EVO Japan 2026 explodes into Tokyo Big Sight this weekend (May 1-3), featuring 12 fighting game titles and the world's top talent battling for supremacy across Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear Strive, and Japanese arcade legends. Here's who to watch across the must-see matchups.
Street Fighter 6: C.R.O.W vs Big Bird Rematch
C.R.O.W (Japan, #1 seed) seeks revenge on Korea's Big Bird after 2025 EVO SF6 grand finals loss. C.R.O.W.'s Luke pressure (72% win rate) vs Big Bird's JP zoning battle expected Saturday Top 8. iDom (USA) and ChrisC (Taiwan) loom as dark horses.
Tekken 8: Arslan Ash vs Claudio Feng World Title Clash
Pakistan's Arslan Ash (Team Falcons, 3x EVO champ) faces Korea's Claudio Feng (Gen.G) in anticipated T8 semis. Arslan's Nina aggression vs Claudio's Dragunov wall-carry defines the meta. Bryan Low (DRX Korea) brings Dragunov mirror threat.
Guilty Gear Strive: Japan Domination Showdown
Ogawa vs Nage (both Japanese) headline GGST—Ogawa's Leo mixups (EVO 2025 winner) vs Nage's Goldlewis pressure. SonicFox (USA, part-time entrant) could upset with Slayer comeback run.
KOF XV: Xiaohai's Dynasty Continues
China's Xiaohai (5x EVO KOF champ) remains favorite with Terry Bogard, but Japan's Mizuki (Kyo) and Korea's DRX LowHigh (Iori) challenge supremacy.
Arcade Bracket Must-Watches
- Vampire Savior: Itabashi Zangief (Japan) vs Kawano—darkstalker legends
- Under Night In-Birth II: Yasha (Japan) defending vs HotDog (USA)
- Fatal Fury: City of Wolves Debut: Momochi showcasing new Terry Bogard
EVO Japan 2026 Game Lineup
| Main Stage | Arcade Stage |
|---|
| Main Stage | Arcade Stage |
|---|---|
| Street Fighter 6 | Vampire Savior |
| Tekken 8 | Under Night In-Birth II |
| Guilty Gear Strive | Fist of the North Star |
| Granblue Fantasy Vs Rising | Melty Blood Type Lumina |
| King of Fighters XV | Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. |
| 2XKO (Riot debut) | Castle of the Wolf |
Prize Pools: $250K+ total across titles, SF6/T8 largest cuts. Tokyo Big Sight hosts 15K+ daily attendees.
Broadcast: Twitch.tv/EVO (multi-language), 4K main stage. Top 8s start 6PM JST (5AM GMT) daily.
