Capcom has reversed course on a controversial plan to charge fans to watch the finals of its premier fighting game tournaments. The Capcom Cup and Street Fighter League World Championship, previously offered as free streams, will now be available for a significantly reduced price of $10, and a free, albeit limited, stream will be offered within the Street Fighter 6 game itself.
The initial announcement at Tokyo Game Show 2025, detailing a $40 pay-per-view price tag, sparked immediate and widespread backlash from the Street Fighter 6 community. Fans voiced concerns over restricting access to events that traditionally served as a cornerstone of community engagement and a marketing tool for the franchise. The move was particularly jarring given the increasing accessibility of esports content through platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
The decision to implement a paywall was, according to reports, driven by revenue targets set by a department within Capcom separate from the game’s development team. In a surprising revelation, Street Fighter 6 director Takayuki Nakayama publicly stated he and producer Shuhei Matsumoto were “shocked” to learn of the plan, indicating a disconnect between the esports business side of Capcom and the creative teams responsible for the game itself. Nakayama explained that revenue goals and assigned tasks differ fundamentally between departments within the company.
The initial pricing structure proposed ¥4,000 (approximately $27) for each event – the Capcom Cup 12 Finals on , and the SFL World Championship on – or ¥6,000 (roughly $40) for a bundled stream. This pricing was met with immediate criticism, with many arguing it undermined the spirit of community building inherent in esports.
Capcom’s esports business department manager, Tetsuya Tabuchi, issued an apology on X (formerly Twitter) alongside the announcement of the price reduction. While the statement acknowledged the delay in addressing the community’s concerns, it offered little explanation for the initial decision. Tabuchi’s post confirmed the $10 price point for access to both tournaments and the availability of a free stream within Street Fighter 6. However, the in-game stream will lack the commentary provided in the paid broadcast.
This isn’t the first time Capcom has faced scrutiny for its approach to esports broadcasting. The attempt to revive a pay-per-view model, reminiscent of the early 2000s when platforms like OnGameNet charged for access to high-level StarCraft: Brood War tournaments, was seen by many as an outdated strategy in an era dominated by free streaming services like Twitch. The rise of platforms like Justin.TV (now Twitch) fundamentally shifted expectations for esports accessibility.
The situation highlights a growing tension within the gaming industry regarding the monetization of esports. While publishers seek new revenue streams, there’s a delicate balance to be struck between profitability and maintaining the community-driven ethos that fuels the popularity of competitive gaming. The backlash against Capcom’s initial plan underscores the importance of listening to fan feedback and understanding the cultural dynamics of the esports landscape.
Interestingly, the practice of pay-per-view esports isn’t entirely unfamiliar in some parts of the world. Reports indicate that pay-per-view for esports is relatively common in South Korea and Japan, though it remains less prevalent in Western markets. This cultural difference may have played a role in Capcom’s initial assessment of the market, though it clearly underestimated the negative reaction from its global fanbase.
The swift reversal suggests Capcom recognized the potential damage to its brand reputation and the risk of alienating its loyal player base. The company’s willingness to compromise, offering both a reduced-price option and a free stream, demonstrates a responsiveness to community concerns. However, the incident raises questions about internal communication and decision-making processes within Capcom, particularly regarding the alignment of business goals with the interests of the game’s development team and its players.
The Capcom Cup 12 Finals and SFL World Championship are now scheduled to stream live on and , respectively. Replays will be available on for the Capcom Cup and for the SFL World Championship.
