The Evolution Championship Series (Evo) has announced it will return to Nice, France, following a successful 2025 event.

Next year’s edition of Evo France will take place from October 9th to 11th, 2026.

Shortly after the inaugural edition of Evo France concluded, the fighting game tournament announced it would be returning to the French city for a second time.

Evo France 2025 marked the first time an Evo event had taken place in Europe, having hosted several tournaments across North America and Asia in recent years.

This year’s event saw the official tournament debut of 2XKO, a new 2v2 fighting game developed and published by Riot Games. French player Marwan ‘Wawa’ Berthe won the event, cementing himself as one of the world’s best players.

In addition to 2XKO, the event also featured several staples of the FGC scene, including Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. Evo France 2025’s Tekken 8 event saw the breakout of Neia, a 16-year-old who managed to make the second day of competition before finishing in 17th place.

Evo France 2025 is the last event of the year for the tournament organiser. The next Evo is set to take place from May 1st to 3rd, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.

Outside of its esports events, 2025 has been a time of change for Evo. In August, NODWIN Gaming became the majority stakeholder of the tournament after purchasing a stake previously held by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE).

September saw Saudi Arabian megaproject Qiddiya fully acquire Evo’s tournament operator RTS in a move that enables the megaproject to expand its involvement within the FGC and the wider esports industry.

In addition to the ownership change, the event is continuing to expand across the globe. In 2027, Evo makes its debut in Southeast Asia with the inaugural edition of Evo Singapore.

The vehicles in Battlefield 6 can instantly turn the tide of a match. Before setting foot on the battlefield, you should learn about the various vehicles on land and in the sky to prepare for what you may face.

Our BF6 vehicles tier list will walk you through the strongest trucks and planes available in EA’s new shooter, so let’s jump into the aerial action.

You’ll find fighter jets, trucks, tanks, and everything in between throughout your adventures in Battlefield 6. Our list ranks the best, mediocre, and worst vehicles in the new FPS by considering durability, offensive abilities, and other unique functions.

While compiling our Battlefield 6 vehicles tier list, we used the following factors to rank each one in the right spot.

This brief ranking will show you the strongest Battlefield 6 vehicles for multiplayer mode. There are a few faction variants available for most vehicle types, and they often share the same abilities, so you may see vehicles of the same type paired up in our list.

Here’s a breakdown of every vehicle in Battlefield 6, along with its most important functions.

The vehicles in S-Tier represent only the best of the best. The M77E FALCHION and PANTHERA KHT are incredibly powerful attack helicopters with a radar system and rockets that will blow away the opposition in Battlefield 6. The F-39E and F-61V are also strong aerial vehicles, as these attack jets deal a lot of damage and come equipped with flares to mount a successful offensive.

Players looking for a vehicle to counter enemies in the sky should consider hopping into a mobile anti-air vehicle like the CHEETAH 1A2 or GE-26 PAX. Compared to other vehicles, these vehicles are easy for beginners to use. With access to homing missiles, these anti-aircraft vehicles offer a perfect way to stop the opposition from advancing during a match.

Whether you need anti-air weaponry or a lift off the ground, S-Tier is packed with vehicles that are extremely strong and useful for traversal, too.

Combatants seeking a vehicle to fight infantry will appreciate the M3A3 Bradley and STRF 09 A4 because they can deal tons of damage to enemy players, although they struggle when facing heavy armour. Taking to the skies has never felt better than with Battlefield 6’s fighter jets, the F-97 KESTREL and SU-57, as both can counter other air vehicles, which is invaluable in BF6.

For a traditional tank, look no further than the M1A2 SEPV3 and LEO A4. These tanks are great for fighting players and vehicles, but they may lose a battle against a jet. If mastered, you can use A-Tier vehicles to control the battlefield, though they often have a weakness or limited capabilities.

The Glider 96 and Vector are trucks that can be challenging to control through tight corridors at top speeds, but the mounted turret will take out opponents in a flash, and they can hold multiple passengers. As such, they’re worth using to traverse large open spaces.

B-Tier has useful vehicles, but they usually aren’t equipped with as many perks as higher-tier jets and tanks.

On the higher end of C-Tier, we have the UH-79, a Transport Helicopter used by both factions. Mounted miniguns and flares grant the UH-79 an edge, but it’s still weaker than the attack helicopters and jets in Battlefield 6.

The Rugged MV740 is a quadbike that’s speedy and fun, but not practical. It’s easy for opponents to shoot you while you’re driving a quadbike, so it’s only useful for short trips on paths that are out of the enemy team’s sight.

C-Tier is home to vehicles that don’t offer much customisation or protection, and BF6’s quadbike is the perfect example of a lower-rank vehicle.

As of October 13, 2025, every vehicle found in Battlefield 6 is useful in its own way, so none deserve to be in D-Tier.

Battlefield 6’s release marks the launch of one of the biggest first-person shooters in recent history, and the vehicles available in-game are a key component. Whether you want to take to the skies or roll down the road, there will always be a vehicle that can meet your needs.

We determined jets and tanks to be the best vehicles, but there are even use cases for trucks if you’re traversing the sprawling maps in Battlefield 6.

For nearly a decade, the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) has stood as one of esports’ most recognisable and character-driven broadcasts.

Behind the screens lies a production team that ensures every moment feels larger than life. Yet, it’s the casters who turn those moments into stories. Their voices shape how fans experience every play, every upset and every defining moment of League of Legends esports.

Among those voices, Andrew ‘Vedius’ Day and Daniel Drakos have become emblematic of the LEC’s signature blend of depth and personality. Since joining the broadcast in 2016, they’ve done more than call the action. Through skits, musical performances and a self-aware sense of humour, the duo helped transform the LEC into a broadcast known as much for its creativity as for its competition.

In an interview with Esports Insider, Drakos and Vedius discussed what it means to be a caster. How they approach storytelling, manage fan expectations and maintain authenticity while performing at some of the biggest stages in esports. 

The LEC recently celebrated its tenth Summer Final, and over the years, shifting rosters, new organisations and balance changes have repeatedly reshaped the competitive landscape. Through it all, casters like Drakos and Vedius have had to adapt their storytelling to match the ever-changing rhythm of European League of Legends.

When the duo joined the broadcast team, the league was in a state of flux. Fnatic, the region’s long-standing powerhouse, had begun to falter after years of dominance, and the stage was set for a new chapter in Europe’s competitive history.

“We came in kind of right as Fnatic collapsed in 2016,” Drakos recalled. “It wasn’t immediately clear to people who was going to rise up.”

However, it soon became clear that the crown would be passed to G2 Esports — a team that won both that year’s EU LCS Spring and Summer splits. Ultimately, G2 would go on to define the region’s next era.

That transition shaped much of the decade that followed. “The sad thing about our league,” said Vedius, “is it’s just been very centred around G2.” It’s important to note that his comment wasn’t one of criticism, but rather of creative frustration.

For storytellers, having a single dominant team means fewer narrative branches to explore. “I’ve always been envious of how the LPL has had multiple different champions,” Vedius continued. “Dominance brings recognition, but variety creates richer stories and a more diverse fanbase.”

Drakos agreed and acknowledged that defeating G2 became the baseline for every story — a team that hunts every narrative. 

“You would love to say that when BDS beats MAD Lions [now KOI] or something like that, they’re the front runners,” he said. “But there’s always G2. It got to the point where it’s annoying,” Drakos admitted. “Because we know people get tired of hearing it.” 

Ironically, just a few hours after the interview, G2 would go on to claim its 17th domestic title.

Even so, both casters believe the competitive landscape is broadening again. The 2025 season, Drakos said, offered a glimpse of renewed parity at the top. Even with G2 still winning the LEC Summer Split and going to League of Legends Worlds 2025, the caster is “much more optimistic” that next year the LEC rankings will be shaken up for its top teams.

Drakos acknowledged that the league’s lower half was still “a hot mess,” but the overall field reminded him of the balanced years of 2021–2022, when MAD Lions, Rogue, Fnatic, and G2 all shared the spotlight.

While storytelling is central to casting, both Vedius and Drakos stated that their role is often misunderstood. Many fans, for instance, assume casters show favouritism because of certain calls before or during the matches they comment on.

“The number one thing that always gets me upset is bias,” said Drakos. “I think it’s really rare that a caster ever carries any more than a small amount of unconscious bias.”

Vedius agreed, but added nuance as every caster, he said, inevitably has regional pride. “I have EU bias, but I don’t shy away from that at international competition,” he said. “I do want EU teams to win.” 

That said, professionalism and objectivity always come first. As Drakos explained with a laugh, even in a matchup like G2 versus Gen.G — when it’s clear “they’re set up to get blasted” — he makes sure that personal excitement doesn’t slip into the broadcast. No matter how much he might be rooting for European teams off-camera, once the cast begins, accuracy and respect for both sides take priority.

Another misconception, Vedius highlighted, is that LEC casters pay only attention to their own league, when in reality the international broadcast community is deeply collaborative. “Because I have such a great working relationship with [other casters], I make a deliberate effort to communicate, talk to them and understand what are some of the most important stories,” he said. “At the end of the day, what we care about is that the pros are best represented.”

Vedius said that accuracy and respect are central to their approach. The goal is to represent players faithfully and keep them “at the forefront of everything.”

Casters, in his view, are there to highlight the competition — not themselves.

Beyond preparation and storytelling, one of the questions that often defines a caster’s philosophy is whether they believe their role is to inform or to entertain.

On live broadcasts, casters need to balance emotion with clarity, keeping fans engaged without losing sight of the game itself. It’s a constant internal negotiation between performance and explanation, one that both Drakos and Vedius approach from slightly different angles due to the nature of their respective roles.

For Drakos, the answer starts with audience connection. “Your job, first and foremost, is to be an entertainer,” he said. “But the show isn’t about you — it’s about the game, the competition, and the story of these players.”

In his view, the competition already provides all the material a caster needs, from the story itself to the possible angles from which it could be explored. “If you are not entertaining while you’re telling the story of Faker,” he added, “you’re messing up — because that story is insanely entertaining.”

On the other hand, Vedius has and needs to approach his job through different lenses. “As a colour caster, my responsibility is to inform the viewer of what’s happening,” he said.

“As long as you, as a viewer, understood what just happened, then I’ve done my job.” However, he underlines the distinction between educating and teaching. Casters don’t need to break down every mechanic, but they should ensure the audience understands the context and significance of each play.

Even with those differences, both agree that the best balance is a combination of showmanship, expertise and empathy, with the goal of making every moment feel significant, regardless of the viewer’s familiarity with the game. 

Comparing League of Legends to other esports, Drakos noted that, unlike FPS games — such as VALORANT — League’s complexity requires casters to provide context and guide the audience through pivotal moments. It’s about ensuring that every match, no matter how technical, feels meaningful and engaging even for newcomers.

“We don’t get asked a lot about the philosophy of casting,” Drakos continued. “But when we do, it’s clear that both of us see our work as something deeper than commentary. It’s storytelling in its most immediate form — live, unscripted, and shared.”

Whether it’s a veteran’s long-awaited redemption, an underdog’s breakthrough, or the intensity of a grand final, the casters’ goal is to make every moment matter. 

After nearly a decade together on the LEC stage, Drakos and Vedius have watched the league evolve from predictable rivalries into a more emotionally rich and competitive ecosystem. Yet the ways they will continue to shape League of Legends’ esports narrative will continue to evolve.

The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2025 in Nice, France has concluded, with various champions crowned across multiple FGC titles, including Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, and more.

The esports event took place from October 10th to 12th, 2025, and saw several players, including previous EVO champions, rise above the rest in their respective games.

Street Fighter 6 was ultimately won by Shin ‘Leshar‘ Moon-sup representing DRX, who fought against 2Game Esports’ Derek ‘Blaz‘ in the Grand Finals. Blaz won the first set after clinching a 3-2 comeback victory. However, as he qualified through the Lower Brackets, a second set was played to decide the overall winner of the tournament.

Leshar ultimately came out on top after winning the second set with a landslide 3-1 win, taking home €9,200 (~$10,790/£7,990). Since Leshar already qualified for Capcom Cup 12 through one of the 2025 Capcom Pro Tour Premier Tournaments, Blaz received the qualification spot as the runner-up.

Tekken 8’s tournament was won by seven-time EVO champion, Arslan ‘Arslan Ash‘ Siddique, representing Twisted Minds. Arslan Ash began the Final Brackets in the Lower Brackets, defeating Mirage Esports’ Fergus McGee to reach the Grand Finals.

He played two sets against Team Vitality’s Jeon ‘Jeondding‘ Sang-hyun, winning both 3-1 and 3-2 to be crowned the tournament’s champion. He scored 800 Tekken World Points and took home €7,400 (~$8,670/£6,440) in winnings.

Guilty Gear -STRIVE- saw ‘Tiger_Pop‘ representing ONi Global take the champion title. Beating out 95 other competitors, he has successfully qualified for the ARC World Tour 2025/2026 Finals. For his efforts, he took home €6,600 (~$7,740/£5,710).

Tiger_Pop climbed through the Lower Bracket’s to face VICE’s ‘PataChu, winning the first set 3-0 followed by a landslide 3-1 win to seize the champion title.

Five-time EVO champion, Zeng ‘Xiao Hai‘ Zhuojun, won FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves while representing KuaiShou Gaming. Climbing to the Grand Finals through the Lower Brackets, he won both sets with a landslide 3-1 score each against Team Falcons’ Yosuke ‘Kindevu‘ Ito.

The SNK World Championship 2025 Finals spot was awarded to third-place, ‘AbuOmar‘ of Team Falcons.

Dragon Ball FighterZ was won by BMS ESPORTS’ Jo’siah ‘Hikari‘ Miller, considered to be one of the best FighterZ players of all time.

The two-time EVO champion made it to the Grand Finals through the Lower Brackets, playing against Daniel ‘Gropis‘ Gras Llopis. Hikari was awarded €2,800 (~$3,280/£2,440) in winnings, and Gropis was awarded the qualification to the Masters Showdown 2025 event.

Various other FGC tournaments were also held during EVO France 2025.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising was won by Lucy ‘Usagi‘ Aramburu representing Freesias of Eden, who defeated Italian FGC player ‘Pixi’ 3-0 in the Grand Finals.

HUNTERxHUNTER NENxIMPACT saw ‘Shinanochan‘, otherwise known as ‘Heiho‘, win the event at EVO France 2025. He qualified through the Upper Brackets to the Grand Finals to play against ‘ROW1‘, where he lost the first set 2-3, but bounced back with a one-sided 3-0 victory in the final set.

There were also a variety of other side tournaments held, including EVO’s first official 2XKO tournament, alongside other titles such as Vampire Saviour, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, and more.

Team Vitality has won ESL Pro League Season 22, successfully defending the ESL Pro League Season 21 title it won in March.

The French esports organisation swept aside Team Falcons 3-0 in the Grand Final to secure its first Counter-Strike 2 tournament win in four months.

Team Vitality’s ESL Pro League campaign began with a surprise 2-0 defeat to Gentle Mates in Stage 2. Despite the opening loss, the team bounced back in clinical fashion, scoring 2-0 sweeps over GamerLegion, HOTU, and G2 Esports to secure a place in the Playoff bracket.

In the quarter-finals, FURIA managed to strike first with an opening win on Overpass before Team Vitality responded with strong defensive showings on Inferno and Nuke to best the Brazilian organisation and advance to the semi-final.

The semi-final against FaZe Clan was another hotly contested battle between two powerhouse rosters. FaZe Rain’s last dance looked to continue, emerging victorious on Mirage with a 22-20 scoreline to put Team Vitality on the back foot.

However, the French organisation responded with a strong offensive strategy, taking Inferno and Dust II to secure another appearance in a Tier 1 Grand Final.

A match against a Team Falcons side finding its feet looked to be a tantalising prospect, but a standout performance from Shahar ‘flameZ‘ Shushan on Inferno and Train set the ball rolling to round off the series on Dust II with a convincing 13-5 scoreline.

Following the defence of its ESL Pro League title, Team Vitality won’t be in action until early November, when the organisation heads to China to compete at IEM Chengdu 2025, one of the final Tier 1 events before attention turns to the StarLadder Budapest Major.

Pro League victory marks Team Vitality’s eighth tournament win of 2025, adding yet another accolade to its expanding collection.

2025 VCT Ascension EMEA will determine the two new teams that will join 2026 VCT EMEA to compete against partnered organisations.

The offline event is scheduled to begin on October 18th at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin and will feature eight teams battling across a two-stage format.

Ahead of the event, Riot Games has announced all the details for the 2025 VCT Ascension EMEA — from format to ticketing — and Esports Insider has compiled everything in one place.

Coming into Ascension, BBL PCIFIC will be in the spotlight thanks to its success in the Tier 2 circuit despite being a young team. It won VALORANT Challengers 2025 EMEA: Stage 1, finished second in Stage 2, but was eliminated early in Stage 3.

Another squad that is worth keeping an eye on is Twisted Minds, the only team more successful than BBL PCIFIC, as it won VCL 2025 MENA: Resilience Stage 1 and Stage 2, while securing fourth place in Stage 3.

Here’s the full list of teams participating in 2025 Ascension EMEA:

All teams will be divided into two groups and will compete in a GSL format with best-of-three matches. Check out the opening matches below:

The roster that wins twice will qualify for the Ascension Match, while those that lose twice will be eliminated. The Ascension matches will feature the top two teams from each group and will be a best-of-five series.

Here is the full schedule of the event: 

Moreover, the tournament will be played on VALORANT patch 11.07 map pool, which includes Abyss, Ascent, Bind, Corrode, Haven, Lotus, and Sunset.

The Group Stage matches will not feature a live audience; however, both stages will be streamed live on the official VCT EMEA YouTube and Twitch channels. Moreover, Riot Games will be releasing a limited number of tickets for the final two Ascension Matches at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin.

These tickets will be available from October 23rd on the official VALORANT Esports EMEA Tickets website.

Riot Games‘ latest foray into the competitive esports arena 2XKO will now be covered by DATA.BET’s new betting line.

According to DATA.BET, the fast-paced style of the 2XKO format introduces a pattern of brief but impactful bouts that closely resembles the intensity of the best fighting games. The goal of the company is to utilise this structure to attract bettors seeking regular wagering opportunities and optimise player excitement.

Along with match-specific Winner options, DATA.BET’s coverage at launch focuses on important pre-match markets like the overall Winner and To Reach the Final for tournament results.

As the 2XKO betting market develops, there are plans to extend offerings to individual Map Winner selections.

On October 10th–12th, 2025, in Nice, France, over 250 players competed for top fighting titles at the 2 NICE KO tournament, which took place concurrently with the game’s launch.

The fighting game genre’s mainstay, short-form, high-stakes gameplay, is what makes the FGC an enticing opportunity for sportsbooks.

The fast-paced, intense gameplay works well in betting settings where regular matches and results keep players interested.

With its release of betting coverage for 2XKO, DATA.BET is already looking to establish itself in this new market.

In order to satisfy the growing demand for esports events, DATA.BET plans to offer operators and partners new content by emphasising a variety of pre-match and in-tournament outcomes.

The speed and intensity of the 2XKO format are likely to increase its appeal and have an effect on betting and viewership in international markets as esports continues to grow on a global scale.

Gambling company Intralot has completed its €2.7bn (~£2.3bn) acquisition of Bally’s International Interactive business from Bally’s Corporation.

The deal was completed at the same time that new Intralot shares were formally listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, signifying the diversification of Intralot’s business.

The transaction comes after a successful Combined Offering of new shares to Greek and international investors, which was planned as a step in the acquisition process.

Sokratis Kokkalis, the chairman of Intralot, rang the opening bell at the Athens Stock Exchange to commemorate the company’s 26-year history in the Greek capital market. With 1,697 employees worldwide, Intralot reported €168m (~£146m) in revenue and €60m (~£52m) in EBITDA for the first half of 2025.

Due in large part to growth prospects in the online gaming channel, the acquisition positions Intralot as a gaming group with yearly revenues anticipated to reach roughly €1.1b (~£956m).

Intralot has raised €880m (~£765m) through share and bond issuances during its time on the Athens Stock Exchange. This most recent expansion was made possible by recent capital increases and bond loans.

Investor participation and effective transaction execution have further strengthened Intralot’s position, as highlighted during the official listing ceremony.

The Vice Chair of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, Natasa Stamou, commented on the deal: “Intralot not only reaffirms its confidence in the Greek market, but also demonstrates that Greek companies with strong business value can reach out to major international investors and succeed.

“It stands as an example of effective corporate governance, the creation of synergies, the utilisation of technology, and the enhancement of liquidity — all driven by clear objectives and measurable results. It is proof that the true, substantial upgrade of our market is already underway. The Hellenic Capital Market Commission, with a modern supervisory approach, continues to monitor and remain close to companies that are evolving.”

The gaming industry’s ongoing trend of consolidation and digital expansion is reflected in Intralot’s ability to take advantage of cross-market synergies and scale following the completion of the Bally’s International Interactive acquisition.

This transaction is viewed by regulatory agencies and industry participants as evidence of the efficiency and dynamic development occurring in Greece’s gaming and financial sectors.

Evo France 2025 was the largest fighting game event in Europe to date, showcasing a ton of talent in a variety of fighting game titles. This includes the first 2XKO tournament in the First Impact series.

French player Marwan ‘Wawa’ Berthe came out on top, becoming one of the best 2XKO players in the world at the start of the game’s esport scene.

Riot’s 2v2 fighting game takes popular champions from League of Legends and turns them into dynamic fighters. There’s been a lot of hype (and frustration) ahead of the game’s launch, with Riot announcing a lot of esports initiatives to increase the game’s presence in the fickle FGC. This has included the First Impact series, which started with a tournament at Evo France in Nice.

The first-ever First Impact tournament at Evo brought a couple big names in the fighting game scene to the France. The most notable were Dominique ‘SonicFox’ McLean, an Evo champion that is no stranger to tackling all types of fighting games, and William ‘Leffen’ Hjelte, a Super Smash Bros. Melee veteran who has also been dominating in other fighting titles.

It almost seemed like one of them would be the clear winner in this new scene, but they weren’t alone. Jo’siah ‘Hikari’ Miller was also in attendance, a world champion and Evo champion for Dragon Ball FighterZ – he even won for this title at Evo France 2025. Steve ‘Supernoon’ Carbajal is another American fighting game icon that wasn’t to be ignored.

Wawa is himself an Evo champion, bringing his experience and skills in the fighting game scene to 2XKO. When it comes to Dragon Ball FighterZ, he’s won plenty of large events, including Evo and the 2022 World Championship.

There were 256 total competitors, but Wawa really had no issue taking them down. Wawa even beat SonicFox when they met in the Winners Semi-Finals, taking the victory 2-1. Wawa remained on Winners throughout Top 8, beating Supernoon to make it to the Grand Finals. In Losers, Supernoon fought through SonicFox to make it back to face Wawa once more.

In the end, Wawa won 3-1 against Supernoon, making it a pretty impressive and one-sided Grand Finals. This showed the French players’ overall domination in the early 2XKO scene.

SonicFox ended up in third and Leffen in 7-8th, making the Top 8 overall impressive. Still, Wawa is currently the one to beat in the 2XKO esport scene.

Just won 2XKO at Evo France!” Wawa tweeted. “Congrats to my GOATs, it was so fun playing them again. Merci la famille pour le support c’était aussi incroyable… Can’t wait to play and learn more about the game!”

Wawa is currently a free agent.