Capcom responds to Street Fighter 6 pay-per-view backlash: “PPV tickets sales are on sale November 12”

Earlier this fall, Capcom upset the fighting game community by announcing that the Street Fighter League: World Championship 2025 and Capcom Cup 12 would be pay-per-view. Basically, the cheap and undersupported FGC would have to pay to watch the biggest Street Fighter 6 tournaments of the year.

The largest pros in the fighting game scene reacted with frustration, including Adel “Big Bird” Anouche: “This isn’t going to be a positive thing for them.”

As the anger over the pay-per-view continued for over a month, Capcom decided to share an update regarding the new system and it doesn’t really help.

Capcom reacts to pay-per-view complaints

On October 26, Capcom wrote a long statement on X explaining its decision to use pay-per-view for big tournaments – and it does reflect the community’s initial thoughts that Capcom is copying its structure in Japan in hopes the rest of the world will also gladly pay for matches.

“Our goal is to grow these tournaments into internationally competitive events by reinvesting in participating players and teams, our partners, and related business areas,” Capcom stated. “We sincerely acknowledge the many opinions we have received from everyone and are carefully discussing the matter with all relevant parties.

“As a result, the coordination process is taking some time.”

Capcom also noted that the pay-per-view ticket prices that were promised earlier were still not available. The company asked for “continued patience” but I didn’t even know the FGC was patient to begin with.

Oh, and then they said that pay-per-view tickets for the Street Fighter League: Pro-JP Playoffs & Grand Finals will be available on November 12th. Yipee!

The community responded exactly how you’d expect:

  • I’m not paying
  • I’m not watching
  • Streamers won’t be able to livestream your matches
  • Make money with sponsorships and exclusive skins instead
  • Imagine paying to watch a mirror match full of throw loops
  • You’re going to lose money

Nathan “Mister Crimson” Massol said: “Most of our business model teams are based on visibility. By locking the finals behind a pay-per-view stream, you’re actually going against your players; the same players who invest thousands of hours making Street Fighter more popular.”

In other words, Capcom’s response said a whole lotta nothing. Not even the prices.

Can’t wait.


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Author
Image of Olivia Richman
Olivia Richman
Deputy Editor
Olivia has been an esports and gaming journalist for around 10 years, including work for Inven Global, Team Liquid, Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and Esports.gg. She is a member of the FGC and wants to create content that showcases their uniqueness and passion in the esports and gaming space. When she isn't playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, she is playing board games, setting up her Nintendo 64 corner in her game room, finding new food spots, and arguing about why Kirby is the strongest being in the entire universe.