Sony sells EVO stake to NODWIN as Qiddiya invests in RTS

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NODWIN Gaming now owns a larger portion of EVO following Sony’s sale, with both companies holding the majority shares. As EVO grows and broadens its reach on a global scale, it will receive additional funding.

NODWIN Gaming expands its presence in the competitive gaming sector by acquiring Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) share in the Evolution Championship Series (EVO). Established in 2002, EVO is renowned as the largest and most prestigious global tournament for fighting games.

NODWIN Secures Majority Stake in EVO

Freaks4U Gaming (from Europe), AFKGaming (SEA), and NinjaGlobal (Middle East). Presently, NODWIN Gaming holds a majority share in EVO along with RTS.

In a post on LinkedIn, Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, shared that he used to play games like button mashing with his brother and cousins when he was young. He never imagined that one day, he would become the majority owner of the Evolution Championship Series together with RTS.

I adore EVO. I’ve been captivated by it every time I’ve visited. Legends like Sonic Fox, Daigo, Arslan, and many others have graced its stages. We aspire to ignite the passion of a fresh wave of gamers who haven’t yet experienced EVO, so they can witness for themselves the electric atmosphere that is simply known as: Evolution Championship Series.

Record-Breaking EVO 2025

At a perfectly timed moment, NODWIN Gaming has secured a new stake in EVO. The latest EVO event held in Las Vegas in 2025 marked a significant milestone with an unprecedented turnout, boasting 8,541 participants from 18 diverse gaming categories.

Sony shifts to EVO sponsorship

Based on the latest announcement, Sony is set to maintain its role as a global sponsor for EVO up until 2028. This means they will continue to support the Fighting Game Community (FGC) through the PlayStation Tournament platform and by developing key products tailored specifically for fighting game enthusiasts.

In 2021 when Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) took over EVO together with RTS, our aim was to foster the growth of the EVO community and shine a light on the talents and enthusiasm of fighting game enthusiasts around the world, as expressed by Phil Rosenberg, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Partner Development & Relations at Sony Interactive Entertainment.

With SIE moving towards being an EVO sponsor, the excitement surrounding EVO is at its peak after a triumphant Las Vegas event and plans for expansion into new locations worldwide. We’re thrilled to contribute to the ongoing global development of EVO.

Qiddiya fuels EVO’s future via RTS

This agreement further strengthens EVO’s connection with Saudi Arabia’s gaming aspirations, as RTS has obtained new funding from Qiddiya until 2027. Notably, Qiddiya is a significant entertainment and esports project supported by the Saudi Arabian government that falls under their Vision 2030 initiative. Moreover, they are actively participating in the Esports World Cup through the Esports District located in Riyadh.

Partnering with Qiddiya enhances the future of RTS and our project, Evo, which indeed delivers on its promise by spurring genuine transformation within the competitive fighting game scene through fresh chances, stronger relationships, and substantial progress,” said Stuart Saw, RTS’s CEO.

The upcoming Evo gaming tournament is scheduled to happen in Nice, France, from October 10th to 12th. This Evo event in France represents a significant step for the brand as it’s their debut in Europe. Moreover, the new partnership with NODWIN Gaming and increased funding from Qiddiya in the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) sector are expected to catalyze Evo’s growth even more.

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2025-08-23 13:11