Alex Set for Early Playable Debut at SFL Japan Grand Finals

Alex, the third character from Street Fighter 6’s Season 3 DLC roster, is set to release in March, and following the reveal of his gameplay trailer, which was met with a largely positive response, it has now been confirmed that some players will get an opportunity to try him out ahead of launch.

Via the official Japanese Street Fighter social media account, Capcom announced that Alex will be playable at the Street Fighter League Japan Grand Finals, which takes place on January 31st, 2026. This continues Capcom’s recent trend of showcasing upcoming DLC characters at major competitive events.

While much of the attention will understandably be on Crazy Raccoon and REJECT, who are set to clash for the SFL JP crown, there is significant excitement surrounding Alex’s early hands-on debut. For many fans, this will be the first real indication of how the character performs in a competitive environment rather than a controlled trailer setting.

Alex’s gameplay trailer portrayed him as a powerful, momentum-based grappler, complete with explosive strikes, command grabs, and strong corner pressure. His presentation has already caused some players, longtime critics of grappler archetypes, to reconsider their stance, especially given how mobile and aggressive Alex appears compared to traditional grapplers.

Historically, these early gameplay showcases often lead to a steady flow of first impressions from pro players, including thoughts on frame data, combo routes, and overall viability. While no official balance conclusions can be drawn this early, fans will be paying close attention to how Alex feels in real matches, particularly at the highest level of play.

With Season 3 already under scrutiny from parts of the community, Alex’s reception, both at SFL JP and upon his full release, could play a key role in shaping perceptions of Street Fighter 6’s ongoing evolution.