Punk Highlights Toll of Constant Travel on Pro Fighting Game Players

Evo 2024 winner Victor “Punk” Woodley has spoken out about the health challenges that come with the modern landscape of competitive fighting games.

Punk, who recently secured his spot in next year’s Capcom Cup through the FightClub Championship VI Chengdu, has been on a demanding travel schedule for months. In a recent social media post, he revealed that constant travel and time zone changes have begun to take a toll on his health, particularly on his sleep.

He wrote, “I hope everyone can take care of themselves who travels to all these tournaments. This last stretch of events has been the most rough stretch of traveling for me since 2019 which I was much younger so I didn’t really mind. Haven’t really been able to sleep more than 2 hours in about a month going from different time zones every week, so I hope as pro gamers we can all take care of our health.”

Punk noted that while he could once handle the intense schedule with ease, growing older has made him more aware of his physical and mental well-being. The 27-year-old has been one of the most active players on the competitive circuit this year, often appearing at events in North America, Europe, and Asia.

The modern fighting game calendar has become increasingly demanding, with players juggling numerous tournaments, league commitments, and large-scale events such as the Esports World Cup. These frequent competitions have blurred the lines between competitive seasons, leaving players with little time to rest or recover.

Big Bird, who finished as runner-up at Evo 2024, also shared his perspective. He noted that ever since Capcom Cup was moved to February or March, and with the Esports World Cup introducing its own competitive circuit, players effectively have no off-season.

For Street Fighter professionals, the Capcom Pro Tour season runs from May to March, featuring multiple premiers and leagues. The short break between March and May offers limited respite, as smaller tournaments often fill the gap.

As more money flows into competitive fighting games, player welfare and sustainability are becoming increasingly important topics. With longer circuits and more demanding schedules, teams and organizers may need to take a closer look at how to better support their players in the years to come.