Preparing for Evo 2026: Pre‑Trip Checklist

Whether you’re a seasoned fighter or a hype newcomer, organizing your essentials early ensures you can focus on the matches, not the logistics.

Tournament Checklist

• Make sure you have your badge / registration. Check your confirmation e-mail or start.gg for instructions on badge pick-up.
• Plan your weekend. From pools to panels, showcases, contests, meet-ups and more. Check the programming schedule.
• Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: The food court and vendors will keep you fueled, but plan ahead. Evo days are long!
• Respect the Space: Be cool, be kind, and respect everyone.
• Meet the Community: Talk to people! The FGC is one of the most passionate and welcoming groups in gaming.

Travel Checklist

• Check in within 24 hours of your flight and make sure you have your ID / passport. Arrive early to the airport with ample time to get through security.
• Bring light, breathable clothing and sunscreen to beat the heat (Vegas is HOT in the summer!). We’ll be blasting the AC all weekend in the convention center, so we’d advise packing a light jacket or hoodie as well.
• Comfy shoes - the convention center floors are concrete so you’ll want to stay comfortable!
• Portable battery and chargers to keep your devices charged all weekend.
• Headphones, an essential item for any trip and for those of you who prefer to tune out the noise during matches!
• Bring your own controller / stick.

Bracket & Pool Etiquette Checklist (your TOs will love you if you do all of these!)

• Check your bracket placements and times ahead of schedule. Show up on time (or a little early!) and check in with your bracket referee!
• Respect the tournament staff and your fellow players. Everyone is here to have a good time and play some games!
• Button check! Give yourself and your opponent time to check your buttons and make sure your controller is working correctly on the setup.
• After your match, make sure your controller or stick is disconnected from the console and report the results to your bracket referee!
• If you need to step away or you have a conflict with another bracket, communicate with your referee and let them know.
• You can check your bracket/pools at start.gg/evo.

Transportation

Monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail can get you up and down the Vegas Strip in less than 15 minutes. This is an easy way to get to areas around the LVCC and avoid traffic.

For more information: https://www.lvmonorail.com/

Vegas Loop

The Vegas Loop provides quick and accessible transportation across the Las Vegas Convention Center. There is a stop at each hall at the convention center for ease of access across the campus.

You can also use the Vegas Loop to get to the airport and other parts of Las Vegas.

For more information: https://vegasloop.com/tickets.

Bus / Shuttles

The Deuce on the Strip bus line is a great option for getting around from the airport to your hotel, the convention center, and many other spots on the Strip.

Here is a full list of all the stops north and southbound: https://rtcws.rtcsnv.com/routepdf/deuce.pdf

There are also many shuttle options to and from the airport. You may want to check if your accommodations have this available.

Taxi / Rideshares

There are designated taxi and rideshare locations at the airport. There will be signs directing you to these locations inside the airport.

If you are looking to use taxis to get around Las Vegas, you’ll need to provide a physical address, such as a hotel taxi line. In other cities, you can hail a taxi but in Vegas, taxis are required to pick up passengers at specific pickup points.

Coordinate with your friends to cut prices on taxis and rideshares!

Evo Fantasy Presented by AT&T

This year we’ve got a brand new addition to Evo: Evo Fantasy Presented by AT&T. Whether you’re an attendee or watching from afar, everyone can join the competition with Evo Fantasy.

Think you’ve got a read on who is making top 8 at Evo 2026?

Evo Fantasy gives you and your fellow fighting game fans a chance to compete against each other to test your fighting game knowledge and win prizes throughout Evo.

For more information on Evo Fantasy: [https://evo.gg/fantasy] (https://evo.gg/fantasy)

Ready to get started? Create an account at the link below and register!

Sign up to participate here: https://upsets.gg/evo2026

The Tournament Floor: Heart of the Hype

The energy at Evo hits you the moment you walk into the main hall. Every match, every pop-off, every cheer unfolds across hundreds of setups running games from every corner of the fighting game universe. Whether you're signed up to compete or just want to see the action up close, the tournament floor is where you'll find the spirit of Evo at its core.

And don’t worry if you’re not a pro! There are casual setups where you can sit down, plug in, and play with anyone. It’s a great way to make new friends or get some matches in against international talent. Everyone speaks the language of fighting games.

Artist Alley

Looking to pick up a rare art print, hand-crafted fightstick parts, or the perfect fighting game shirt? Evo's Artist Alley is packed with incredible creators and merch booths from members of our community! Make sure you check out the official Evo merch store for some exclusive Vegas items. From official game gear to community fan art, this is your place to support artists and snag some one-of-a-kind finds.

The Evo Museum

Want to explore the culture of the FGC? Step into the Evo Art Exhibition, a curated experience celebrating the rich creative history of fighting games through official artwork, and never-before-seen pieces from legendary artists. It’s a quiet, thoughtful space to appreciate the craft that makes this community so visually iconic.

See a particular piece you’d love to take home? We’ll have prints available for purchase in the Evo Museum Gift Shop!

Right next door, don’t miss the Fightstick Exhibit, a display of iconic, custom, and historic fightsticks from across the ages. From Daigo’s original controller to fully modded LED builds and hand-painted one-of-a-kinds, this collection showcases the hardware that helped build the FGC, one match at a time. Plus, try your hand at your own Moment 37 Experience in a recreation of the most famous moment in the FGC.

Whether you’re an artist, a builder, or just a fan of craftsmanship, these exhibits offer a deeper appreciation for the passion that powers Evo beyond the screen.

The Voodoo Ranger Arcade

Need a break from the main floor? Head to the Voodoo Ranger Arcade, where the sounds of buttons and CRT screens bring back that old-school magic. It is the 2nd largest arcade in North America. Play free-to-play cabinets ranging from classics to modern indie fighters and mystery gems. It’s not just a nostalgia trip, it’s a core part of Evo’s love letter to fighting games that calls back to our roots.

Indie Fighters & New Discoveries

You’ll find the future of fighting games in the Indie Dev Gallery, a curated showcase of up-and-coming titles from passionate dev teams eager to show you what’s next. From pixel-perfect footsies to wild new mechanics, this is where innovation lives. Don’t just wait for the future! Play, give feedback, and support the next wave of creators.

Cosplay at Evo 2026

Love fighting games and cosplay? Don’t miss the Evo Las Vegas Cosplay Contest: Powered by Yogibo, where the community brings iconic characters to life with stunning detail and creativity. Whether you're dressing as a classic warrior or a modern favorite, this contest is open to all skill levels and all fighting game-inspired looks.

The contest takes place on Saturday at 5PM on the main Cosplay Stage, with judging panels made up of pro cosplayers and fighting game legends. Prizes will be awarded for Best Craftsmanship, Best Performance, and Best

Overall, plus a Fan Favorite award voted on live by the audience.

Not competing? This year we have new additions to our cosplay programming. Meet fellow cosplayers at cosplay meet-ups, the cosplay exhibition, AND the Cosplay Parade at 6PM on Saturday! Check the full cosplay schedule below:

Photo Opportunities around the Venue

Whether you're after that perfect IG story or a keepsake snapshot with fellow fans, Evo delivers plenty of memorable photo opportunities. Snap standout cosplayers during the official cosplay contest and parade. These events highlight incredible craftsmanship and get prime lighting on the community stage.

Just remember to be respectful and ask permission. Always ask attendees before close portraits, and be aware of camera lens rules, as pro-level lenses may be restricted. You’ll also be able to find fighting game themed backdrops and photo areas around the venue, so choose your stage, strike a pose and get to say cheese, I mean fight.

The Arena Finals Experience

On Saturday and Sunday, the energy shifts. The lights go down, the crowd packs in, and the best players in the world step onto the Evo Arena stage. These are the Top 8s — the climactic showdowns that crown champions.

Whether you’re screaming in the front row or watching the big screen, it is an emotional ride and the ultimate celebration of competitive greatness.

The arena is free to enter all day on Saturday, however will require a separate arena ticket on Sunday. If you can’t make it into the arena, have no fear! The Top 8s will also be viewable from the convention floor with large-scale screens and in-house audio, including live watch parties with a variety of fighting game creators and personalities on some of the other Evo stages.

Evo is more than a tournament. It's a weekend-long celebration of everything that makes fighting games special. Whether you're here to compete, cheer, cosplay, or discover something new, your first Evo is guaranteed to be unforgettable. Good luck and, most importantly, have fun.

We’ll see you in Vegas.