Capcom Signs Street Fighter-Focused, Multi-Year Partnership With The Esports World Cup Foundation

Capcom has entered into a three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation to integrate Street Fighter 6 into the annual Esports World Cup held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This collaboration formally embeds the tournament series into the broader Street Fighter esports ecosystem, including direct ties to the Capcom Pro Tour and the Street Fighter League. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the agreement facilitates deep integration, including the incorporation of Esports World Cup branding and activations directly into the Street Fighter 6 in-game user interface.

The partnership establishes a clear qualification pathway for the Esports World Cup 2025 Finals, which will feature 48 players. Slots are allocated to top performers from the Capcom Cup, the Street Fighter League: World Championship, and various Capcom Pro Tour events, with additional opportunities provided through Last Chance Qualifiers. This structure aims to foster global engagement and innovation within the competitive fighting game community.

The Esports World Cup is managed by the Esports World Cup Foundation, a non-profit entity funded by the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund, and is operated by the ESL FACEIT Group. The initiative has faced scrutiny from international human rights organizations regarding the Saudi government's record on human rights, with critics often characterizing such high-profile sporting investments as a form of sports washing. Despite these concerns, the partnership represents a significant expansion of the Street Fighter competitive circuit, with Capcom leadership emphasizing the move as a strategic effort to grow the game's global audience and inspire future generations of players.