Evo, the world’s biggest fighting‑game tournament, unveiled Evo Locals with a $1 million annual grant to support smaller community events. While the fund promises venue, production and staffing aid, a segment of organizers balk at the Saudi‑backed financing.
The globally renowned fighting‑game championship Evo announced a new program called Evo Locals last week. The initiative will list grassroots tournaments worldwide in an online directory and, more importantly, provide a striking $1 million yearly fund to help them thrive.
What the Fund Offers
The site is still in beta, but it already showcases a range of community hubs and regional online groups that can join with ease. Beyond cash prizes, the grant covers venue fees, production costs, staffing, graphic design, trailer creation, social‑media best practices and introductions to commentators—essentially everything needed to run a professional‑grade event. Evo’s CEO Stuart Saw emphasized, “From day one, Evo has always been about the diverse global community. Our goal with Evo Locals is to solve equipment and connectivity challenges and nurture the next generation of fighting‑game competitors and fans.”
Community Reaction
The response has been mixed. New York DIY tournament co‑founder Sway called the initiative “awesome,” noting that it goes beyond a simple prize‑pool boost and actually helps organizers manage the logistics of an event. British Tekken commentator Hassan “Spag” Farooq described grassroots events as the “bread and butter” of the fighting‑game community and hailed the fund as “very positive” for sustaining local scenes that ultimately feed larger Evo tournaments.
Funding Source Controversy
Complicating matters, Evo’s parent company RTS was fully acquired earlier this year by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Human‑rights groups have repeatedly condemned the kingdom for its use of forced labor and capital punishment, leading many in the esports world to label the grant as a form of “sports‑washing.” Irish community organizer Paul ‘Dark Onion’ warned, “If the money comes from the Saudi PIF, it inevitably ties our grassroots to a political agenda, and I would lose at least half my attendance if I accepted it.”
Looking Ahead
Applications for the grant will open later this year, but the exact terms and disbursement mechanisms remain unclear. Some organizers, like Sway, fear that the identity of local events could be diluted if sponsors demand naming rights. Meanwhile, Evo has already announced a slate of major tournaments for next year, raising the question of whether the new funding will genuinely empower grassroots scenes or simply serve as a PR shield for the parent company.
