Second Evo Awards Edition Reveals Player of the Year Nominees

The Evo Awards are set to return for their second edition, following a successful debut in 2025.

The ceremony is designed to celebrate all corners of the Fighting Game Community, featuring a wide range of categories that reflect its diversity. These include awards such as Best Cosplayer and Best Esports Peripheral, ensuring that the spotlight isn’t limited solely to competitive play. This year even introduces a Best Meme category, somewhat amusingly featuring the now-infamous “6–7” meme among its nominees.

While there is plenty to like about the awards, one recurring criticism remains: the heavy skew toward more popular titles, particularly Street Fighter 6. Many of the most prominent nominees, players, and moments originate from SF6. While this can be justified by the game’s massive audience and cultural impact, there is also a strong argument that a more balanced spread could better showcase the niche and lesser-highlighted parts of the FGC.

For most fans, however, the marquee category remains Player of the Year, which boasts an exceptionally strong shortlist:

• Blaz

• MenaRD

• Xiao Hai

• GO1

• Arslan Ash

Notably, four of the five nominees are tied to Street Fighter 6 in some capacity, once again underlining the game’s dominance within the competitive scene.

Voting closes on February 20, with the award ceremony set to take place on the 28th of March.