The fighting game stage opened this weekend at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris. Following Virtus.pro's PUBG triumph, which we've already reported on, it was the turn of the fighting game contingent – with a clear outcome in Fatal Fury and a still open situation in Street Fighter 6.
Fatal Fury: DarkAngel Leaves No Doubt in the Grand Finals
In the Grand Final of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, DarkAngel decisively defeated Mi2ha4 with a 5:1 score, securing the tournament victory. Despite a strong preliminary round, Mi2ha4 ultimately settled for second place – DarkAngel's consistent performance in the final match proved insurmountable.
Street Fighter 6: Group Stage Still Underway
While everything is already decided in Fatal Fury, renowned professionals are still battling for playoff spots in Street Fighter 6. Among them are Xiaohai, MenaRD, Arslan Ash, Punk, and Fuudo – a collection of titles and prize money rarely seen together at a single tournament. The group stage is currently ongoing, with the finals scheduled for August 1st. As with the other disciplines of the tournament, the placements earned here also contribute to the overarching Club Championship standings of the Esports World Cup, where organizations compete for an overall victory across all games.
For the fighting game scene, the Esports World Cup has long been more than just another tournament: the unusually high prize pools compared to the community tournament landscape, and the gathering of practically all top players in one place, make the event one of the few moments in the year where the complete world elite of multiple games compete simultaneously. The fact that DarkAngel, a name previously rather unknown outside the community bubble, claimed the title also demonstrates how truly tight the competition at the top has become.
Source: EventHubs
Are you following the Street Fighter 6 playoffs leading up to the August 1st finals? Tell us in the comments who your favorite is!
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