Justin Wong, IFC Yipes, and Grr, and Cloud805 will duke it out in an Invincible VS exhibition match.
Details about the second-ever Evolution Championship Series (Evo) Awards Show were just revealed. Just like last year, this year’s iteration of it will happen in Las Angeles, CA. Evo Awards 2026 will also once again feature legends within the fighting game community (FGC) such as Justin Wong and Michael “IFC Yipes” Mendoza.
Evo Awards 2026
The Evo Awards will begin with a pre-show on March 28 in Los Angeles, CA at 3:30 p.m. PT. After the pre-show, 20 awards will be granted to members of the FGC starting at 5:40 p.m. PT. Then, at 7 p.m. PT, the latest Hall of Fame inductees will be revealed. The show will conclude at 8 p.m. PT.
- Pre-Show: 3:30 p.m. PT
- Evo Awards: 5:40 p.m. PT
- Evo Hall of Fame: 7 p.m. PT
- Show Ends: 8 p.m. PT
Invincible VS and Avatar at Evo Awards 2026
The pre-show will be hosted by Hollywood RobTV and Tasty Steve. It will also feature special guests Shishiro Botan from Hololive and award nominees. Since this year’s event will give the spotlight to Invincible VS ahead of its release date of April 30, the pre-show will have Justin Wong, IFC Yipes, and Grr, and Cloud805 duke it out in an exhibition match as well.
“And tune in as a special guest – a new challenger from the Avatar universe – takes the Evo Awards stage for a fighting game reveal you won’t want to miss!” the official announcement added.
Where to watch Evo Awards 2026
Evo Awards Show 2026 will be streamed on March 28 starting at 3:30 p.m. PT on Twitch and YouTube.
Evo Awards nominees and categories 2026
According to the announcement, the 20 Evo Awards nominees were voted on by the community. Presenting partner Chipotle will give out Best Custom Controller Award and Best Meme Award. Meanwhile, Zenni will present the Best Dressed Award, They’ve Got Next Award, Match of the Year Award, and Player of the Year Award.
| Evo Awards 2026 Category | Evo Awards 2026 Nominees |
|---|---|
| Best Artist | Hungry Clicker, SpaceDey, BeffenM, Klever Art, Rskad |
| Best Character | Mai Shiranui, Ryu, Ekko, Potemkin, Armor King |
| Best Combo | Ed’s Dream Combo Blaz’s Sagat vs Xiohai’s Mai Fan, Ryan Hart’s Dragon Dance, SuperKawaiiDesu’s Arhi Tod, AbuOmar Double Super vs Kindevu |
| Best Commentary | “MenaRD cannot be denied.” – Sajam “Ninjas in Paris!” – MarkMan “This cell might be bleeding, but he remains perfect.” – Damascus Tasty Steve narrating Arslan Ash’s Evo win Rynge on Blaz entering Grand Finals of CapCom Cup 11 |
| Best Content Creator | Brian_F, Sharkparty, Rooflemonger, Sajam, Diaphone |
| Best Cosplay | RhinosaurousRex’s R. Mika, Bridoof’s Jack-O, Steff Von Schweetz’s Cagliostro, Kaho Shibuya’s Hsein-Ko, Sharkparty’s Juri |
| Best Custom Controller (presented by Chipotle) | The Bard Box, Arcade Cab Folding Table, Itabashi Zangeif’s 3D Controller, The Plant Box, The Giant Fight Stick |
| Best Dressed (presented by Zenni) | WhiteBl4ck, Tasty Steve, Unroolie, Hollywood RobTV, Ryan Hart |
| Best Game Release | Virtua Fighter 5 Revo World Stage, HUNTERxHUNTER NENxIMPACT, 2XKO, Capcom Fighting Collection 2, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves |
| Best Local | Iron Grid, 404 Esports, RuTheMix, King’s Cup, River City Rushdown |
| Best Meme (presented by Chipotle) | 6-7, What Are You Standing Up For, KojiKOG’s Crashout, Ryan Hart. Steamed Bun Man |
| Best Online Series | Tampa Never Sleeps, La Gema, Breakout Series, ParagOnline, Motivation Academy |
| Best Pop Off | Shin Paulo at Irongrid, Dual Kevin at Combo Breaker, Mulgold vs. Atif at EWC, Punk Standing Up vs Xiaohau at EWC, Arslan winning Evo France 2025 |
| Best Product | Brook Wingman Converter, Haute42 x Hautepad X, Qanda Sapphire, Corsair Novablade, Jonyfraze 4TW |
| Comeback of the Year | Blaz vs Mister Crimson, kobayan vs Dual Kevin, Gropis vs Hikari, BigBlack vs Defiant, Psycho vs Blaz |
| Commentator of the Year | MrLeapfrog, IFC YipeS, Shidosha, Tasty Steve, Rynge |
| Match of the Year (presented by Qiddiya) | Xiaohau vs Lauyagami, Blaz vs Mister Crimson, Go1 vs ET, Psycho vs Blaz, BigBlack vs Defiant |
| Moment of the Year | Lauyagami winning SWC, Mister Crimson’s comeback, Punk standing up, MenaRD’s Evo 2025 win, KojiKOB’s crashout |
| Player of the Year (presented by Qiddiya) | Xiaohau, Blaz, Arslan Ash, Go1, MenaRD |
| They’ve Got Next (upcoming new player) (presented by PlayStation Tournaments) | Hinao, Neia, Blaz, Riddles, Micky |
That’s all for now. Will you be watching the second-annual Evo Awards Show? Stick around on esports.gg for more news and updates.