Capcom's new move to pay for livestreaming access to the Capcom Cup 12 Finals and SFL: World Championship is being met with harsh criticism from the fighting game community (FGC).
Based on social media posts, fans and players are dissatisfied with the development, which they think may ruin the accessibility and potential of esports streams.
Capcom's Shift to Pay-Per-View
Capcom's Sept. 28 announcement stated that the Capcom Cup 12 Finals and SFL: World Championship in March 2025 will be streamed through a pay-per-view option.
According to Sports Illustrated, the tickets for these events will become available beginning Nov. 12, with a single-day ticket priced at 4,000 Yen and a two-day ticket option priced at 6,000 Yen.
Interestingly, the events leading up to the March finals, from March 11 to 13, will still be available for free on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
This is the first time in Capcom's esports history that they will charge for a tournament of this size, usually free to watch. Although the action is viewed as trying to cash in on the success of "Street Fighter 6," it has been met with negative responses in the community.
FGC Reacts to 'Splitting the Scene'
The change has disappointed many, who believe it diminishes the game's accessibility. Top players like Adel "Big Bird" Anouche expressed shock, calling it "surprising" and "weird." The paywall will limit co-streaming and cut off fan-run watch parties and denying the FGC access to free streams and co-streaming partnerships.
This is a very surprising and weird decision from Capcom
— Adel (@Bigbird_fgc) September 28, 2025
This isn't going to be a positive thing for them https://t.co/3KMdEZiwG6
Sajam, a popular name among the community, highlighted how the ticket prices, especially across various areas, might seem outrageous. He also added how this action restricts the international exposure and influence of the event, particularly when individuals depend on free streams to remain engaged with the competitive environment.
It's hard to justify a PPV experience for people in general, but particularly because in many places in the world the price will be a tough ask to spend.
— Sajam (@Sajam) September 28, 2025
This also kills all costreams I would guess? https://t.co/i1a2N0lDmX
How Will Capcom's PVP Impact Viewership, FCG Growth
With pay-per-view being introduced, numerous players and fans expect a significant decline in viewership for the finals. The larger FGC community is also worried that this monetization strategy will create a bad precedent for other large tournaments, including the Tekken World Tour and EVO, which have been free to watch historically.
While in-person charges for large events make sense, most believe the model does not fit overseas streams. The reaction presumes that this paywall will decrease interest and viewership in the "Street Fighter" esports scene, ultimately damaging the long-term growth of competitive fighting games.
Will Capcom's Pay-Per-View Model Succeed?
The intense backlash against Capcom's pay-per-view shift shows a weakness in their plan. Although the idea may be to make money off popular events, the overwhelming criticism shows that the FGC is not going to pay for entry. This could be a wake-up call for Capcom to reassess its method, but only time will tell if the company truly cares about that.
Originally published on Player One
