For three days, from October 10 to 12, Nice will pulse to the rhythm of joysticks and the cries of the crowd. The Palais des Expositions will host Evo France, the first European edition of the world’s largest fighting game tournament. Nearly 5,000 players from 93 countries will gather on the French Riviera to write a new chapter in the history of esports.
It is already being heralded as a historic first. The Evolution Championship Series is leaving American soil for the first time and is arriving in Nice. A strong decision that puts the Azure capital in the spotlight of global gaming.
From Friday, October 10 to Sunday, October 12, thousands of players and spectators will converge on the Palais des Expositions. The organizers speak of “never-before-seen numbers in Europe”: 93 nationalities represented and nearly 5,000 registered competitors. Enough to transform Nice into a true global hub of versus fighting.
A shared passion across the globe
Evo France brings together players from all backgrounds: from the United States to Japan, passing through Peru, Australia, and over twenty African countries, including Morocco, Algeria, and Madagascar. For many, it is a unique opportunity to test their skills on the biggest stage in the discipline.
This diversity showcases the strength of video games: creating connections where borders divide. “Fighting games have always had this unique ability to bring the whole world together,” notes Rick Thiher, the general manager of Evo.
Headliners will not be lacking on stage. Street Fighter VI and Tekken 8 will be the stars on Sunday, but other cult titles like Guilty Gear and Granblue Fantasy Versus will also draw crowds of competitors. Each of these games will break its European participation record, proving that the community was just waiting for an event of this magnitude on the continent.
The finals promise electrifying atmospheres, with a heated audience and matches where every move can change the course of history.
But Evo France is not limited to its competitions. Visitors can stroll through an Artist Alley, discover creations inspired by fighting game universes, and enjoy publisher booths, where some world announcements are expected to surprise fans.
To ensure the celebration is complete, a free fan zone will be set up at Gare du Sud. There, giant screens, free-play consoles, and activities will allow attendees to experience the event without a ticket. In the evening, the Gare will also host after parties, where players and enthusiasts will gather in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Nice, an international showcase for esports
By hosting Evo, Nice confirms its role as an international stage. Already accustomed to hosting major sporting events from the Tour de France to the 2024 Olympic Games, the city now adds a new string to its bow: that of esports.
For Bertrand Amar, Head of esports at Webedia and co-producer of the event, it is a consecration: “with 93 countries represented and nearly 5,000 competitors, Evo France proves how attractive France, the South Region, and the city of Nice are for esports audiences from around the world.”
Beyond the numbers, it is the atmosphere that will leave a mark: players from all over the world, fans cheering for their favorite champions, breathtaking finals, and an entire city transformed into a playground.
As summarized by Samad Abdessadki, aka Damascus, a Niçois and presenter of the tournament: “one might think that these records are most important, but I am convinced that the event itself will remain in history as one of the most incredible experiences ever lived.”
From October 10 to 12, Nice will be much more than a host city; it will be the beating heart of a global community united by the passion for fighting games.
