Sony has sold its EVO share to Nodwin Gaming, marking a change of hands in the fighting game community’s biggest tournament. Even after no longer owning the show, Sony will also continue as a now-global sponsor through at least 2028, so it’ll still be available on one of the most iconic esports platforms.
The Sony EVO stake sale makes Indian esports and entertainment giant Nodwin Gaming backed by Nazara Technologies the new majority shareholder. The move bolsters Nodwin’s global esports footprint, while also retaining Sony’s participation as a leading EVO sponsor. It didn’t share financial details, but said that it plans to continue to host and broadcast fighting game-related EVO events, adding that the decision is “critical to the community.”
Sony EVO stake ownership The Sony EVO share was obtained by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and RTS in 2021. Sony’s goal was looking to the future of expanding EVO’s reach, bringing fighting games to the entire world. Now, as Sony takes over sponsorship, SIE Vice President of Global Partner Development Phil Rosenberg says EVO momentum has never been greater, especially coming off its record-breaking 2025 Las Vegas event.
To that Las Vegas EVO event, more than 10,000 took part in major games, such as Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8 and Mortal Kombat 1. With Sony’s EVO stake passed on, EVO will grow even more, with Nodwin revealing they will run new regional tournaments, hosting for the first time in Europe.
Nodwin Gaming, which now owns the Sony EVO stake, has been building its esports empire aggressively. The company has recently acquired AFK Gaming and various other outfits (raising $63m in multiple funding rounds in the process from Sony and Pratithi Investments). This acquisition follows Nodwin’s ongoing trend of expanding its reach in global competitive gaming landscape.
In addition to Sony selling its stake in EVO, EVO revealed new partnerships. Qiddiya, the Saudi Arabian entertainment and gaming project, has become a global partner for EVO and will act as an investor in RTS. This enables the further integration of EVOs global network with sustainable growth.
Sony said it would continue to sponsor EVO even after it sold its stake, emphasizing PlayStation’s commitment to the fighting game community. You can expect too that EVOs will still feature PlayStation products, including the recently-revealed FlexStrike fight stick and exclusive early access to fighting games like, say, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls.
Through continued sponsorship, Sony ensures that its Sony EVO stake transfer won’t diminish its presence in the arena of competitive gaming. On the other hand, this allows PlayStation to still be at the center of the EVO events through Nodwin Gaming’s control of ownership and expansion.
FAQ
Sony divested its EVO position to Nodwin Gaming, though it will continue to serve as the event’s global sponsor until 2028.
The new majority shareholder is Indian esports company Nodwin Gaming after buying out the Sony stake in Sony EVO.
Yes. Sony to remain EVO global sponsor, PlayStation will still be featured at future events
Ownership and operations will be led by Nodwin Gaming, which will guide EVO’s growth to new regions.
After a successful edition at Las Vegas in 2025, EVO is all set to make its entry in Europe with Nodwin’s partnership at the helm.