EVO is Now Fully Owned by Saudi Arabia-Owned Gaming Talent Company RTS

EVO, the biggest combating sport event of the yr, is now wholly owned by RTS, a expertise administration and model consulting agency for sport creators owned by Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Funding Firm (QIC). Previous to this full possession, the event was collectively owned by RTS and Indian gaming and occasions firm Nodwin Gaming. In keeping with Shacknews, even when RTS is given full management, Nodwin Gaming will proceed to be concerned to assist with EVO’s advertising and management.

“We’re pleased with the Evo custom that began 5 years in the past,” RTS CEO Stuart Noticed stated in a press release. “We’ll proceed to put money into what issues to our group, elevate and empower FGC members, and work diligently with our sport growth companions to make sure Evo advantages all stakeholders.”

Regardless of QIC (Qiddiya Metropolis Funding Fund) funding, there seems to be no change to EVO’s schedule for the rest of 2026. In keeping with a press launch, the occasion continues on monitor for main tournaments in Tokyo, Japan, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Good, France. Along with this, RTS states that the event’s traditions, values ​​and id “stay unchanged, with a continued give attention to serving gamers, followers and publishers in any respect ranges of the business.”

“Evo is a worldwide gaming establishment constructed on group, competitors and creativity,” stated Muhannad AlDawood, Chief Technique Officer at QIC. “By RTS and Qiddiya Metropolis, we’re dedicated to supporting Evo’s long-term progress in a means that honors its heritage and strengthens its function throughout the world combating sport group. That is about investing in the way forward for play and defending what makes Evo particular.”

RTS grew to become an stakeholder in EVO for the primary time as a part of a cope with PlayStation to buy the occasion in 2021. In August 2025, the latter will promote its stake to Nodwin Gaming. QIC joined the deal across the similar time, initially investing solely in RTS and ultimately buying the corporate outright.

The combating sport group has been fairly outspoken in its criticism of the deal, with many posts on Reddit criticizing Saudi Arabia’s makes an attempt at sportswashing (a technique of washing a rustic’s status by internet hosting main vacationer points of interest and occasions). One poster even went as far as to say, “Evo is lifeless. Go native,” referring to native tournaments which can be typically the idea on which whole combating sport communities are fashioned.

Others have steered different main tournaments that ought to obtain extra consideration from members of the combating sport group, each by way of participation and viewing. These embody CEO Gaming (previously Group Effort Orlando) and Combo Breaker.

“Everybody please help your locals in any means you possibly can,” one other Reddit consumer wrote. “I used to be already making an attempt to get out of Evo as a result of I do not like how company the scene has develop into. I do not even need combating video games to be a scene anymore. Simply play and watch the video games you want, give suggestions that you simply care about, and progress will come naturally.”

One other main latest funding by Saudi Arabia within the gaming business is its ongoing acquisition of EA.