwback Tournament is an homage to Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike.
EVO 2024 is a spectacle on its own and it can serve as a turning point for amateur eSports. The number of participants is proof of global interest when it comes to competitive gaming as new sponsors and teams are formed. This can only pave the way for a future that is full of opportunities for amateur players.
What are your thoughts on EVO 2024? Can it change the eSports scene? Let us know in the comments.
