Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya City now owns Evo, and the FGC is furious

Qiddiya City — the Saudi state-backed megaproject tied to Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman — has completed its acquisition of Evo, the fighting game community's most prestigious tournament series. The deal was announced in February 2026, and the backlash from the FGC was immediate.

Qiddiya Investment Company chief strategy officer Muhannad Aldawood framed the takeover in familiar corporate language, promising to respect Evo's heritage and support its long-term growth. The Saudi government's involvement with Evo actually stretches back to 2024, when Qiddiya first appeared as a global partner, then moved to partial ownership before completing the full acquisition. That gradual escalation didn't soften the blow — the community's reaction online was loud, angry, and, in some corners, darkly funny.

The concern isn't just about who owns a tournament bracket. Saudi Arabia has spent years pumping money into sports and entertainment — LIV Golf, WWE events in Riyadh, comedy festivals — as part of a documented sportswashing strategy designed to improve the kingdom's international image while human rights organizations continue to flag serious abuses. Video games and esports have become the latest front in that campaign, with Saudi state-linked entities acquiring stakes across the industry. Critics argue that by competing at and promoting Evo, players and personalities become unwitting — or in some cases willing — participants in that image rehabilitation effort.

Notably, some high-profile competitive players have stayed quiet while grassroots community members have been the loudest voices pushing back. Evo itself has drifted far from its origins as a community-run grassroots event, passing through corporate hands including Sony Interactive Entertainment before landing here. Whether the FGC's anger translates into any meaningful pressure — boycotts, player withdrawals, sponsor scrutiny — remains to be seen.