Esports company NODWIN Gaming is buying the stake to take on co-ownership of EVO, with fellow owner RTS getting investment from Qiddiya.
In March 2021, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) acquired EVO in a joint venture with esports organization RTS. This week, Sony is stepping back from co-ownership of the biggest fighting game tournament in the world as it sells its stake to India-based esports group NODWIN Gaming. RTS will still continue to co-own the brand with increased investment from the Saudi Arabia PIF-funded Qiddiya. Meanwhile, Sony will go back to being a sponsor for EVO in future events.
The EVO organization announced the details of its change in ownership and investment in a press release launched this week. It begins with SIE bowing out of its co-ownership of EVO by selling its stake to NODWIN Gaming, of which parent company Sony also backs. NODWIN comes out of India where it has produced esports events and content based around games like PUBG and Valorant. The group will join RTS in co-ownership of EVO for the foreseeable future. Sony will continue to support EVO as a global sponsor and partner.
Source: NODWIN Gaming
NODWIN Gaming acknowledged Sony’s part in helping grow and expand EVO and Managing Director Akshat Rathee is excited to pick up the baton and run with it alongside RTS.
“Evo was built by a team whose authenticity and passion for the fighting game community are unmatched,” Akshat Rathee said in an included statement. “We will continue SIE’s great work and honor the legacy of everyone who has made it what it is today, while opening the door for a new generation to experience the spirit of Evo.”
Likewise, RTS shared enthusiasm for the future, as part of this announcement included an increase in investment from Qiddiya, which became an EVO global partner in 2024.
“Teaming up with Qiddiya strengthens the future of RTS and what we’re building with Evo, an event that lives up to its name by driving real transformation in the fighting game community through new opportunities, deeper connections, and meaningful growth,” said Stuart Saw, CEO of RTS.
EVO 2025 was an incredible triumph in many ways, as shared by many of us here at Shacknews when the dust settled. However, it will be interesting to see what happens next. With NODWIN taking the helm alongside the Qiddiya-invested RTS, stay tuned to the Evolution Championship Series topic for more updates and news.
TJ Denzer is a player and writer with a passion for games that has dominated a lifetime. He found his way to the Shacknews roster in late 2019 and has worked his way to Senior News Editor since. Between news coverage, he also aides notably in livestream projects like the indie game-focused Indie-licious, the Shacknews Stimulus Games, and the Shacknews Dump. You can reach him at tj.denzer@shacknews.com and also find him on BlueSky @JohnnyChugs.
