Qiddiya-Owned RTS Takes Control of Evolution Championship Series

The Evolution Championship Series (EVO), a premier fighting game tournament circuit, has transitioned to full ownership under RTS, a company acquired by the Saudi Arabian government-backed mega-city project, Qiddiya. This consolidation follows the sale of the remaining stake held by India-based esports firm NODWIN Gaming to RTS in February 2026. While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, the move marks the final step in a series of ownership shifts that began in September 2025, when Qiddiya fully acquired the event production company RTS.

Prior to this final acquisition, NODWIN Gaming had purchased Sony Interactive Entertainment’s stake in EVO in August 2025, transitioning from an owner to a marketing partner. Despite the change in equity, NODWIN Gaming is expected to continue supporting the event through ongoing marketing efforts. The acquisition aligns with Qiddiya’s broader strategic objective to establish itself as a global hub for the gaming, esports, and entertainment industries, supported by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund.

The integration of EVO into the Qiddiya portfolio highlights the ongoing expansion of Saudi-backed investments within the global esports sector. These developments have frequently drawn scrutiny from international human rights organizations, which have raised concerns regarding the use of such investments as a mechanism for sports washing. The transition of EVO to total Qiddiya control represents a significant consolidation of power within the competitive fighting game landscape, centralizing the management of one of the industry's most prominent tournament circuits under a single state-backed entity.