"The Capcom Cup started in 2013 with Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition as the Japanese publisher sought to professionalize and take more direct ownership of its hit fighting franchise's competitive scene. It expanded into multi-month tours leading up to the big finals, with all of the biggest matches streamed for free online. And it's continued that way, until now. Capcom announced this week that the 2026 finals for Street Fighter 6 will be a pay-per-view event, and fans are not happy."
"The two-time Capcom Cup champion hails from the Dominican Republic and noted, as many pros have, that locking esports behind a paywall particularly impacts fans from regions where the financial barriers are already higher. "I find it hard to accept," he wrote. "I understand that in Japan, this is considered normal, and fortunately, the community is still able to support each other in this way. However, in many regions, including my own, there is hardly even the leeway to play this game.""
"Both will take place live at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena in Tokyo, Japan, where front row seats will cost roughly $135. In a major break with the past, however, even virtual viewership will be ticketed this time around. The pay-per-view ticket price will be roughly $40 for both days. Anyone who doesn't want to pay will have to wait until a week later to stream the matches online for free."
Capcom Cup began in 2013 with Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition as Capcom moved to professionalize and manage the competitive scene. The event grew into multi-month tours that culminated in finals with matches streamed for free online. Capcom announced that the 2026 Street Fighter 6 finals will be pay-per-view, ending free virtual access. Professional players and fans reacted negatively, citing that paywalls disproportionately affect viewers in regions with higher financial barriers. The finals are scheduled for March 14 with the Street Fighter League World Championship on March 15 at Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, with front row seats about $135 and virtual tickets roughly $40 for both days.
Read at Kotaku
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