The stage is set for an epic showdown at the Evo Awards 2026! The highly anticipated nominees are out, and the public now has the power to decide the winners! But who will reign supreme in the world of fighting games?
The Evo Awards, a relatively new addition to the gaming calendar, made its debut last year with a bang, uniting the fighting game community and delivering exciting announcements. Now, the organizers are gearing up for round two, and they're giving the community a voice in determining the champions.
The nomination phase has concluded, and the finalists across numerous categories have been announced. From now until February 20th, fans can cast their votes on the official Evo website, ensuring their favorites receive the recognition they deserve.
The categories cover a wide spectrum of achievements and talents, including Best Artist, Best Character, Best Combo, Best Commentary Moment, and even Best Pop Off! But here's where it gets controversial: the nominees for Player of the Year are a hotly debated topic, with Xiao Hai, Blaz, Arslan Ash, Go1, and MenaRD all vying for the title. Who do you think deserves the crown?
The Evo Awards 2026 will also showcase the full game lineups for the main Evo and Evo Japan events, which were previously revealed and will take place in June and May, respectively. The ceremony is set to be held on March 28th in Los Angeles, California, and promises to be a night to remember.
Here's a sneak peek at some of the top award categories and their nominees:
Player of the Year:
- Xiao Hai
- Blaz
- Arslan Ash
- Go1
- MenaRD
Match of the Year:
- Xiao Hai vs. LauYagami
- Blaz vs. Mister Crimson
- Go1 vs. ET
- Psycho vs. Blaz
- Bigblack vs. Defiant
Moment of the Year:
- LauYagami's SWC victory
- Mister Crimson's epic comeback
- Punk's stand
- MenaRD's Evo 2025 triumph
- KojiKOG's crashout
They've Got Next:
- Hinao
- Neia
- Blaz
- Riddles
- Micky
Best Local:
- Iron Grid
- 404 Esports
- RunTheMix
- King's Cup
- Rivercity Rushdown
Best Online Series:
- Tampa Never Sleeps
- La Gema
- Breakout Series
- Paragonline
- Motivation Academy
Best Character:
- Mai Shiranui
- Ryu
- Ekko
- Potemkin
- Armor King
Best Game Release:
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
- Hunter x Hunter Nen Impact
- 2XKO
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Best Content Creator:
- Brian_F
- SharkParty
- Rooflemonger
- Sajam
- Diaphone
With the voting period open, the fate of these awards is in the hands of the public. And this is the part most people miss: your vote matters! So, get involved, cast your votes, and be part of the gaming community's biggest celebration. Who do you think will dominate the Evo Awards 2026? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
