The EVO Announcement Show dropped a bombshell: 12 main games for EVO 2026, scrapping the old extended and side tournament format for one unified powerhouse lineup. Street Fighter 6 leads entries for the fourth straight year, but fresh blood like Riot’s 2XKO and the Invincible animated series fighter shake things up. This expanded main stage means higher stakes across every bracket.
Complete EVO 2026 Main Lineup
Here’s every game competing for glory, with EVO appearance history and key notes:
| Game | EVO Appearances | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Street Fighter 6 | 4th | Reigning champ, massive entries expected |
| Tekken 8 | 3rd | Ironman grinder, consistent top performer |
| Guilty Gear Strive | 5th | Arc Sys veteran, anime fighter staple |
| Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes | 3rd | French Bread’s rising momentum |
| Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising | 3rd | Mid-tier mainstay holding strong |
| Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves | 2nd | Strong 2025 debut carries over |
| Rivals of Aether 2 | 2nd | Indie platform fighter breakout |
| 2XKO | 1st (Debut) | Riot’s League spin-off, huge hype |
| Invincible VS | 1st (Debut) | Animated series tag fighter |
| Vampire Savior | 1st (Main) | CAPCOM classic returns triumphant |
| BlazBlue: Central Fiction | 3rd | Arc legacy title endures |
| Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage | 1st | 3D pioneer goes global |
Six arena-stage games (top entries) get prime time, while all 12 run full brackets. This unified approach eliminates safety nets for fringe titles.
The Big Surprises
Mortal Kombat 1’s absence stunned everyone after three EVOs. Entry numbers tanked post-hype, clearing space for newcomers. 2XKO’s debut proves Riot takes FGC seriously – expect League crowds to invade. Invincible VS taps streaming popularity, while Vampire Savior’s main-stage return thrills 2D diehards.
Rivals of Aether 2 back-to-back shows indie legitimacy after La Reina’s reveal. Virtua Fighter 5’s REVO edition brings technical 3D mastery back to prominence. Guilty Gear Strive hitting five straight EVOs cements its elite status.
EVO Japan 2026 Differences
Japan’s event mirrors the US lineup but swaps in regional favorites:
- Shared: Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear Strive, Fatal Fury, Granblue, Under Night II, 2XKO, Vampire Savior, Virtua Fighter 5
- Japan Only: King of Fighters XV, Hokuto no Ken: Legends ReVIVE, Melty Blood Type Lumina
- Dropped: Rivals of Aether 2, Invincible VS, BlazBlue Central Fiction
Cross-event rivalries build between shared titles. Japan exclusives cater to local passion projects.
What Changed and Why
EVO ditched extended/throwback categories for unified main stage. Six top-entry games hit the arena; remaining six get venue brackets. This rewards popularity without killing underdogs. No more ‘side event’ stigma – every game fights equally.
Debut heavy lineup (6 first-timers) shows FGC health. Dropping MK1 makes room for innovation. Expect Street Fighter 6 vs Tekken 8 entry wars, with 2XKO potentially crashing the top three.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Mortal Kombat 1 cut?
Declining entries after initial hype. Newer titles like 2XKO and Invincible VS filled slots based on community demand.
Which games get arena stage?
Top six by entries – likely Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear Strive, Fatal Fury, Granblue, and a surprise (2XKO?).
Is 2XKO EVO-ready?
Perfect timing. Closed betas built player base; full release precedes tournament by months.
What happened to side tournaments?
Eliminated. All 12 games now main stage brackets – no extended/throwback categories.
Will EVO 2026 sell out fast?
Expect it. Expanded lineup + debuts = record attendance. Watch evo.gg for tickets.
Why so many debuts?
FGC innovation boom. Six first-timers show healthy ecosystem beyond Capcom/ArcSys giants.
Las Vegas dates announced?
Not yet. Tradition points to late July/early August. Japan event earlier in year.
Future of Fighting Games
EVO 2026 captures FGC at peak evolution. Main-stage unification rewards excellence across board. MK1’s exit hurts but opens doors – 2XKO could redefine team fighters like League never did. Indies like Rivals prove passion trumps budget.
Vampire Savior’s return reminds everyone: classics endure. Six arena games promise bracket insanity; 12 total means non-stop action. This lineup isn’t just diverse – it’s definitive proof fighting games never sleep. Sharpen those combos. History awaits.