The Evolution Championship Series (Evo) is coming back to Nice, France, in 2026 following the massive success of its debut European event earlier this year.

Evo France 2025 marked a major milestone for the fighting game community (FGC) as the first-ever Evo tournament to be held in Europe. After an electrifying three-day spectacle in Nice, the organisers have now confirmed that the event will return next year, running from October 9th to 11th, 2026.

𝗔 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

See you in 2026. pic.twitter.com/nZd7ILOCCl

— Evo France (@Evo_France) October 12, 2025

Evo France’s official X account shared the news with a simple but powerful message: “A legendary first edition. See you in 2026.” Fans quickly filled the replies with excitement and promises to attend, calling the event one of the best in Evo history.

The 2025 edition wasn’t just historic, it was packed with big moments. It hosted the official tournament debut of Riot Games’ new 2v2 fighter, 2XKO, where French prodigy Marwan “Wawa” Berthe claimed the title in front of a home crowd. The event also featured iconic staples of the FGC like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.

Beyond the games, Evo’s 2025 calendar has been transformative. The organisation has seen major ownership changes, with NODWIN Gaming acquiring the majority stake from Sony Interactive Entertainment in August, and Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya fully acquiring Evo’s tournament operator RTS the following month. These moves signal Evo’s ambitions to expand its global footprint even further.

Evo France 2026 won’t just be a return, it’s a statement that the FGC in Europe is thriving. With growing hype around titles like 2XKO, Tekken 8, and Street Fighter 6, next year’s edition in Nice could be even bigger.

Before that, fans can look forward to Evo Japan 2026, set to take place from May 1st to 3rd in Tokyo.

Whether you’re a die-hard fighting game fan or just discovering the FGC, one thing’s clear: Evo France has made its mark, and the community can’t wait for round two.

The post Evo France Confirms 2026 Return After a Historic Debut appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Riot Games has confirmed that its upcoming 2v2 fighting game 2XKO is heading into Early Access on 7 October, following the end of the current Closed Beta. The launch marks the start of Season 0 and introduces a wave of new content, including the game’s tenth playable champion.

early access starts october 7. here’s what you need to know:

– early access is open to everyone, no invite needed
– seasons are a thing + they come with a new champ. early access kicks off season 0
– combo trials are coming
– we’re sponsoring 22 community tournaments through the… pic.twitter.com/hELqNh7fSv

— 2XKO (@Play2XKO) September 23, 2025

From Beta to Early Access

The Closed Beta for 2XKO has been running for the past couple of weeks, giving players around the world their first proper look at Riot’s entry into the fighting game community. Fans have already embraced champions like Vi and Blitzcrank, while community-run tournaments have sprung up globally.

Riot says the Beta has helped stress-test online systems, matchmaking, and bug fixes. With things looking stable, the studio is ready to move ahead with Early Access.

Unlike the Beta, all content unlocked from 7 October onwards will be permanent, with no further resets. Players will also get to try out Combo Trials, a new feature designed to teach mechanics and champion combos across multiple difficulty levels.

What’s Coming in Season 0

Season 0 is kicking off alongside Early Access and will set the stage for the game’s future. Riot has confirmed that 2026 will feature five full seasons, each bringing a new champion, a Ranked reset, and a fresh Battle Pass.

The tenth champion joins the roster at the start of Season 0, with a gameplay reveal trailer and developer update set to arrive closer to launch.

First Impact: Riot’s Competitive Push

Riot is also turning its attention to grassroots esports with the introduction of First Impact, a programme aimed at supporting local tournament organisers. A total of 22 community-run events will receive Riot backing before the end of 2025, with prize pool bonuses and an additional reward for duos. Winning pairs will not only earn cash but also claim the exclusive in-game title of Local Legend.

The First Impact series kicks off at Evo France: 2 NICE KO by The MixUp from 10–12 October and wraps up with FlyQuest’s 2XKO Christmas Clash on 13 December.

Looking Ahead

2XKO Early Access launches for free on PC on 7 October. With new champions, permanent progression, and a dedicated push into community esports, Riot looks set to make a big impact on the fighting game scene.

The post 2XKO Early Access Drops on October With New Champion and Riot’s Esports Support appeared first on Shane the Gamer.