Grassroots fighting game events will gain access to a $1m support fund later this year: here’s why some will turn it down
Evo, the world’s largest fighting game tournament, has announced Evo Locals, a new initiative designed to support grassroots fighting game events globally. The program combines two key components: a searchable directory of regional community hubs and online communities, and a substantial $1 million annual fund available to grassroots organizers.
The Evo Locals website is currently in beta, allowing interested communities to join and discover regional events and online communities. The financial support component operates as a grant and partnership program, with applications set to open later in 2026.
A notable aspect of the Evo Locals initiative is its approach to funding. Rather than simply injecting capital into tournament prize pools, the program aims to provide broader forms of support to grassroots organizers, though the full details of what this support encompasses were not available in the announcement. This distinction suggests Evo is attempting to address multiple challenges facing grassroots fighting game communities beyond just competitive prizes.
The announcement comes as the fighting game community continues to grow globally, with grassroots events serving as important entry points for new players and community engagement. However, the article hints that some grassroots organizers may choose not to participate in the program, suggesting potential concerns or conditions within the initiative that some in the community view as problematic or undesirable.