The landscape of competitive fighting games has reached a new milestone as RTS, an entity backed by Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City, has officially taken 100% ownership of the Evolution Championship Series (EVO). This transition follows a series of structural shifts that began in late 2025, ultimately resulting in the exit of both Sony and NODWIN Gaming from the brand’s ownership group.
Qiddiya-Backed RTS Takes 100% Stakes of EVO
While RTS had previously shared control of the premier fighting game tournament, this latest move sees them acquire the remaining stake held by India-based NODWIN Gaming. Despite stepping down as a co-owner, NODWIN is expected to maintain a relationship with the brand, shifting its focus toward marketing initiatives. This concludes a phased withdrawal by Sony, which began distancing itself from EVO ownership in August 2025.
The acquisition is spearheaded by the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), the force behind the massive Qiddiya City entertainment project. By taking full control of RTS, and by extension EVO, the Saudi-backed organization is further cementing its footprint in the global esports ecosystem.
Speaking on EVO’s asset transfer to RTS, Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming, said: “EVO represents the passion, resilience, and spirit of the fighting game community, and it is a privilege for us to be part of that journey. As the platform steps into a new era of global opportunity, we see RTS as the right partner to build on its strong foundation and guide its continued evolution. For NODWIN, this is a strategic step that sharpens our focus on markets where gaming is witnessing extraordinary momentum. Our commitment to growing esports ecosystems remains unwavering, and we look forward to collaborating with RTS to bring EVO experiences to new audiences while continuing to shape the future of gaming across emerging regions.”
For NODWIN Gaming, the transition marks a deliberate step toward deepening its presence in emerging markets and fiscal discipline – a strategy that has led the company back into an EBITDA positive state as of Q3 2025 while maintaining an impressive 58% YoY growth in revenue which stands at INR 530.3 Crore (USD 58.5 M) for the first 9 months of FY 26.
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Despite the change in leadership at the top, RTS has expressed a commitment to preserving the “soul” of the fighting game community (FGC). Stuart Saw, CEO of RTS, emphasized that the organization intends to honor the five-year legacy they have built with the tournament. The goal is to continue empowering players and collaborating with developers to ensure the event remains the gold standard for competitive fighting games.
For fans concerned about the immediate future, the 2026 circuit remains on track. EVO Japan 2026 is scheduled for May, followed shortly by the flagship EVO 2026 event in June. As RTS takes the reins independently, the community will be watching closely to see how this centralized ownership impacts the scale and atmosphere of the world’s most iconic fighting game stage. With the backing of Qiddiya City’s resources, the brand appears poised for further expansion, even as it promises to stay true to its grassroots origins.
