The second Evo Awards took place on March 28 in Los Angeles and handed out 20 awards across competitive results, commentary, content, cosplay, hardware, and general fighting game culture.
Public voting for the awards opened in January, just after the shortlist was revealed, and the results weren’t unexpected.
The awards show was backed by Qiddiya, which also owns RTS, the venture that recently purchased the Evo event series and announced the expansion into Brazil, Morocco, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and China starting in 2027, along with an already-planned visit to Singapore.
The show this year looked more polished and rehearsed, but without going into full corporate mode, both structurally and presentation-wise. Majin Obama being a great host also helped.
As for the nominations themselves, there were no real surprises, as those who deserved it the most got their flowers. Even the contentious categories had one of the two favorites win it.
Every Evo Awards 2026 nominee and winner
Best Artist
- Space Dey
- Beffen M
- Klever Art
- Hungry Clicker
- Rskad
Winner: Hungry Clicker
Best Character
- Mai Shiranui
- Ryu
- Ekko
- Potemkin
- Armor King
Winner: Mai Shiranui
Best Combo
- Ed’s Dream Combo
- Blaz’s Sagat vs Xiaohai’s Mai
- Ryan Hart’s Dragon Dance
- SuperKawaiiDesu’s Ahri TOD
- AbuOmar’s double super vs Kindevu
Winner: Blaz’s Sagat vs Xiaohai’s Mai
Best Commentary Moment
- Sajam at Evo
- MarkMan at Combo Breaker
- Tasty Steve at Evo
- Rynge at Capcom Cup 11
- Damascus at Evo France
Winner: Rynge at Capcom Cup 11
Best Content Creator
- Brian_F
- SharkParty
- Rooflemonger
- Sajam
- Diaphone
Winner: Rooflemonger
Best Cosplay
- Sharkparty’s Juri
- Rhinosaurousrex’s Mika
- Bridoof’s Jack-O
- Steffvonschweetz’s Cagliostro
- Kaho Shibuya’s Hsien-Ko
Winner: Sharkparty’s Juri
Best Custom Controller
- Arcade Cab Folding Table
- Itabashi Zangief’s 3D Controller
- The Plant Box
- The Giant Fight Stick
- The Bard Box
Winner: The Bard Box
Best Dressed
- WhiteBl4ck
- Tasty Steve
- Unrooolie
- Ryan Hart
- Hollywood RobTV
Winner: Ryan Hart
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
Winner: Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Best Local
- River City Rushdown
- Iron Grid
- 4o4 Esports
- RunTheMix
- King’s Cup
Winner: River City Rushdown
Best Meme
- What are you standing up for?
- KojiKOG’s crashout at Evo 2025
- 67
- Ryan Hart “Steamed Bun Man”
- Elves and Dwarves together
Winner: KojiKOG’s crashout at Evo 2025
Best Online Series
- Tampa Never Sleeps
- La Gema
- Breakout Series
- ParagOnline
- Motivation Academy
Winner: Tampa Never Sleeps
Best Pop Off
- Punk standing up vs Xiaohai at EWC
- Shin Paulo at Irongrid
- Dual Kevin at Combo Breaker
- Mulgold vs Atif at EWC
- Arslan winning Evo France 2025
Winner: Punk standing up vs Xiaohai at EWC
Best Product
- Haute42 Hautepad X
- Qanba Sapphire
- The Brook Wingman Converter
- Corsair Novablade
- Jonyfraze 4TW
Winner: The Brook Wingman Converter
Comeback of the Year
- Kobayan vs Dual Kevin
- Gropis vs Hikari
- BigBlack vs Defian
- Psycho vs Blaz
- Mister Crimson vs Blaz
Winner: Mister Crimson vs Blaz
Commentator of the Year
- MrLeapfrog
- IFCYipeS
- Shidosha
- Tasty Steve
- Rynge
Winner: Tasty Steve
Match of the Year
- Blaz vs Mister Crimson
- Go1 vs ET
- Psycho vs Blaz
- BigBlack vs Defiant
- Xiaohai vs Lauyagami
Winner: Xiaohai vs Lauyagami
Moment of the Year
- Lauyagami winning SWC
- Mister Crimson comeback
- Punk standing up
- MenaRD’s Evo 2025 victory
- KojiKOG’s crashout
Winner: KojiKOG’s crashout
They’ve Got Next
- Hinao
- Blaz
- Neia
- Enigmas
- Mickey
Winner: Blaz
Player of the Year
- Xiaohai
- Blaz
- Arslan Ash
- Go1
- MenaRD
Winner: Arslan Ash
Additionally, Ryan Hart, Shinya “Nuki” Onuki, and Mike “Watts” Watson were inducted into the Evo Hall of Fame.
