The official venue map for EVO 2025 has been uplifted by EVO, and players have been busy dissecting every inch. Known for hype clashes and chaotic energy, the annual fighting game tournament has given attendees an insight into what lies in wait for them when they deal with this year’s madness. The floor layout has an uncanny familiarity, but with a few major changes and some mysteries that are still under discussion in the FGC.
The map certainly looks nice at first glance and has a plethora of labeled zones, including main arena, free play, and sponsor booths. But some eagle-eyed players caught some weird things. Ice (@Night_Ice_) pretty much nailed the whole problem: “If the arena is the same minus being rotated, what’s changed from last year? Isn’t the fire marshal going to block access again since the capacity is more or less the same?” Yeah, what a valid question! The overcrowding really was a nightmare last year; some players were literally being turned away, barely able to get into the Top 8 area.
Meanwhile, the section currently called the “Red Bull Best Seat” is managing to spawn rumors. Yuki (@yuki_tan_) straight up asked EVO: “Is it a special viewing section or something else?” Crickets. Ice had a cynical comeback: “It’s seating for executives, devs, and big wigs. Not for us commoners.” Ouch.
Then, that does free play—casual matches for days and last-minute impromptu practices. Brandon (@insane805) was wondering if players would be allowed to bring their own setups, but FGC OG Jacob (@UGSHavard) immediately shut that down: “That should be in the BYOC (Bring Your Own Console) area. The free play zone should have additional consoles of the main games already.” So, if you were thinking about bringing your own, you might want to check the rules again.
Now, that doesn’t apply for artists and merch-clingers! Vera inquired, “Is the Artist Alley open to the public, or do you need a ticket for it?” The answer? “Everything in the venue requires an EVO ticket,” said MRYELLOW (@MRYELLOWLIVE). So don’t hold your breath for anything free here.
And how about that Marvel token placement? One player (@i_HeartTWICE) joked, “Damn, Marvel token got a prime spot as people enter the venue. That line to try it out will be long AF.” Too right-if you ask me, you better be standing in that line, Marvel vs Capcom lovers.
About the resolution of the map? Alex (@Lexano77) had to voice, “Some numbers are very hard to read. Do you have a map with higher resolution?” Thankfully, kind souls came to the rescue to recommend right-clicking (or tap-and-hold download on mobile) to get a higher resolution copy. Crisis averted.
But will EVO 2025 be saved from the catastrophe of last year, logistics-wise? It is with the alleged overcrowding, unclear seating policies, and, to this day, eternal struggles to find one’s way through the venue (shoutout to Mitch @XombieMitch, who’s admitted, “I will still get lost”)—players are hoping for a smooth experience.
One thing for sure—the ride is going to be crazy at EVO 2025, no matter if you will be there for the tourney, the merch, or just for the vibes; the map for this year has made us impatient about what’s coming. Now, if only someone could fully explain what that “sneak peek at something new” at the FlyQuest booth is all about… I suppose time will tell.
So, mark the date on your calendar, pack your fight sticks, and maybe print that insanely low-res map—EVO 2025 is coming around the bend.
