Nice confirmed as Europe’s esports capital
The announcement of EVO’s return in 2026, following the 2025 edition, confirms the long-term presence of the event on the French Riviera. Nice is establishing itself as a major hub for esports in Europe, attracting an international community and strengthening its visibility in the digital and competitive arena.
Records broken even before the start
EVO France 2025, scheduled from October 10 to 12 at the Palais des Expositions in Nice, is already enjoying historic success. Three European records have been set before registrations even closed: Europe’s largest fighting games tournament, the continent’s largest Tekken tournament, and Europe’s largest Street Fighter tournament.
A clear political and cultural ambition
The Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, and Deputy President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, Christian Estrosi, emphasized that hosting EVO on a recurring basis is part of the city’s strategy of diversification and dynamism. By integrating esports and digital culture into its identity, Nice aims to become a “four-season destination”, attractive to both tourists and key players in innovation and new cultural industries.
While the European edition of the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) in 2025 has yet to take place, the organizers announced in Las Vegas that the world’s largest fighting games tournament will return to Nice in 2026, thus confirming its long-term anchoring on the French Riviera.
Scheduled from October 10 to 12 at the Palais des Expositions, the 2025 edition is already generating exceptional enthusiasm for this European premiere. EVO France 2025 is set to be a historic edition with more than 65 countries represented and three European records broken even before registrations closed:
- The largest fighting games tournament ever organized in Europe.
- The largest Tekken tournament ever recorded on the continent.
- The largest Street Fighter tournament in Europe.
These outstanding figures demonstrate both the international excitement surrounding the event and the growing attractiveness of Nice as a host city for esports.
Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, and Deputy President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region:
“It is with immense satisfaction that we announce the return of EVO in 2026, right here in Nice. This renewal demonstrates the organizers’ confidence in our ability to provide the optimal setting for one of the planet’s greatest esports events. This loyalty fully aligns with our ambition to make our city a stronghold of esports in Europe. We have decided to make Nice a four-season destination—innovative, dynamic, and open to all forms of culture, including digital and competitive culture. I once again thank all the teams involved, and I invite enthusiasts from around the world to an even more memorable edition in 2026.”
Source: City of Nice press release
Cultural and Creative Industries in Nice Côte d’Azur
- EVO France settles in Nice from October 10 to 12, 2025
- Botox(s) Connects Businesses with Contemporary Creation
- EVO 2026 will be held in Nice
- The ICC Nice Côte d’Azur sector highlighted at Game Camp France by Team Nice Côte d’Azur
- Nice Côte d’Azur hosted Business France for an immersion in the ICC sector
- Team Nice Côte d’Azur at Viva Technology 2025: at the heart of technological transitions and international attractiveness
- Cultural and Creative Industries: Nice Côte d’Azur strengthens its partnerships in Québec
- Film and audiovisual: success of the Production Tour to boost the attractiveness of Nice Côte d’Azur
