The Evolution Championship Series ownership has officially changed again, with Saudi-owned RTS now taking full control of EVO. The update confirms that former co-owner NODWIN Gaming has exited, leaving RTS as the sole owner of the world’s largest fighting game tournament brand.
For the fighting game community, this is not just a business reshuffle. EVO’s ownership has been a sensitive topic for several years, especially as Saudi investment in global esports continues to grow.
How RTS Became The Sole Owner Of EVO
RTS, a talent management and brand consulting company originally co-founded by streamer Pokimane, has been involved with EVO since 2021. That year, Sony Interactive Entertainment partnered with RTS to acquire the tournament series, sparking early concerns about how first-party platform ownership might affect game line-ups.
In August 2025, NODWIN Gaming acquired Sony’s stake, becoming a majority shareholder alongside RTS. At the time, NODWIN publicly stated it would honour EVO’s legacy while expanding opportunities for a new generation of players.
Shortly after, Saudi-backed Qiddiya Investment Company entered the picture. Qiddiya had already invested in RTS and announced plans to remain an EVO partner through 2027. Within a month, however, Qiddiya fully acquired RTS. That move effectively placed EVO under Saudi ownership.
Now, with NODWIN fully exiting its ownership position, RTS holds complete control of EVO. NODWIN will reportedly continue assisting with marketing support, and some leadership figures are expected to remain involved operationally, but decision-making authority sits with RTS.
Official Statements From RTS Leadership
RTS CEO Stuart Saw addressed the change in a public statement, saying the company is proud of its five-year legacy with EVO and intends to continue investing in the fighting game community. He emphasised working closely with developers and empowering community members, signalling that the brand’s direction will remain focused on competitive integrity and global partnerships.
Earlier, Qiddiya’s Chief Strategy Officer Muhannad Aldawood described the acquisition as a milestone that would set new heights for EVO and align with the aspirations of the FGC.
From a structural standpoint, this means RTS now oversees the Evolution Championship Series brand, event production, partnerships, and long-term expansion plans without external ownership constraints.
Community Reaction And Ongoing Controversy
The reaction from parts of the fighting game community has been openly critical. Discussions across forums like r/Fighters have seen some fans calling for renewed focus on grassroots local tournaments instead of major tentpole events.
Criticism largely centres on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the involvement of the Public Investment Fund, which backs Qiddiya’s broader entertainment and gaming initiatives. Some prominent community figures, including content creators and commentators, have previously stated they would not attend EVO once Saudi involvement became clear.
Concerns have also been raised about LGBTQ+ player safety and inclusivity, given the country’s legal and social climate. These discussions have been ongoing since Qiddiya’s initial investment in RTS became public knowledge.
What This Could Mean For EVO’s Future
With RTS now fully in control, speculation has naturally turned to how EVO might evolve. One question resurfacing is whether Super Smash Bros. could return to the main stage.
Back in 2021, Sony’s involvement raised concerns about cross-platform representation, and Nintendo later pulled Smash from EVO 2022. While no official statement links that decision solely to Sony’s ownership, many in the community have long speculated that platform politics played a role.
Now that Sony is completely out of the picture, some fans believe the door could reopen for Super Smash Bros. Melee and Ultimate to return. At this stage, there is no confirmation either way.
Beyond Smash, full Saudi-backed ownership could mean greater international expansion. Saudi Arabia has already increased its footprint in esports through acquisitions and partnerships, including ESL and large-scale events such as the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. EVO could potentially become part of a broader, interconnected global circuit.
EVO’s Identity Under New Ownership
RTS has publicly promised to preserve EVO’s values and identity. Whether that reassurance satisfies the wider community remains to be seen.
EVO Japan and EVO Las Vegas are both approaching in the coming months, which will likely serve as the first real test of how this new ownership structure plays out in practice. For now, the Evolution Championship Series continues under RTS leadership, but the conversation around its future is far from settled.