What was the original name of the Evolution Championship Series before it became EVO?

The Evolution Championship Series was originally called Battle by the Bay.

The event began in 1996 as a Street Fighter tournament held in Sunnyvale, California. It was organized by members of the online fighting-game community and initially focused on Street Fighter Alpha 2. The competition later expanded to include other major fighting games.

The tournament was known as Battle by the Bay before being renamed the Evolution Championship Series, commonly shortened to EVO. The name change reflected its broader scope and growing international importance in the fighting-game community.

EVO is often described as the world’s largest and longest-running fighting-game tournament. It became especially associated with games such as Street Fighter, Tekken, and Super Smash Bros., although its lineup has changed over time. The 1996 origin predates the modern esports festival format.