The Esports World Cup has dramatically expanded opportunities for Street Fighter 6 competitors with the announcement of a $50,000 Last-Chance Qualifier that will accommodate 512 players vying for 10 coveted spots in the main tournament. This represents a significant increase from last year’s qualifier, which only offered four positions to participants.
The qualifier tournament will take place from August 14-16, 2025, at Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, just one week before the main Street Fighter 6 Esports World Cup event scheduled for August 21-23. Sign-ups opened on June 13th, marking the beginning of what promises to be one of the most competitive fighting game qualifiers in recent memory.
This expansion reflects the growing prominence of the Esports World Cup in the fighting game community, particularly as it offers a $1 million prize pool for the main Street Fighter 6 tournament, matching the prestigious Capcom Cup in terms of financial stakes. The 2025 winner will also secure an automatic qualification spot for Capcom Cup 12, adding another layer of significance to the competition.
The Last-Chance Qualifier represents a crucial pathway for players who haven’t secured their spots through other qualifying events such as Capcom Cup 11, Street Fighter League Championships, or major tournaments like EVO Japan and Combo Breaker. With legendary players like Capcom Cup 11 winner Kakeru and EVO Japan 2025 champion MenaRD already confirmed for the main event, the pressure is mounting for remaining competitors to prove themselves worthy of joining this elite field.
Tournament Structure and Prize Distribution
The 512-player Last-Chance Qualifier will feature a dedicated prize pool of $50,000, though specific prize distributions haven’t been confirmed yet. The top 10 finishers will earn their spots in the main tournament, joining 38 other qualified competitors in what promises to be the most competitive Street Fighter 6 event of the year.
Street Fighter 6 (Image via Getty)The main tournament follows a unique three-phase format designed to test consistency and skill across multiple elimination rounds. Phase 1 features 12 groups of 4 players each in a double-elimination format, with group winners advancing directly to Phase 3 while runners-up proceed to Phase 2. Phase 2 utilizes a round-robin system with 4 groups of 3 players, and Phase 3 concludes with a single-elimination bracket featuring best-of-9 matches.
Notable Qualified Players and Competition Level
The confirmed roster already includes some of the most formidable names in competitive Street Fighter. Reigning champion Xiao Hai, who claimed victory in 2024 and earned $300,000 plus a $50,000 MVP bonus, has automatically qualified to defend his title. Other notable competitors include legendary players like Tokido, Punk, and Bonchan, ensuring the competition will be fierce.
The tournament’s significance extends beyond prize money, as it serves as a mid-season finale for Street Fighter 6’s competitive circuit. With the winner earning a spot at Capcom Cup 12, which features its own $1 million prize pool, the stakes couldn’t be higher for participants.
Platform Innovation and Future Implications
An interesting development is the potential use of the Nintendo Switch 2 for qualifier matches, following recent rule changes that make the platform officially competitively viable for Street Fighter 6. This technological advancement could influence how future tournaments are conducted and may provide more accessibility for competitors.
The Esports World Cup continues to establish itself as a premier destination for fighting game competition, with Street Fighter 6 joining other major titles like TEKKEN 8 and the newly released FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves in the tournament lineup. This expansion of the Last-Chance Qualifier demonstrates the organization’s commitment to providing opportunities for players at all competitive levels.
