RIYADH: Qiddiya City has taken another step in advancing its long-term vision for gaming and esports after its gaming talent management and brand consultancy company, RTS, completed the acquisition of the Evolution Championship Series, Evo.

RTS, which acquired Evo — the world’s most established and influential fighting game competition — from Nodwin Gaming, was founded in 2021 and acquired by Qiddiya Investment Company in September 2025.

QIC, the company driving the development of Qiddiya City, is home to what is set to be the world’s first dedicated Gaming and Esports District and this agreement reinforces its commitment to community-driven play as pillars of its destination strategy, said Muhannad Al-Dawood, chief strategy officer of QIC.

Al-Dawood added: “Evo is a global gaming institution, built on community, competition and creativity. Through RTS and Qiddiya City, we are committed to supporting Evo’s long-term growth in a way that respects its heritage and strengthens its role within the global Fighting Game Community. This is about investing in the future of play, and safeguarding what makes Evo special.”

Founded more than 20 years ago, Evo has grown from a grassroots tournament into the world’s largest fighting game event, sitting at the heart of the worldwide Fighting Game Community, or FGC.

In 2026, Evo will stage major international events in Tokyo, Japan, Las Vegas in Nevada, and Nice, France as it continues its role as a global platform for competitive excellence, cultural exchange and community connection.

Under RTS ownership, Evo’s identity will remain unchanged, with key leadership set to remain in place, ensuring long-term stability, said Stuart Saw, chief executive officer of RTS.

“We are proud of our legacy with Evo that started five years ago,” Saw said. “We’re going to continue investing in the things that matter to our community, elevating and empowering members of the FGC and working diligently with our game developer partners to ensure that Evo benefits all involved parties.”

The acquisition aligns Evo with Qiddiya City’s broader vision, at the heart of which lies the development of the Gaming and Esports District; a purpose-built hub spanning 183,100-sq. meters comprising four world-class esports arenas with a capacity of 73,000 seats and regional industry headquarters for more than 30 companies.

As one of Qiddiya City’s premier projects, the Gaming and Esports District aims to highlight the city’s “power of play” philosophy, where gaming, sport, entertainment and culture come together within one destination.