The agreement also incorporates EWC activations into Street Fighter’s in-game player interface, delivering EWC engagement throughout Street Fighter's global ecosystem.
The new collaboration is a key component of EWCF’s commitment to fostering the sustainable growth of esports as a global sport, offering top players and Clubs the opportunity to compete on the world’s biggest esports stage.
As part of the agreement, the top eight players from CAPCOM CUP 11—the pinnacle of the CAPCOM Pro Tour—and 12 players from the Street Fighter League: World Championship, featuring elite competitors from Japan, the U.S., and Europe, will earn direct qualification for the EWC 2025 Street Fighter 6 Finals. An additional 10 slots will be awarded to winners of Capcom Pro Tour 2025 events, including Evo Japan and Vegas, CPT Combo Breaker, Blink Respawn, and CPT CEO, leading up to August 2025.
The remaining slots will be available to winners of professional and grassroots Street Fighter 6 events worldwide, including the EWC Last Chance Qualifiers in August 2025, culminating in 48 players competing on stage at the Street Fighter 6 Finals in Riyadh.
The partnership follows the previously announced return of Street Fighter 6 to EWC 2025, and kicks off on March 9, 2025 at the Street Fighter League: World Championship event in Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Japan.
"Street Fighter has been at the heart of competitive gaming for decades, offering a pure test of individual skill—just you against your opponent—fueling intense rivalries and a relentless pursuit of self-improvement," said Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. "Its arcade roots created a social experience that still thrives today, from local communities to global arenas. Together with Capcom, we are creating new ways for fans and players to experience the game, while unifying the competitive ecosystem and ensuring the best players have a clear path to the biggest stage. Fighting games are a true test of skill, strategy, and resilience, and by bringing the Street Fighter 6 circuit to EWC, we are celebrating its legacy with a new generation of players and fans, strengthening its role in the wider gaming culture."
"Through the Capcom Pro Tour and Capcom Cup, Street Fighter has been a cornerstone of the esports scene for the past ten years, celebrated for its fast-paced action, dramatic comebacks, and clutch moments that make it one of the most thrilling games to play and watch, " said Shuhei Matsumoto, Producer, Street Fighter 6, CAPCOM. “Our partnership with the Esports World Cup fosters an even deeper engagement between our players, fans and audiences worldwide. And this is just the beginning—together with EWC, we will continue to grow and innovate, and inspire the next generation of players."
Street Fighter 6 made history as the first fighting game to join the inaugural Esports World Cup last summer, with qualifiers held around the world to enable grassroots participants to secure a spot on a pathway to EWC. With 32 elite players from across the globe, the competition delivered unforgettable moments, drawing a viewing audience of over six million. The event concluded with a dramatic EWC Street Fighter 6 Finals where the fighting game veteran, Zeng “Xiao Hai” Zhuojun, cemented his legacy with a dominant performance and a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool.
Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.